Because Christ took hold of me.

As I read this passage, it made me think about a wrong way of thinking that many Christians have.

What is that way of thinking?

“I need to get God to accept me. I’m not worthy of his love, so I have to prove it to him.”

As a result, when they fall (and we all fall), many Christians get discouraged.

But Paul says something very important in verse 12. He indeed strove for perfection in his life. His desire was to become like Jesus in every way.

But why? To earn God’s favor?

No. Because Jesus had already taken hold of him (Philippians 3:12). Because Jesus already loved him and saved him. Because Jesus had already clothed Paul with His righteousness (9).

And that’s why Paul didn’t get discouraged when he sinned. That’s why he didn’t just give up despite his struggles to be like Jesus.

Instead, he could say,

Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. (Philipians 3:13-14)

Because God already accepted and loved him, whenever Paul fell, he just kept getting up and pushing forward.

That’s the Christian life. We don’t have to wonder if we’ll ever “arrive” as Christians. That’s guaranteed. Not because of what we do. But because of what Jesus has already done.

So like Paul, don’t get discouraged by your sin and your failures. Simply get up, dust yourself off, and keep pushing forward.