Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

What is the meaning of life? For the unsaved person, the meaning of life is to strive for money, power, possessions, and pleasure. But eventually they come to the point of finding out its all meaningless. None of these can satisfy the soul or give you eternal purpose. In fact a true Atheist will tell you, “there is no meaning or purpose for life”. This is why we find the world in such depression and disarray today, a Godless society trying to find purpose for their soul

The true purpose and meaning of life is very simple, its all about Jesus Christ. If you can’t understand this, then you have never been in the pit before. You have never walked through the valley of death without the Great Shepherd. Unfortunately many people need to find out the hard way, when you hit rock bottom, then you start looking up. 

The Apostle Paul said “I press toward the mark of the prize of the higher calling of God in Christ Jesus” Non-believers would look at Paul’s life and say he’s a fool. He gave up everything he had to serve The Lord and spread the gospel of Christ. However Paul understood, this was his “higher calling” this was his eternal purpose. Think about this, everything you do for the Kingdom of God has eternal value, everything you do for this world is fading away.

Jesus said “Lay or build up yourselves treasure in Heaven, where neither moth or rust will destroy” (Matthew 6:20) Christ wasn’t talking about building up your bank account or getting a big promotion, Jesus was talking about doing The Lords work for Gods Kingdom, fulfilling the Great Commision. Every soul you reach with the gospel, helps build Gods Kingdom

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Philippians 3:15-16

This is a process of sanctification, as we grow in our walk with Christ, we understand what God wants for our lives. We understand the only way to find true peace and happiness, is to abide in Christ, and be in the will of God. Anything outside of this, will create turmoil in the soul and you will never find peace or rest then

As Paul said “God shall reveal even this unto you” we as Born Again believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, so be led by the Holy Spirit. Don’t neglect the guidance of Gods spirit, answer the higher calling from Christ, to serve and love The Lord God with all your heart, soul, and strength, Amen

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:7-9

As John the Baptist said “He must increase, and I must decrease” (John 3:30) Our lives are all about serving Jesus Christ and exalting him. Whatever things or positions we gain, nothing can ever replace or fill the knowledge and relationship we have with our Lord Jesus Christ. 

It’s about keeping things in an eternal perspective instead of a temporal worldly perspective. The people of this world strive for more money, more possessions, more vacations, however the children of God should strive to do the will of God. To sow seeds for the Kingdom. To use the gifts and talents given to us by God, to use them for the glory of God and to build his eternal Kingdom

As the Apostle Paul said “Not having mine our righteousness, which is of the law, but which is faith of Christ” The Law of God doesn’t make us righteous, in fact it does the opposite, it shows how wretched we are, and how much we need a Savior. Our salvation comes from faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by our own works

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Philippians 3:10-11

What should be our life goals? To conform to the image of Christ, that we may know him personally, and Christ knows us. As Jesus said “My sheep know my voice, and the follow me” (John 10:27) Everything we do should be for the glory of God, Jesus Christ must increase and we must decrease! Amen!

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Philippians 3:1-6

Ever since the beginning of time, people have been trying to “earn their salvation”. We see this alot today, with the Hebrew Roots movements, people think by “Keeping The Torah” ,they can save their soul. Nobody can keep The Law, as Jesus said “Nobody is good (morally excellent) except God alone (Mark 10:18) This is where many false religious groups are born, the false thought that you can save yourself

As the Apostle Paul said “We have no confidence in the flesh”, Yes we are obedient to our God and Savior , Jesus Christ. Yes , we produce fruit from the Holy Spirit, but none of these things are for us to boast about. As the Bible said “All our good deeds are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) 

The Bible clearly tells us “For we all have sinned , and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Every single person is a wretched sinner in need of a Savior. If we didn’t have transgressions, there would be no need for a savior, which is why many reject the real Jesus Christ of the Bible. People believe they are righteous in their own eyes, but the reality is they are wretched, spiritually  poor, and miserable (Revelation 3:17)

If anyone had a reason to brag its the Apostle Paul, he was a Pharisee, from the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day. All the boxes were checked off for Paul to have been a holy man, but what did Christ reveal to Paul? As Paul said “O wretched man that I am, who can deliver me from this body of death”? (Romans 7:24)

Paul was enlightened by the Holy Spirit, that he was a wretched sinner who needed Jesus Christ. This is how you are saved, by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not on any of our works (Ephesians 2:8-9) We can continue to try and earn our salvation, but will always fail, because as Jesus said “You must be Born Again” (John 3:3)

Don’t put your faith in your religion, don’t put your faith in your good works or deeds, put all your faith in trust in the only one who can save you, Jesus Christ, Amen!