[3:7-14] Paul’s conversion on the Damascus Road, changed Paul’s life. The things he thought were the most important are no longer important to Paul. Salvation changed everything for Paul and made “knowing Christ Jesus his Lord” the most important aspect of his life.
Whenever Jesus Christ changed Paul, sanctification began its work in Pauls’ life. Sanctification is the process of acquiring holiness. Paul forfeited his religion and the “things” he trusted in before knowing Jesus. Through a relationship with Jesus, God began to work in Paul’s life day by day and minute by minute to transform Paul into a new person.
In verse 9, Paul states, “I become righteous through faith in Christ.” Paul had nothing to offer Christ. Paul came empty-handed before God. Even though Paul was circumcised, pure-blooded, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew, a member of the Pharisees, had persecuted the church and obeyed the law he was worthless to Christ. Paul found righteousness through faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ.
Paul is now motivated to live a new life. Paul’s salvation moves Paul to “…want to suffer with Christ, sharing in his death…” Saving faith motivates believers to experience the reality of Jesus Christ’s suffering for our lives. Saving faith moves believers to want to know God. Saving faith produces good works in our lives.
Verse 12 explains that Paul had not achieved perfection, but he pressed for perfection. Paul didn’t expect to reach personal perfection of this earth, but he didn’t let that detour him in his efforts to become like Christ. He says that he, “…focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…” Paul didn’t let his past handicap him. Paul pressed to reach the prize. What is the prize? The prize is Christ Jesus, himself.
