The “upward call of God” is a phrase that the apostle Paul uses in Philippians 3:14, which says “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This verse gives us insight into Paul’s motivation and purpose as a follower of Christ. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of this important concept.
The Context of Philippians 3
To properly understand this phrase, we first need to look at the context of the verse. In Philippians 3, Paul is comparing his life before and after coming to faith in Christ. In verses 4-6, he lists his religious credentials as a zealous Pharisee. By human standards, he had a lot going for him. But Paul considers all his accomplishments as “rubbish” compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (v. 8). Everything he once valued, he now counts as loss for Christ’s sake (v. 7).
Paul’s life is now focused on a new goal – knowing Christ and being conformed to His death and resurrection (v. 10). This brings him to verse 12, where he says he has not yet obtained all this. Instead, he presses on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of him (v. 12). Then in verse 14, he speaks of the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul is describing his motivation to keep pursuing Christ with all his heart.
The Meaning of the Upward Call
The “upward call” refers to God’s invitation to lay hold of the glorious, eternal life that awaits believers in heaven. In calling it “upward,” Paul contrasts it with the earthly goals he left behind. The heavenly call requires an upward focus and pursuit. Barclay says, “There is always something higher than anything we have yet attained.” This call comes from God, who beckons us heavenward through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The call is upward because our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and Christ is seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20). As believers in Jesus, we are called to set our hearts and minds on the things above rather than earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2). Our primary identity is not in our earthly status but as children of God and fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17).
This call is not something we earn through our own efforts. It is based on God’s grace at work in us from the first moment of faith. As Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Salvation from beginning to end is God’s work in us.
Why Did Paul Press on Toward This Upward Call?
After describing the upward call in verse 14, Paul says he presses on toward it because he wants to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of him. Here we see Paul’s motivation is centered on Christ. He wants his life to be aligned with God’s purpose and calling.
Paul pressed on because he valued his relationship with Christ above all else. His life goal was knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8), being conformed to His death and resurrection (v. 10), and attaining the righteousness from God that depends on faith (v. 9). He strained forward in the hope of finally being made perfect like Christ (v. 12, 15).
Paul also understood the eternal ramifications of his pursuit. He did not consider himself to have attained it yet (v. 13a). But one day in heaven, Paul would fully know Christ and be perfected in righteousness. This eternal prize gave him motivation to keep pursuing Christ with vigor and discipline.
Application: How Should We Respond to this Upward Call?
As believers today, how should we respond to the upward call of God?
- Remember our citizenship is in heaven, not on earth (Philippians 3:20). Be willing to let go of earthly priorities that hinder your walk with Christ.
- Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Develop an eternal perspective.
- Pursue fellowship with Christ as your life’s priority. Spend time seeking His face daily.
- Press on! Don’t let past failures obstruct you. Keep pursuing Christ (Philippians 3:13b).
- Live in light of eternity. Be faithful with the time you’re given (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
- Walk by faith, trusting God’s power to transform you increasingly into Christ’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The upward call of God is a powerful concept for every believer. It gives perspective on what matters most in this life. It reminds us this world is not our home. Like Paul, we can press on toward the goal of knowing Christ and the eternal reward laid up for us in heaven. fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
The upward call gives us motivation to live with eternity stamped on our souls. C.S. Lewis said, “If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
As we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and His upward call, may our hearts be so captivated with Him that we hold nothing back in our pursuit of the Savior. May we be found faithful when we finally stand face to face with Christ, the embodiment of our deepest longings.