Life is full of challenges. Some are immediate and overwhelming—struggles in marriage, health crises, financial difficulties, or mental and emotional battles. Others are more subtle but no less accurate, like the weight of past regrets or the temptation to give up altogether. In the face of these hardships, the question arises: How do we keep going? How do we press on when life feels heavy, when the road is hard, and when it seems easier to throw in the towel?
The Apostle Paul offers a powerful answer in Philippians 3:12-16. His words remind us that we can keep moving forward not because we are strong enough but because Christ has made us His own. This is the foundation of our faith and the strength that sustains us through every trial.
Pressing On in Christ’s Righteousness
The first key to pressing on is recognizing that we have Christ’s righteousness, not our own. In Philippians 3:12, Paul writes, “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.” Paul’s confidence wasn’t in his abilities or perfection but in the fact that Jesus had already secured his place in God’s family.
When we face struggles, we can fall into the trap of thinking we’re not worthy or that our failures disqualify us from God’s grace. But the truth is, we don’t press on because we’re perfect—we press on because Jesus is perfect. He lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again to give us victory. His righteousness covers us, and that gives us the strength to keep moving forward, even when we fall short.
Letting Go of the Past
One of the biggest obstacles to pressing on is our past—whether it’s a past marked by failure, shame, or even pride. Satan quickly reminds us of what we’ve done wrong or how far we’ve fallen. But in Philippians 3:13, Paul challenges us to “forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead.” This doesn’t mean we ignore our past or pretend it didn’t happen. It means we choose not to let our past define us.
If we’ve been forgiven, then our sins are gone—”as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). And if we’ve succeeded or been “good enough” in the past, we don’t rely on that either. Even our best achievements can become stumbling blocks if we put our trust in them instead of in Christ. We need to leave behind the burden of our failures and successes and move forward in the grace of Christ.
Pressing On Toward the Upward Call
The final key Paul gives us is to keep our eyes fixed on the “upward call” of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). This upward call is the life God is calling us to live—one of holiness, faithfulness, and Christ-likeness in every area. It’s about how we love others, serve, live our lives in the face of difficulty, and trust God through it all.
Living for Christ is not always easy. Our flesh fights against it, and the world around us doesn’t always support it. Satan will do everything he can to discourage us. But we press on because of the promise that Christ has made us His own, and He will empower us to live for Him. No matter the circumstances, we can keep moving forward because God is with us and has called us to something greater.
Think About It
What is God calling you to press on toward right now? Maybe it’s persevering through a difficult situation, trusting God with your future, or growing in an area of obedience. Whatever it is, know that you’re not doing it alone. If you are in Christ, Christ is with you, and He has already won the victory on your behalf.