Paul, in writing this letter to the believers at Philippi, instructs them about focussing their actions and thoughts on the pursuit of the person and power of Christ. He is appealing them to have the knowledge of Christ. 

Paul begins chapter 3 with details about his previous attainments in Judaism. How he fully conformed to the requirements of the law, circumcised on the eighth day, of the house of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and how, in order to defend the law, he was zealous to destroy the followers of Christ.

Then after meeting Christ on the road to Damascus, and years of following Him, he goes on to say, "but what things were gain to me, these I have counted as loss for Christ". (Phil 3:7) He trashes all his previous accomplishments (in the law) in comparison with the "surpassing knowledge of knowing Christ" in order to gain Christ.

Paul did not want to be found to be having a righteousness of his own (which is from the law), but that which is through faith in Christ.

And what is he desiring? "To know Him and the power of His resurrection.." and by any means to attain resurrection from the dead. Look at his humility. After suffering physical abuse, being stoned, being lashed, left for dead many times, all for the sake of the Gospel and for his love for Jesus, he kind of says, "I am not there yet, yes I want to be there and this is what I desire, but I am not there yet".

He says, "I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own". And forgetting what lies behind, his background, and his righteousness based on law, but straining forward to what lies ahead, to a higher calling, the prize in Christ Jesus, and to be found in Him alone. 

Many times our background, our accomplishments, and our associations give us a false sense of righteousness and comfort. We think "this is enough" and stop growing. We need to earnestly desire a relationship with our Saviour, to know Him more, to love Him more, to hold Him above all else. 

To do this, we need to meditate on the word of God each day, spend time in prayer and fellowship with God. Not with a desire to have a need met, but to seek joy in knowing Him as our father who wants us to live in fellowship with Him.