Press On!

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Paul begins this chapter by pointing us to the fact that it is the righteousness of Christ alone that allows for our salvation.  All of our efforts, background, and ceremonies are of no avail in providing our justification.  In one of his "get real" passages, Paul here makes it clear he has not become "sinlessly perfect," but that he is pressing on and pursuing the prize set before us: becoming more like Christ and knowing we will be with Him. Paul calls on his readers and us to join him in this journey and also warns us that there are many traps and dangers along the way trying to distract us.  Don't fall for them; Press on.