Press on… hold true.

Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Philippians 3:16

This short verse provides some powerful insight. That insight is unlocked when we look to the context to answer two questions about this exhortation.

1. What is it we have obtained? If we back up to Philippians 3:12, Paul says there is an ambition that was his daily pursuit in following Christ. He was seeking to obtain it… and wasn’t perfect about the pursuit… He just kept pressing on to make it his own because Jesus first made Paul His own. It was a goal that was always in front of Paul—one he daily chased wholeheartedly. The process was repeatable: Forget yesterday with its losses, failure, problems, or short gains. Strain forward to the goal and press on knowing that in following Jesus one day Paul would hear an “upward call” that would bring him into final and ultimate communion with God in Christ (Philippians 3:13-14). This journey and any gains in it were what was attained.
2. What does it mean to hold true? The word translated as “hold true” is a military term. It describes soldiers marching in formation… keeping step with their orders… stepping in rank and file as the commander directs them. It is a word to describe direction, purpose, and obedience. When we hold true, we are directly obeying the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The bottom line for me is this: every day I discipline my thinking and actions to follow Jesus. His grace DOES change and empower me to do this. Only His sanctification enables me to hold to what is attained. Only His power enables me to press on. Only His orders determine my direction. But I must also frame my attitudes and my choices under only one authority: The words and wishes of my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Then I can press on. Then I can march until that upward call. Then I can hold true to His direction. Then I can eventually attain all that He has always had for me.