Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:1-21, ESV)
Throughout the history of professional golf, there have been fifteen sub-60 rounds— fourteen “59’s,” and one “58” recorded in the PGA Tour’s history books. If we widen the search to other tours, the number rises only slightly.
According to multiple sources, the head of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – Yasir Al‑Rumayyan – stated that if any LIV Golfer ever shot a 54, they would be awarded $54 million.
Considered as the “perfect” round of golf—18 birdies over 18 holes—posting a “54” on a par 72 course, is for many a “pipe dream.”
Assuming a 15% chance of a birdie per hole, the opportunity of 18 birdies in a row is approximately 1 in 430 billion. When Mr. Hogan said, “The only thing a golfer needs is more daylight,” he was expressing a universally recognized sentiment—striving for excellence is one thing; achieving perfection is another.
One of the many things that we tend to get wrong about Christianity is the biblical idea of perfection. I want to make a provocative claim, then defend it: “God demands and expects ‘moral perfection’ from us to be accepted by him. It is a startling claim!
The idea that moral perfection is the one non-negotiable demand from our Maker for acceptance with him would leave us all on the outside looking in. So, how could anyone make the case that moral perfection is the standard to get inside the ‘pearly gates?’
The Psalmist poetically asks: “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false [idols] and does not swear deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:3-4)
In short, “standing in the Holy Place” requires infinitely more than sincere moral effort; it demands perfection.
This raises the most serious question of all: If God requires moral perfection and we are incapable of achieving it, where does that leave us? Answer: Either no one gets in, or God must provide the solution without compromising his just standard.
What Paul grasped in his encounter with the resurrected Lord was his need for perfect righteousness that originated outside of himself; he needed a representative to achieve it for him [and us].
He writes, “…For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith….” (Philippians 3:8-9).
The good news is that what God demands, he provides! He provided his Son as our representative to achieve what we could never achieve on our own—the perfect righteousness of complete obedience to God’s commands.
If that is the case, then what prize is Paul “pressing on” to ‘make his own?’ Well, it is not the righteousness needed to get into the kingdom; that perfect righteousness is given to him and us in exchange for our faith in Jesus Christ. What Paul is striving for in the future is the ultimate perfection of an immortal resurrected body in a recreated world.
What Paul saw for his and our future is a world cleansed of all unrighteousness. What our eyes have not yet seen is a new heaven and a new earth that awaits those who have trusted in Jesus Christ!
In this season of Advent, stir your soul to remember our great hope! Press on!
Prayer: Jesus! Please open our eyes to see what Paul saw!