Phi 3:7-21 ( NASB )

(7) But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

(8) More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

(9) and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

(10) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

(11) in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

(12) Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

(13) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

(14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

(15) Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;

(16) however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

(17) Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

(18) For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,

(19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

(20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

(21) who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

1Co 9:24-27 ( NASB )

(24) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

(25) Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

(26) Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;

(27) but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Scripture Quotation taken from (NASB) New American Standard Bible

Phi 3:7-21 ( MSGB )

(7) The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash--along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ.

(8) Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant--dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ

(9) and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ--God's righteousness.

(10) I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.

(11) If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

(12) I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.

(13) Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward--to Jesus.

(14) I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

(15) So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision--you'll see it yet!

(16) Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

(17) Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.

(18) There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross.

(19) But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

(20) But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ,

(21) who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

1Co 9:24-27 ( MSGB )

(24) You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.

(25) All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.

(26) I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me!

(27) I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Quoted from "The Message" Commentary, by Eugene H. Peterson