Philippians 3
-The Lordship and Supremacy of Christ Jesus obtained by
faith in Him is again magnified in this eloquent chapter of Scripture that
could be themed, “the joy of believing.” 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 by
simple faith, or believing. The worth of Christ Jesus surpassed everything in
Judaism and allowed him to count all else as junk (rubbish, trash, vain) 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, now 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 relying on Christ through an exchanged
and new life (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 and controlling
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 (selfish
appetite) 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 for a while today
because He is good and grants every good and perfect gift to us, His children (James
1:17). Enjoy the belief journey, cast down all idols, and realize our
citizenship is assured in Heaven as we eagerly await some awesome and glorious
heavenly bodies with no corruption.
Verses to Memorize-
Philippians 3:2-3, 9-14, 20-21
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