"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." Paul emphasizes the need for progress in Christian living by first telling the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (vs. 2:12) and then by telling them to press on toward the finish line of their life like in a race or an archery target (vs. 12, 14). Whether a finish line or a target, it is a heavenly goal toward which we are racing or aiming and the prize is heaven and being in perfect fellowship with Jesus Christ forever. God is calling us
up to Him and we heed that upward call by pressing on with all our strengh through this life and toward eternal life.
