Forward in Christ.^* 12^k It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity,^* but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ [Jesus]. 13Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.^l 15Let us, then, who are “perfectly mature” adopt this attitude. And if you have a different attitude, this too God will reveal to you. 16Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the same course.^*

Wrong Conduct and Our Goal.^* 17Join with others in being imitators of me,^* brothers, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.^m 18For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.ⁿ 19Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things.^o 20But our citizenship^* is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.^p 21He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.^q