Still Pressing, Already Content

Have you ever noticed that Paul seems to hold together two ideas that, at first, sound almost contradictory? On one hand, he says, “I press toward the goal,” refusing to look back or settle where he is spiritually. Yet only a few verses later, he states, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” How can someone be both content where he is, while yet constantly pressing forward? 

Perhaps the answer lies in understanding what Paul was, and was not, content with. Paul’s statements about pressing forward and being content are not contradictory, because he was speaking about two different things. In Philippians 3:13-14, when Paul says he was forgetting those things which were behind and pressing toward the mark, he was talking about his spiritual pursuit of Christ. He refused to believe that he had already arrived spiritually; he wanted to know Christ more intimately, become more like Him, and continue pursuing the call that God had put in his life. Therefore, his focus was neither on resting on his past accomplishments nor on being discouraged by his failures as he pursued Christ (Philippians 3:3-11). 

However, when Paul speaks of contentment in Philippians 4:11-12, he was discussing his circumstances. He indicates that he had learned to be content, whether he was experiencing abundance or need, whether he was well supplied or suffering lack. His contentment did not mean he had stopped growing or striving spiritually; rather, it meant that his joy and peace were not dependent on his state of affairs. Whether he was hungry or well-fed, whether he was experiencing abundance or need, Christ was sufficient for him. His outward conditions did not determine his level of contentment in Christ. 

It is important to differentiate between being content with my present circumstances and being satisfied with my spiritual condition. Paul mentioned that he was content with his current circumstances, yet he emphasized that he would not be satisfied with just staying stagnant in his relationship with Christ. Therefore, our contentment should not be confused with spiritual complacency. 

In fact, Paul’s contentment enabled him to press forward. If his peace depended on achieving a certain spiritual state, he could never truly rest. He would always be thinking, “Once I have become more mature, more faithful, or more successful, then I will be at peace.” However, Christ was sufficient for him in the present, and because he was secure in Christ, he was free to pursue Christ more deeply. He was not striving to earn Christ’s acceptance; rather, he was responding to the grace he had already received. Paul pressed forward because Christ had already laid hold of him (Philippians 3:12; Romans 4:4-5; 2 Timothy 1:8-9)!

This is also why “forgetting those things which are behind” should not be understood as refusing to remember the past. Paul remembered God’s faithfulness, and certainly understood his history (Galatians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:12-15). What he refused to do was live spiritually on the basis of his past accomplishments or failures. He would not say, “I’ve done enough; I’ve arrived,” nor would he say, “I’ve failed too much; what’s the point in moving forward?” His past became neither a trophy that made him complacent nor a prison that kept him from progressing.

So, Paul’s two ideas can come together when we understand that he was content with his physical circumstances but not complacent about his spiritual growth. He was satisfied with Christ, but continually hungry to know Him more intimately. Biblical contentment means that Christ is enough for me, while pressing forward involves the desire to know Him more. These two attitudes are not contradictory; they work together. 

Holy God, I know there have been times in my past when I enjoyed measures of earthly comfort, even successes in the eyes of men. But I also realize that I have wasted much time pursuing things that do not glorify You. God, there are still aspects of my past that I am ashamed of, and I now bring them before You, asking for Your guidance to shape and mold me, so that I may move forward toward greater maturity in Christ!

With thanksgiving, may I give You my very best, just like Your Son. In my current physical circumstances, I acknowledge that I have much to be thankful for (James 1:17-18). Let me not compare myself to others (2 Corinthians 10:12); instead, I pray for a deeper understanding of You and Your will for me, personally. I desire to be more diligent in my studies, and more faithful in serving You, and in serving my fellow man (2 Timothy 2:15; Luke 16:10; Mark 12:29-31). May I grow stronger and more emboldened in my own faith. May Christ live in me, enabling my service. I pray that I will imitate Your Son and grow in that direction. Amen.