https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil+3%3A10-14&version=NIVUK

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 towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

Philppians 3:13-14

A dense passage where Paul’s mind is mingled with that of Christ, which is his Spirit. If we had not thought of the role of the Holy Spirit, we would have almost taken these struggles as Paul’s own endeavour. But thanks to Paul’s teachings about Christ and his Spirit, we know, at a step back, that he is describing the work of the Holy Spirit. If two or more parties are joined together and have become one and the same group for the sake of a certain mutual interest, from then on, it is not really easy to tell up to which point it is the common interest and from which point it is individual. But technically speaking, there is an element, be it a part, condition, or joint, that made the two one in the first place. That in-between part between us and Christ is faith (v. 9). Because the Holy Spirit is the one who gives and maintains the faith to be and remain stuck to Christ, the harsh endeavour Paul describes, especially in vs. 13–14, is the work of the Holy Spirit, whose power even raises the dead.

Lord, how I am relieved that you are doing the brain work as well as the hard work. Let me be relieved in you, but always go along with you. When you forget what is behind me (v. 13), let me go along with you too.

• There can be many obstacles that interfere with the Holy Spirit’s ‘struggle’ to give and maintain faith. What do you consider the biggest one?
• Why do you think Christ and his Spirit take hold of you to this degree? (v. 12) What is the gain in this?
• Do you consider the knowledge of knowing Christ the biggest reward in this struggle? (v. 10) What else might you personally desire out of it? What does your personal desire have to do with getting to know Christ?