Philippians 3:12-14. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
What is the secret of success?
People have wrestled with this question throughout history. Entire industries have been built around discovering it. Books are written, seminars are held, and countless philosophies promise the key to a meaningful and successful life. Yet history reveals a sobering reality: even those whom the world considers highly successful often struggle to stand firm after achieving everything they once desired. Wealth, power, knowledge, reputation, and accomplishments may satisfy for a season, but they cannot answer the deepest questions of the human heart.
The Apostle Paul understood this better than most. In his letter to the believers in Philippi, Paul described what many would have considered the perfect résumé before he met Christ:
“If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (Philippians 3:4-6).
Paul possessed everything that religious society valued. He had pedigree, education, discipline, influence, and zeal. From his youth, he diligently studied the sacred writings of Israel. Yet despite all his knowledge, he failed to see God’s primary message revealed throughout the Scriptures—the gospel of Christ.
He faithfully observed the great feasts of Israel throughout his life. He celebrated the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Ingathering. Yet he missed their fulfillment in Christ. He failed to see that the Passover pointed to the Lamb of God and a new life freed from sin, that the Feast of Unleavened Bread pointed to the power of the Holy Spirit, and that the Feast of Ingathering pointed to the background of God’s kingdom.
He meticulously kept the Sabbath, yet failed to experience its true purpose: entering into the rest of God and enjoying fellowship with the Triune God through worship. He lived for religion rather than for God Himself.
Paul confessed that his zeal led him to persecute the church (Philippians 3:6). As a Pharisee, he devoted his life to preserving Judaism and defending its traditions. He was consumed with religious achievement and national identity, yet completely overlooked God’s heart for all nations.
The secret of success he had trusted his entire life ultimately failed him. But everything changed on the road to Damascus. While traveling to arrest followers of Jesus, Paul encountered the very One he had been persecuting: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4).
A brilliant light from heaven suddenly flashed around him, and he fell to the ground (Acts 9:1-5). In that moment, the darkness that had covered his life was exposed by the Eternal Light. Paul met Jesus the Christ. That encounter changed everything.
The man who once trusted in his own righteousness now counted all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord (Philippians 3:8). The man who once persecuted believers became God’s chosen instrument to proclaim Christ’s name before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel (Acts 9:15).
From that day forward, Paul discovered the true secret of success: Christ Himself.
Since meeting Jesus, the True King, Paul witnessed the kingdom of God advancing wherever he went. His eyes were opened to the spiritual reality behind human history. He exposed the work of the enemy whom Scripture calls “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), and “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).
Paul boldly proclaimed Christ’s victory over Satan and urged believers to stand against the devil’s schemes by putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17). As he preached the gospel, many who had been held captive by darkness were set free. Sorcerers abandoned their practices. Demonized individuals were delivered. Entire regions were impacted by the power of God (Acts 13:4-12; Acts 16:16-18; Acts 19:11-20).
Paul personally experienced the promise that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20). His success was no longer measured by earthly accomplishments but by the advancing reign of Christ in people’s lives.
Since meeting Jesus, the True Priest, Paul experienced freedom from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). He realized that righteousness could never be earned through human effort. It could only be received through Christ, who “had no sin” but became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Though Paul possessed an impressive religious record, he later referred to himself as the “worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). This was not false humility but a profound understanding of God’s holiness and his desperate need for grace. Paul came to understand the power of Christ’s blood:
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12).
Like every believer, Paul still battled the reality of sin (Romans 7:14-24). Yet he continually returned to the gospel and rejoiced in the truth: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). His confidence rested not in himself but in the finished work of Christ.
Since meeting Jesus, the True Prophet, Paul gained a completely new identity. No longer defined by his past, his achievements, or his failures, he became a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20). He declared that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Every day, he enjoyed the reality of God’s kingdom—righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
Because Christ opened a new and living way into God’s presence, Paul approached God’s throne with confidence and boldness (Hebrews 4:16). He lived as Christ’s ambassador, delivering the message of reconciliation to a lost world (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
His mind was continually set on things above rather than earthly things (Colossians 3:2). He pressed on toward the goal of the heavenly prize in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). His life now had eternal direction, eternal purpose, and eternal hope.
No wonder Paul resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). No wonder the central message of his ministry was always the same: Jesus is the Christ.
Wherever he went, he reasoned, explained, proved, proclaimed, preached, and testified that Jesus was the promised Messiah (Acts 9:22; Acts 17:2-3; Acts 18:5). From the Scriptures, he demonstrated the necessity of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. He proclaimed the absolute and unique solution God had provided for humanity’s greatest problem.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul referred to this message as “my gospel” (Romans 16:25). The gospel had become deeply imprinted upon his heart.
The same can happen to you. When you realize, believe, and continually confirm that Jesus is the Christ, the gospel will no longer be merely a doctrine you know. It will become your gospel.
You will not be able to remain silent. Like Paul, you will feel compelled to proclaim what you have seen and heard. You will share the gospel not only with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
You will discover that true success is not found in what you possess, what you accomplish, or what others think of you.
True success is knowing Christ. True success is enjoying the kingdom of God. True success is being led by the Holy Spirit. True success is participating in God’s eternal work of saving souls.
God is looking for people who will dedicate their lives to explaining and proving that Jesus is the Christ. He is looking for churches that will boldly proclaim nothing but the gospel.
What is your secret of success?
Discover it in the Word of God. Learn from the witnesses who have gone before you (Hebrews 11:1-40). Experience the reality of Christ, the kingdom of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit in every circumstance.
To that end, make worship the highest priority of your daily life. Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Remain rooted in the gospel.
Then the Holy Spirit, who “searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10), will teach you what no human wisdom can teach. He will empower you to do what you could never accomplish on your own (Philippians 4:13). He will lead you to places you could never go by your own strength, making you Christ’s witness to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The world measures success by what a person gains. God measures success by whether a person knows Christ and fulfills His purpose. Paul found that secret on the road to Damascus.
May we find our significance and success in Christ alone every day.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for the true success I have found in Christ. Keep me from seeking the temporary success of this world while neglecting Your eternal purpose. Use my life to proclaim the gospel and to bring those trapped in darkness into the light of Christ. May I live as Your witness, enjoying the reality of Christ, the kingdom of God, and the filling of the Holy Spirit every day. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.