Pastor Benny Collins, Assistant Pastor of Outreach
Philippians 3:13–14
As we step into a new year, many people around the world cling to traditions and superstitions for good luck—eating certain foods, cleaning the house, or even breaking dishes. In Spain and Latin America, people walk around with empty suitcases hoping for a year of travel. In Denmark, breaking plates on friends’ doorsteps is considered a sign of good fortune. In Ecuador, burning old photos symbolizes leaving the past behind.
These customs may be interesting, but as followers of Christ, we turn from superstition to the truth of God’s Word. In Philippians 3:13–14, Paul gives us a powerful picture of the Christian life using the metaphor of an athlete running a race:
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul admits he hasn’t arrived—he hasn’t reached perfection. He’s still growing, still running, still pressing forward. And so are we. Christ has redeemed us and made us new, yet we still struggle to fully know Him. So how do we live with a forward-facing faith? Paul gives us three steps:
1. Forget What Lies Behind
Paul says, “One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind.” Like an athlete, you can’t run looking backward. Forgetting doesn’t mean erasing the gospel or biblical truth—it means letting go of failures, hurts, grudges, and even past successes that lead to pride or complacency.
Think about Paul’s past: persecuting Christians, dragging believers to prison, watching Stephen be stoned. That shame could have paralyzed him. But Paul chose to forget and move forward.
What do you need to leave behind? Broken relationships? Financial stress? Guilt? Like New York’s “Good Riddance Day,” where people shred bad memories to start fresh, we too must release what weighs us down—by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Strain Toward What Lies Ahead
Paul writes, “Straining forward to what lies ahead.” This is not casual effort—it’s maximum exertion, like an athlete stretching toward the finish line. What lies ahead? Christ Himself. He is the goal and the prize.
Hebrews 12:1–2 says:
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
Be intentional, be focused, and have goals in 2026.
- Commit to weekly worship and Bible study.
- Surround yourself with accountability.
- Pursue spiritual maturity and ministry opportunities.
3. Press On Toward the Prize
Paul says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The phrase “press on” in Philippians 3:14 comes from the same Greek word used in Philippians 3:6, where Paul described himself as a “persecutor of the church.” Before knowing Christ, Paul “pressed on” to persecute Christ. After Paul’s conversion, he “pressed on” to know Christ. Are you “pressing on” in the things of this world or “pressing on” to know Christ?
Paul’s relentless pursuit changed direction: from opposing Christ to pursuing Christ as the ultimate prize.
The prize is not a temporary trophy—it’s an eternal relationship with Jesus. William Hendriksen notes:
“When perfection is called goal, it is viewed as the object of human striving. When it is called prize, it is viewed as the gift of God’s sovereign grace.”
Your Challenge for 2026
- Put the past behind.
- Pursue what lies ahead.
- Press on toward the prize.
Are you in the race? Are you running with endurance? Let’s make this year one of forward-facing faith—eyes fixed on Jesus.
