Philippians 3
-The Lordship and Supremacy of Christ Jesus obtained by faith
in Him is again magnified in this eloquent chapter of Scripture. Paul begins by
telling his readers to rejoice as a safety measure (Philippians 3:1). He then
offers warning to what he calls “the dogs,” which are evildoers who mutilate
their flesh (Philippians 3:2). Paul uses irony here since it is usually to
Pharisaical Jews who call Gentiles “dogs” because of their uncleanness in life
apart from the Law. The apostle offers that believers in Christ are the real
circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in their Savior
putting no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). Paul claims that if
anyone could have confidence in the flesh it would be him. He lists his former
accomplishments in Judaism under the Law and ancestrally as a persecutor of the
church and blameless in their religious system. But, whatever he had gained, he
counted it as loss for the sake of accepting and receiving the righteousness of
Christ as his Lord. The worth of Christ Jesus surpassed everything in Judaism
and allowed him to count all else as junk (rubbish, trash) in comparison. *Application*
IN Christ we have a righteousness that does not come from the Law, but through
faith in Him. This allows us to know Him and the power of his resurrection as
well as the fellowship of His sufferings in this world. We become like Him in
His death so that we can attain the resurrection from the dead (Philippians
3:4-11). In what ways have you died to yourself so that you may live in Christ’s
resurrected power? This is not only a reality for the future in Heaven, but can
be our experience now on this earth as He sanctifies us (Romans 5:10).
-Paul knew he had not already obtained this perfected
resurrection life yet, but he was pressing on to make it his own because Christ
had made him His own (Philippians 3:12). He was forgetting his past and the
failures of merit based works and straining forward to what lay ahead. He was
striving for the upward call of God IN Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). He
exhorted all to hold true to what had been attained through the work of Jesus
on the cross for redemptive Spirit filled life as mature believers (Philippians
3:15-16). *Application* Perfection in the Christian walk is never completely
achieved on this earth as we see expressed in the words of the apostle. No
matter how far we think we’ve come in the Spirit, there is always the next
challenge of spiritual growth and maturity. We must be ever growing and adding
to our faith so that we do not become nearsighted and blind (2 Peter 1:3-11;
3:18). Press on believer! Grow IN Christ!
-To have growth we need the Holy Spirit indwelling us
leading us into all truth and grace (John 16:13, 2 Peter 3:18). We also need
more mature believers that we can look to and imitate (Philippians 3:17). We shouldn’t
idolize these mentors, coaches, and counselors, but they are there for our
spiritual benefit and can teach us to be more Christlike as we develop. If we
don’t grow, Paul is warning the Philippians and us as well, we run the danger
of nullifying our witness and testimony by turning to carnal things. This may
even be an indication that we are NOT IN Christ because the writer clearly
states that these will end in destruction whose god is their belly and glory in
their shame with minds set on earthly things (Philippians 3:19). This is why we
must examine ourselves constantly to make sure that we are in the true faith
and not deceiving ourselves (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25, 1 Corinthians 3:18, 2
Corinthians 13:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:21). “Our citizenship is in Heaven and from
it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to
be like His glorious body (1 Corinthians 15), by the power that enables Him
even to subject all things to Himself (Philippians 3:20-21).” *Application* Get
on your knees if you can right now and praise the Lord Jesus Christ for who He
is. Praise His Name!
Verses to Memorize-
Philippians 3:10-12
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