Philippians 3
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
[2] Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; [3] for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, [4] although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: [5] circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; [6] as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
[7] But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. [8] More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, [9] and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, [10] that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; [11] in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
[12] Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. [13] Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; [16] however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
[17] Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. [18] For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, [19] whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. [20] For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; [21] who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
Read and reflect on Sunday – Posting and insights follow…
Monday –
Have you ever tried to diagram one of the apostle Paul’s sentences? I know diagraming is a skill students hate trying to learn and isn’t taught in many classes. I remember when Dad took a course in Ephesians from what was then Western Bible Institute in Morrison, Colorado (two mergers later it’s now Colorado Christian University). One of the assignments called for the class to diagram Paul’s letter (or part of it). Dad ended up using the back of large advertising posters so he’d have enough room! This chapter of Philippians seems that complicated to me. So I’m going to “boil it down”. This isn’t inspired, OK? It’s a summary.
*rejoice
*beware of those who put their confidence in the flesh (if anyone could, I could, he says).
*what you really want is to know Christ!
*He has provided the faith, righteousness and resurrection to come
*forget whatever’s behind, good or bad, and reach, press, stretch to reach for the things God has provided in Christ.
*we’re citizens of Heaven, not this earth, waiting to be transformed into conformity with Christ.
*by the way, it’s of His doing, not ours.
What rich thoughts!
How far-removed from the way the world around us thinks! We need to chew on this! I’m glad we have all week.
Phil—
Wednesday –
I enjoy dual citizenship.
Born in the United States of America I have citizenship here. The rights and privileges granted me by this nation are mine to enjoy and exercize. So are accompanying responsibilities.
More so, born into the family of believers in October of 1960, I am a citizen of Heaven. The power (John 1.2) rights and privileges granted me as an heir of Christ and child of God are mine to enjoy and exercize. So are its accompanying responsibilities (Matt. 28.19-20; Acts 1.8; 1 Tim. 1.5, 6.6; 2 Tim. 2.2. and others)
My permanent citizenship is in heaven, and I’m eagerly awaiting the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform my humble state to conform once and for all with His glory. He’ll use His power, of which there is plenty! Mine is to live in that power today.
Thoughts worth considering, the ones I’ve been thinking on some today.
Thursday –
I like dual citizenship when heaven is my second home. It’s kinda like the bumper sticker on a volkswagon that says, “My other car is a Cadillac. ” Maybe I should hang a plaque in my home that says,
“Someday you’ll have to see my other home, I’ve got someone building me a mansion up there!” 🙂
And the end of verse 20 says “we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” I am eagerly waiting for His return!
I like verse 21 too b/c He’s gonna take my weak mortal body and change it into a glorious body like His own. He’ll be able to do that by using the same power He uses when He brings everything under his control.”
Wow … I wonder if we don’t underestimate the power of God at times. He can move and work in ways we cannot even imagine! We certainly serve a mighty God, don’t we?
Jonell
Thursday –
There’s an interesting concept in verse 12:
…I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
It’s like a child just learning to walk reaching for the hands that have just picked him up.
It’s like auditioning for a group not knowing they’ve already decided you’re in.
It’s like working hard for the position you’ve already been chosen for and are being groomed to assume.
… that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. I don’t fully grasp that concept yet. But it’s been reassuring thiking about it today.
Phil—
Friday –
Paul’s way ahead of me, so I’m going to take the things he’s done, and make them my list of things I want to do:
I want to count the things that would be gain to me as losses for the sake of Christ.
I want them to pale and fade in comparison to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
I want to be able to truly consider the loss of would-be or former gains as losing rubbish so that I may have Christ instead.
I want to be found found in Him. When God looks in my direction I want Him to see me in His Son.
I want my righteousness to be that which is in Christ, from God on the basis of faith,
I want to know Him!
I want to know the power of His resurrection.
I want to know the fellowship of His sufferings.
What a list, hmm? It reminds me (sort-of) of a cartoon I once saw. Two old, old men were sitting on the front porch, presumably of the old folks home. Said one: “You know, we’re all on the earth to accomplish a certain task… at the rate I’m going, I’m never going to get to die!”
Sometimes it takes a while. But what noble aspirations from Paul’s pen! I want to, Lord.
Phil—