Philippians 3:12-14
These three verses are nothing less than impressive! So intriguing are they that they deserve our full attention and investigation. So investigate we will! A thorough understanding of verse 12 is a good place to begin…
Philippians 3:12 “…I press on…”
Look closely at what Paul said, “…I press on…” He did not say, “I give up and quit!” “I throw in the towel!” “This is too much for me!” “I'm too tired to continue the journey.” No, he didn't say any of that. He said “…I press on…”
“I may be exhausted” he says, “but I press on!” “Physically I am beaten, but I press on!” “I am emotionally depleted, but I press on!” “The pressure of caring for the church is crushing me, but I press on!” “Those I considered family have abandoned me, but I press on.” “And when the walls that surround my world start to collapse, I Recharge & Move Forward! I press on!”
These three words show us that Paul was motivated. When one is driven by the spirit of motivation, more often than not, he succeeds. In Galatians 5:16 Paul wrote, “My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit.” Motivation, then, is a fire from within. Stephen Covey said, “If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.”
Motivation Igniters
There are 2 main “Motivation Igniters” in life. (1) The first is need. When you are hungry, the need for food will motivate you to work for it! When you need a miracle you will be motivated to pray for it! (2) The second “Motivation Igniter” is purpose. Those who live with a sense of purpose will lay down their lives for the sake of achievement.
Jesus illustrated this fact more clearly than anyone in John 12:27 when he predicted his death on the cross. He said, “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?' But for this purpose I came to this hour.” His God given purpose to save humanity from their sins was the “Motivation” that “Ignited” His willingness to suffer on the cross.
Paul's “Motivation Igniter” is found in the latter half of verse 12. He said the purpose, or the reason why “I Press On,” is “so that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” The translation in the Message Bible provides some clarity on this verse. “But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.”
Jesus Took the Lead!
To summarize verse 12, Paul is motivated to move forward for Christ, regardless of the pain and personal agony it has cost him, because Christ Jesus FIRST moved forward to the cross regardless of the pain and personal agony it cost him. Both Paul and Jesus were motivated by the same purpose which was to save those who were lost. And they both lost their lives to achieve the goal!
Now, there is a natural question that comes to my mind. Why do I not see many motivated Christians? Everyone one of us have a God-given purpose to which we are called to fulfill, and if purpose is a natural “Motivation Igniter” than I should see several highly motivated saints “running toward” and “pressing on” to their destinies!
There can only be one of two answers to the problem, either my theology is wrong, or people simply do not know, or perhaps, do not understand their purpose. To know and understand your purpose is to press on… to not know your purpose is to stand still. And 9 times out of 10, standing still is a waste of time!
If your answer to the question, “Hey, what you doing” is always, “I'm just hanging out,” it might be time to find your purpose in life! It may take trial and error before you get it right, but at least you're busy and not standing still! Let me give you one quick piece of advice about finding your purpose; you know you found your purpose in life when it doesn’t revolve around you.
Your purpose in life will bring you happiness and true happiness comes from contributing to other people’s lives and making a difference for someone else. We were put on this earth to help others, and that is the greatest gift of all!