Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

Philippians 3:12-21

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

They are in fact altering the whole basis of salvation, making git 'by faith and ...', instead of 'by faith only': hence Paul's anger.

Their god is their stomach: appetite; whatever they want; reveling in things they should be ashamed of.

Why?

No one like Paul can say following my example, just as you have us as a model. For Paul has devoted all his life as God's missionary.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead is our life goal either. Do our best to gain the glory of the Lord.

Our goal is not our stomach, even we will need food, but more important is do the right things, for we are the sons of the Lord and rescued from sins by Jesus Christ.

我們已經得救，但是還要追求生命成長，當耶穌再來時一同得榮耀！

神得回我們這孩子，達到神希望我達到的目標，讓我們成為神要我們成為的樣子！

忘記背後努力向前是追求的方法。標竿就是神要我們成熟的樣子！我們做過的要忘記，繼續前進！

以為完全的人，就是那裏受割禮，守節期，獻祭、飲食的條例等成果來誇口！他們不是在服事神，是滿足自己的私慾，即肚腹！拿早晨讀經，參加聚會、參加福音隊，領人信主、奉獻等來誇口。這些都不夠！只有繼續追求。

另外一種是反正我已經得救了，其他做不做也無所謂。好像一個出生的小孩，不吃奶，是否能夠活下去呢！

How?

We are citizenship in heaven, let us live up to what we have already attained.