(Php) 3:11-12, 14 CJB “so that somehow I might arrive at being resurrected from the dead. It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal — no, I keep pursuing it in the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yeshua took hold of me. I keep pursuing the goal in order to win the prize offered by God’s upward calling in the Messiah Yeshua.”
Pursuing Christlikeness is the calling of every man who belongs to Jesus. We receive salvation through faith in Christ, yet Scripture commands us to make every effort to grow. God’s grace establishes our standing before Him and empowers the obedience that follows.
Jesus had taken hold of Paul. Therefore, Paul kept pursuing the purpose for which Jesus had saved him.
So must we.
Pursuing Christlikeness Begins with What Jesus Has Done
Immediately before this passage, Paul rejects confidence in his own righteousness. He wants the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9).
His acceptance before God rests on Jesus.
Through Christ’s death for our sins and His resurrection, believers receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God. We are justified—declared righteous through faith—and set apart as God’s people.
However, being set apart does not mean our conduct has already reached perfection.
Paul openly acknowledges that he has not reached the goal. He still awaits resurrection and the completion of God’s transforming work.
His response is continued pursuit.
The man who trusts Christ’s finished work must also take seriously Christ’s claim upon his unfinished life.
Grace Produces an Obedient Life
God calls us to become increasingly consistent in practice with who we are in Christ.
We belong to Him. Our choices should reflect that belonging.
Earlier, Paul commanded believers to work out their salvation because God was working among them, producing both the desire and the action that please Him (Philippians 2:12–13).
Our effort depends on His power.
The Holy Spirit enables us to resist temptation, renew our thinking, deny ourselves, and obey God’s Word. Nevertheless, we must respond. We turn from sin, practice righteousness, and keep following Jesus when obedience costs us something.
For Christian men, this reaches into ordinary decisions.
Will we remain sexually faithful? Tell the truth at work? Use money generously? Serve our families? Accept correction? Speak about Jesus?
Pursuing Christlikeness gives our purpose, provision, and priorities a common direction: pleasing the Savior who purchased us.
The Church Must Teach Both Assurance and Holiness
Too often, churches offer reassurance without calling people to repentance and growth.
We speak about what Jesus has done for us while giving little attention to how He commands us to live.
Sexual immorality, the rejection of biblical teaching about sex and marriage, disregard for unborn life, greed, and self-indulgence all require biblical correction. No professing Christian should assume that God’s love makes obedience optional.
At the same time, temptation, unwanted feelings, or a particular struggle should never be confused with a settled refusal to obey. Faithful believers struggle against sin, confess their failures, and depend on Christ’s mercy as they continue following Him.
The distinction matters.
We must neither excuse rebellion nor crush repentant people.
There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). That assurance strengthens our pursuit of holiness. Forgiven people can approach God honestly, receive correction, and begin obeying again.
Paul pursued the prize because Christ had taken hold of him.
Our churches must teach men to do the same.
Run Today’s Play
Where does your daily conduct need to reflect more clearly that you belong to Jesus?
Identify one command you have neglected and take a specific step of obedience today.
Ask the Holy Spirit for strength, and invite a trusted Christian man to encourage your growth.
Jesus took hold of you for a purpose. Keep pursuing Him. Let your life display the grace you have received.
