Episode 3 - Pursuing Personal Growth - Becoming More Like Christ

Welcome to another episode of Living in the Light: Navigating Life with Biblical Wisdom. I’m Pastor Michael, and I’m so glad you’re with me today. In this episode, we’ll be looking at an essential part of the Christian life—personal growth and spiritual maturity. The Apostle Paul gives us a powerful example of what it means to pursue growth in our relationship with Christ in Philippians 3:12-14. Growth in Christ doesn’t happen overnight, but it requires intentional effort, patience, and perseverance. Let’s dive into this passage and see what it teaches us about becoming more like Christ.

Opening Prayer:

Father, we thank You for this time to be in Your Word. We ask that You help us grow closer to You each day, that we may become more like Christ in every area of our lives. Give us understanding as we study Your Word, and help us to apply it to our daily walk. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Section 1: Pressing On Toward the Goal (Philippians 3:12-14)

Let’s begin by reading Philippians 3:12-14:

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

In these verses, Paul makes it clear that spiritual growth is a journey, not a destination. He says, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect." Paul, despite being a faithful servant of Christ, acknowledges that he has not yet reached perfection. The pursuit of knowing Christ more deeply is ongoing. It requires intentional effort, and Paul is fully committed to pressing on toward the goal.

This is such an encouraging message for us. Spiritual growth is not about achieving perfection or being flawless. Instead, it’s about striving every day to know Christ more intimately and to reflect His character more fully. Paul teaches us that personal growth and transformation come through continual effort, with our eyes fixed on the goal: becoming more like Christ.

Reflection Question:

What is one area in your life where you want to grow spiritually? How can you press on toward that goal with the same intentionality Paul describes?

Section 2: The Role of Forgetting What Lies Behind (Philippians 3:13)

Let’s take a closer look at Philippians 3:13:

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."

In order to press forward in our spiritual growth, we must forget what lies behind us. Paul specifically mentions that he does not allow his past—whether successes or failures—to hold him back from pressing forward. This is critical for personal growth in Christ: we cannot allow our past to define us.

This could be past mistakes, sins, or regrets. It could also be past achievements or comfort zones that keep us from taking bold steps of faith. The key here is that we cannot let the past, whether good or bad, prevent us from moving forward in our relationship with God. We must let go of anything that hinders our growth in Christ.

When Paul talks about forgetting the past, he is not saying that we should have no remembrance of it, but that we must not allow the past to control us. We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and our identity is found in Him, not in our past.

Reflection Question:

Is there an area of your past—whether a failure or success—that is hindering your growth in Christ? How can you let go of that and move forward with Christ?

Section 3: Spiritual Maturity is a Lifelong Journey (Philippians 3:14)

Now, let’s look at Philippians 3:14:

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Paul speaks of spiritual maturity as a lifelong journey toward a goal—the "upward call of God in Christ Jesus." This goal is our ultimate transformation into the likeness of Christ, and it is a prize worth striving for. However, the pursuit of this goal requires perseverance. Spiritual maturity does not happen overnight. It takes time, discipline, and a continual reliance on God’s grace.

As we grow in Christ, we become more like Him, but this process will not be completed until we meet Him face to face. The journey of spiritual growth is not an easy one, but it is a rewarding one. Every day we take steps toward becoming more like Christ, we draw closer to that ultimate prize: being fully transformed in His image.

Spiritual growth is a marathon, not a sprint. We won’t reach perfection in this life, but we are called to press on, to keep striving, and to never give up. The upward call of God in Christ Jesus is a call to holiness, to a deeper relationship with Him, and to greater Christlikeness. This should be the aim of our lives.

Reflection Question:

How can you cultivate perseverance in your pursuit of spiritual growth? Are there areas of your life where you need to rely more on God’s grace and less on your own strength?

Biblical Application: How to Keep Pressing Forward

Now that we’ve looked at what Paul teaches us in Philippians 3:12-14, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can apply this to our lives.

Make growth a priority: Spiritual growth must be intentional. Set goals to grow in your relationship with God. This might include daily Bible reading, prayer, serving others, or studying the character of Christ.

Forget the past: Let go of anything from your past that is hindering your growth. Whether it’s regret, shame, or even past successes, make the choice to not let the past define your future in Christ.

Persevere in your journey: Remember that spiritual growth is a lifelong process. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Keep pressing on, knowing that every step toward Christ is a step toward spiritual maturity.

Rely on God’s grace: Spiritual maturity doesn’t come through striving in our own strength. We need God’s grace to grow. Trust that He will give you the strength you need to grow more like Him each day.

Closing Reflection and Prayer:

As we close today’s episode, I want you to think about this: What is one area in your life where you desire to grow spiritually? How can you press on toward that goal with the mindset Paul shares in Philippians 3?

Let’s pray.

Father, we thank You for the example of the Apostle Paul, who teaches us to press on toward the goal of knowing Christ more fully. Help us to let go of the past and focus on the future You have for us. Give us the perseverance to continue growing in our relationship with You, and may we always rely on Your grace as we strive to become more like Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you for joining me on this third episode of Living in the Light: Navigating Life with Biblical Wisdom. I pray that you are encouraged to press on toward the goal of spiritual growth and to keep pursuing Christ with intentionality. Join me next time as we continue exploring God’s Word for practical wisdom in our lives. Until then, live in the light of His Word!