Not Yet — But Pressing On – Pastor Tom's Community

A Devotional Reflection on Philippians 3:1–12

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 3:12 (KJV)

There are two confessions that keep a Christian healthy.

The first: “I’m not there yet.”
The second: “But I’m not where I was.”

Philippians 3 opens with a warning and moves toward a pursuit. The Apostle Paul warns against confidence in the flesh—religious credentials, spiritual résumés, accumulated trophies. Then he makes a stunning declaration:

“What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
— Philippians 3:7

This is not self-hatred. It is revaluation.

What once defined him dissolves in the light of something better.

The Great Reversal

Paul had impeccable credentials. If spiritual status could save a man, he was safe. But in Christ, he saw clearly:

Pedigree cannot produce righteousness.
Performance cannot manufacture resurrection life.
Reputation cannot conquer death.

So he let it go.

Not because those things were evil in themselves—but because they were insufficient.

The Christian life begins not with arrival, but with surrender. It begins not with attainment, but with apprehension—Christ apprehending us.

We pursue Him because He first pursued us.

Already Captured — Still Pursuing

There is profound comfort in knowing we have been “apprehended of Christ Jesus.” We are held. Secured. Claimed.

But that comfort is not sedation.

Grace does not whisper, “You have arrived.”
Grace declares, “You are secure—now grow.”

Paul writes:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”
— Philippians 3:10

To know Christ is not merely to know about Him. It is to experience resurrection power in present weakness. It is to share in suffering without surrendering hope. It is to be shaped into His likeness.

The race is not over.

Progress is the word of the day.

Forgetting and Reaching

Though verses 13–14 expand this thought, the spirit of it begins here:

“…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…”
— Philippians 3:13

We must forget more than failures.

We must also release past victories.

Some cling to former achievements as proof they have arrived. Others cling to former disappointments as excuses not to move forward. Both can paralyze growth.

To forget is to unshackle.

The Christian life is lived in forward motion.

You are not there yet.

But you are not standing still.

Not Yet Perfect

Paul dismantles spiritual arrogance with a simple confession:

“Not as though I had already attained…”
— Philippians 3:12

If Paul had not arrived, neither have we.

Spiritual maturity is marked less by self-congratulation and more by holy dissatisfaction. Mature believers are grateful—but not complacent.

They are satisfied with Jesus.

But they still ask:

Is my Master satisfied with me?

That question does not condemn. It clarifies.

Don’t Lose Ground

Later Paul writes:

“Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule…”
— Philippians 3:16

Nothing is more frustrating than having to retrace spiritual ground.

Revival is beautiful—but tragic if it only restores territory we never should have surrendered.

Walk by what you have already learned.
Live up to what you already know.
Don’t drift.

If you stumble, rise quickly. Regain ground and move on.

The mark still stands.

Citizens of Heaven

Paul reminds the Philippians:

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Philippians 3:20

The word translated “conversation” refers to citizenship.

They lived as a Roman colony far from Rome. We live as a heavenly colony far from Heaven.

We are ambassadors. Representatives.

We cannot be absorbed with earthly status if we belong to another kingdom. We cannot let appetite become our god. We cannot let shame become our glory.

We press on toward a heavenly prize while living faithfully on earthly soil.

And one day:

“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body…”
— Philippians 3:21

The battle ends.
The body is changed.
Christ wins.

The Confidence That Carries Us

Philippians 3:1–12 is not about confidence in ourselves.

It is about confidence in Christ.

Confidence that He has apprehended us.
Confidence that He is still working.
Confidence that resurrection power is real.
Confidence that progress is possible.
Confidence that the prize is worth the pursuit.

You are not there yet.

But thank God—you are not where you were.

Press on.

A Note to Readers

This reflection grows out of themes originally explored in The Confidence Factor: A Journey through Philippians by Thomas B. Sims, currently available on Amazon. I am prayerfully working on a revised and expanded edition that will bring these truths into fresh conversation for a new season of readers.

Stay tuned. And in the meantime—