Philippians 3:16

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

(v16, NIV)

We must be hungry. We must continue to strain forward towards the goal. We must be pressing onwards to attain the prize. We're not perfect yet. We don't even consider ourselves to have reached the goal or become perfect. Let's press onwards. Let us be hungry.

The next thing we need to do is to hold. We need to maintain and continue on this course. This path that has been set before us is one to which we need to stay on. We are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a worthy life to be called to, so let us live a life worthy of our calling. Let us live up to what we have already attained. We have attained salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are redeemed as adopted sons to God our Father.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 1:6, NIV)

We hold fast to this to which we have been called to. This work he began in us, he will bring it to completion. This should comfort you knowing that God will see you through to the end. If he began a good work in you, he will carry it to completion.

So what is this that we have obtained? We have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We weren't saved by good works, so don't hold fast to good works. Continuing in your faith doesn't mean we start following a bunch of rules, but hold fast to the fact that we were saved by grace through faith. Continue in faith thankful for the grace to which we have received. Continue in faith and continue in grace.