Keep Your Eyes on Jesus (Philippians 3:1-21)
Have you ever worked really hard for something—good grades, a promotion, or even just to be liked—and still felt like it wasn’t enough? In Philippians 3:1–21, the Apostle Paul talks about this kind of struggle. But he also gives us powerful advice: stop trying to impress God or people, and instead, focus fully on knowing Jesus.
Don’t Put Confidence in What You’ve Done
Paul starts this part of his letter by saying something very important:
“Rejoice in the Lord!”
That means we should find our joy in God—not in things, success, or what people think of us. Paul then warns the believers not to put their confidence in religious rituals or human achievements. Why? Because none of those things can save us.
Paul shares his own story. If anyone could brag about being a “good religious person,” it was him:
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He followed all the Jewish laws.
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He was from the right tribe (Benjamin).
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He was so passionate, he once tried to stop the church.
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He lived a very strict, rule-following life.
But then Paul says something shocking:
“Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”
“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:7–8)
Paul realized that all his accomplishments were worthless compared to knowing Jesus. His goal was no longer to impress God with his good behavior—but to trust in what Jesus had already done for him on the cross.
Press On Toward the Goal
Paul goes on to say that he hasn’t reached perfection—he’s still growing. But he’s not giving up. He’s moving forward with his eyes fixed on one thing:
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” (Philippians 3:13–14)
That goal is to become more like Jesus and to one day be with Him forever.
This is a great reminder for us: we don’t have to be perfect. We just have to keep going, keep trusting, and keep growing. Don’t get stuck in the past—God is doing something new in your life.
Live as Citizens of Heaven
Paul ends this chapter by telling believers to follow good examples—and to be careful about people who live only for themselves. He says their minds are focused only on earthly things, but…
“Our citizenship is in heaven.” (Philippians 3:20)
That means this world isn’t our final home. We belong to God’s kingdom. And one day, Jesus will return and make everything new—even our bodies! Until then, we live with hope, joy, and purpose.
Final Thoughts
Philippians 3 reminds us that:
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We don’t have to earn God’s love—it’s a gift through Jesus.
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Knowing Jesus is the most valuable thing in life.
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We should keep moving forward, even when it’s hard.
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Our true home is with God, and that gives us lasting hope.
So today, don’t look back in regret or try to prove yourself. Instead, fix your eyes on Jesus and press on. The best is yet to come.
Let’s keep going. Let’s keep growing. Let’s keep our eyes on Him.
Philippians 3:1-21 (WEB)
3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.2 Beware of the dogs; beware of the evil workers; beware of the false circumcision. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh; 4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.7 However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ. 8 Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith, 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death, 11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.13 Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let’s walk by the same rule. Let’s be of the same mind.17 Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. 18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.