Philippians 3:14 says “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This verse points to the ultimate goal that all Christians should be striving for – eternal life with God in heaven. The “goal” refers to the final reward, the “prize” of being called up to be with Christ for eternity. Let’s take a deeper look at what this verse is saying and how it should motivate and focus our lives as believers.
The Context of Philippians 3:14
To fully understand this verse, we need to put it in context of the broader passage of Philippians 3. The apostle Paul is writing to the church in Philippi and warning them to be on guard against false teachers who were promoting a works-based righteousness. Beginning in verse 2, he says to “beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.” This “false circumcision” refers to the Judaizers, a group who taught that circumcision and obedience to the Old Testament law were required for salvation.
In contrast to these false teachers, Paul counters by affirming that righteousness and salvation come through faith in Christ alone. In verse 9 he declares, “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, received by putting one’s trust in Christ. It cannot be earned by doing good works or observing religious rituals.
After establishing that righteousness comes through faith alone, Paul then describes his own dedication and focus in living out this truth. Although he has already been saved by grace, he still strives and exerts great effort in his walk with Christ. Beginning in verse 10 he explains, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” This leads up to the declaration in verse 14 that he presses on toward the ultimate goal.
The Meaning of “The Goal”
When Paul says he is straining and pushing forward toward the “goal,” what does he have in mind? First, we should notice the athletic imagery used in this passage. Paul describes himself as an athlete intensely striving for the prize and not letting up in his efforts. He is picturing the Christian life as a race that requires energy, discipline, and an upward focus.
The “goal” or prize he is running toward is eternal life – the full experience of salvation when we finally reach heaven and live forever with Christ. Although Christ saved us the moment we put our faith in Him, we still await the total fulfillment of our salvation when we receive our resurrection bodies and enter glory. As Paul says in verse 11, this hope motivates him because he knows Christ has the power to “bring about the resurrection from the dead.”
The finish line is the moment when we reach heaven and receive our full inheritance. 1 Peter 1:3-5 describes this living hope: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” This is the upward call Paul presses on toward.
How This Should Motivate Our Lives
Recognizing that our ultimate goal as believers is eternal life with Christ should profoundly shape how we live each day. Here are some key ways this truth can motivate and focus our lives:
- It gives us hope – On difficult days, we can be encouraged that the best is yet to come. Our struggles are momentary compared to the glory awaiting us (Romans 8:18).
- It helps us set priorities – Knowing our days on earth are short, we should make decisions based on eternal significance rather than temporary benefits.
- It sustains our faith – When we take our eyes off this goal we can become discouraged. But remembering our destination helps us persevere.
- It makes us heavenly minded – We can become preoccupied with worldly affairs. Anticipating eternity with Christ reminds us this world is not our home.
- It spurs us to obedience – We want to live in a manner worthy of our calling, pursuing holiness and godliness in response to the grace we’ve received (2 Peter 1:3-11).
- It energizes our witness – Urgency grips us to share the gospel so others can join us in attaining this prize (1 Corinthians 9:19-27).
In summary, keeping our eyes fixed on the final goal of eternal life should drive all we do and become the organizing purpose of our lives. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:58, because we know our labor in the Lord is not in vain, we should “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
How to Press on Toward the Goal
Since the prize of heaven is so glorious, how then do we keep pursuing it day by day amidst life’s distractions and troubles? Paul gives us several practical exhortations in this passage on how to continually press on toward the goal:
- Rely on Christ’s power within us – In verse 10 Paul desires to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection.” He knows he needs Christ’s indwelling power to energize and sustain his efforts. We need to depend on and draw upon His resurrection power at work in us (Ephesians 1:18-21).
- Rejoice in any measure of progress – In verse 16, Paul advises “only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Don’t underestimate small steps of growth. Give thanks for how God is maturing you and keep obeying in the next step. Progress, not perfection, should mark our pursuit.
- Maintain intense focus – In verse 13 Paul states, “But one thing I do.” He is vigilant against diversions from the goal. Say “no” to anything hindering a laser-focused pursuit of Christ.
- Filter everything through this pursuit – Paul views all of life through the lens of knowing Christ and making Him known (Philippians 1:21). Evaluate activities, relationships, habits – does this help me press toward the goal or not?
- Detach from anything holding you back – In verse 13 Paul says he counts all things as loss compared to knowing Christ. Don’t cling tightly to possessions, pleasures or pursuits that slow you down. Hold them loosely.
- Align your thoughts and desires – Paul says to “set your minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2) and to “fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you” (1 Peter 1:13). Thoughts and affections focused on eternity propel progress.
- Purify your heart – Any unconfessed sin or corruption will impede our growth. We must allow God’s Word to thoroughly cleanse our hearts (Psalm 119:9-11).
- Run with others – We need fellowship with other believers running this race to encourage and instruct one another (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- Don’t grow weary or lose heart – Persist with “endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-3). His spirit will renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31).
The Upward Call of God
This prize Paul presses on toward is also described as the “upward call of God.” This highlights the origin of our hope. It is God who calls us upward to Himself. Our salvation from beginning to end is His work in us (Philippians 1:6). Even our desire and effort to pursue Him results from His drawing and enabling grace. What a humbling and reassuring reality. The Lord who planned this prize will also provide the power and endurance we need to cling to Him until the end (1 Corinthians 1:8-9).
This upward call is both experienced individually and collectively with other believers. God deals with us one-on-one as His children, urging each of us to draw near to Him through Christ. But He also brings us together as His family and church. He calls us upward into the fellowship and mission of His people. The book of Hebrews illustrates this corporate call: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven…” (12:22-23). We press on toward the goal together as God’s people.
Glimpses of the Goal Now
Although our ultimate experience of being with Christ awaits His return, we get glimpses of this goal now through the Holy Spirit. Paul describes the Spirit as “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (Ephesians 1:13-14). We have a foretaste that increases our longing for the fullness to come. The Spirit’s work includes:
- Assurance of our hope – The Spirit testifies that we are God’s children destined for glory (Romans 8:15-17). This strengthens us to press on.
- Victory over sin – The Spirit empowers us to put sin to death and make progress in holiness (Romans 8:12-13).
- Joy in suffering – The Spirit fills us with supernatural joy, even in the midst of trials (1 Thessalonians 1:6). This joy propels us forward.
- Gifts for ministry – The Spirit equips all believers with gifts to serve others (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Using these gifts for building up Christ’s body helps us reach the goal together.
- The fruit of the Spirit – As we walk in the Spirit, His work bears the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, and more (Galatians 5:22-23). This growth is a taste of eternity.
These present blessings of the Spirit offer a preview of the unhindered fellowship we will enjoy with God in heaven. They remind us of why we press on toward the glorious day when faith becomes sight.
The Prize and the Judge
In describing his pursuit of the prize, Paul is not contradicting his clear teaching elsewhere that salvation is an unearned gift. The language of race, competition, and the prize speak to the costly effort and focused discipline needed to grow in holiness and usefulness for God’s kingdom. But we never earn or merit the gift of eternal life. Paul clarifies this balance between effort and grace just a few verses earlier in Philippians 3:8-9:
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
All our striving is only possible through the work of Christ and the empowering grace of His Spirit within us. Our right standing before God depends completely on receiving Christ’s righteousness by faith, not any righteousness of our own. Paul’s language of “straining toward the goal” describes the working out of this faith, not an attempt to earn salvation (Philippians 2:12-13).
There is a sobering side note to Paul’s description of an athletic contest. At the end of the race, there will be a judgment. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” For believers, this judgment is not about salvation, but about eternal rewards based on how we spent our lives. Did we live all-out for Christ or coast along? How we “run the race” matters.
This judgment seat of Christ makes clear that God cares deeply about our growth in holiness and fruitfulness after we come to faith in Christ. Our salvation is secure but our walk with Christ and our reward will be examined. This adds to the urgency of Paul’s striving. It also should fuel our efforts to live in light of eternity and hear the Lord say “Well done.” The prize awaits all who repent and believe, but extra joy will come to those who press on toward the goal with consistency and zeal.
Final Thoughts
The goal Paul pursued with such intensity – to gloriously know and enjoy Christ forever – is the only goal that ultimately matters. Anything else we chase after will burn up on the day of testing. Only what is done for eternity counts. We have one short life to live on this earth. How are we using it? Does our effort, energy, time and focus align with God’s upward call or do we get distracted by lesser goals?
Keeping the prize in view is vital. As Paul said earlier in Philippians 3:1, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.” We need constant reminders to lift our eyes above this world. The daily grind and troubles of life should not divert us from striving for the goal. With joy and hope, we can echo Paul’s words, “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.” May this be the passion and singular focus of our lives.