That I May Know Him

Reading:  Philippians 3:7-16
    
    Paul’s words crackle with intensity as he describes the remarkable transformation he has experienced.  After spending his formative years building his resume, everything changes.  “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”(Phil 3:7-8).  Paul discovers something so much better than glorifying himself and has devoted his whole life to pursuing it.  He has “suffered the loss of all things”—his friendships, his comforts, his good name, his money, his health, his bright future in Judaism—yet he decides that this is all “rubbish” or “dung.”  Paul has done the math:  knowing Jesus is worth more than temporary personal greatness.

    So now Paul’s burning desire is “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead”(Phil 3:10-11).  Knowing him means my righteousness is not based on my goodness, but his grace (Phil 3:9).  Knowing him means suffering like him (perhaps even dying like him) so that I can be raised like him (Phil 3:10).  Paul will sacrifice anything and submit to anything if it means he will be raised with Jesus.  Now he goes forward:  “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”(Phil 3:13-14).  This pursuit has taken over his life; it is now the “one thing” he does.  Knowing Jesus motivates him each day and will not end until he rests with Jesus in eternity.

    Paul’s passion burns through the page.  Jesus has captured his heart and rearranged his life.  Now Paul preaches and lives and works and writes as he does because he wants to know Jesus.  Our story may not be as dramatic as Paul’s, but the basic contours are the same:  we abandon our attempts to save ourselves and run hard after our Savior. 

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One Thing to Think About: Is knowing Jesus my burning desire?

One Thing to Pray For:  Courage to surrender everything to seek after Jesus
 

Confidence in the Flesh

Reading:  Philippians 3:1-6
    
     Paul has a warning about a group that promotes a dangerous mentality:  “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.  For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh”(Phil 3:2-3).  He is probably referring to Judaizing teachers who emphasize the need for circumcision for salvation (“mutilate the flesh”).  Disciples of Jesus are different; we are the circumcision because we put no confidence in the flesh.  We do not rest on our accomplishments, good works, or lineage.  Our confidence is not in ourselves.

    Yet this is the mentality that Judaizing teachers spread and Paul is well-acquainted with it because of his past.  “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless”(Phil 3:4-6).  It reads like a resume.  These are Paul’s well-rehearsed credentials and reason for boasting.  He is properly circumcised, a native Israelite, a Pharisee by training and temperament, zealous to a fault, and with no accusations of lawbreaking.  There is a lot to be confident about here.  Yet “whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ”(Phil 3:7).  Jesus changed everything.  When we follow Jesus, we “glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh”(Phil 3:3).

    We all have unique talents and attributes.  Some of us have impressive bloodlines.  Some have a long history of righteous living.  Our world encourages us to build this type of moral resume, justifying to others why we are worthy to be praised or heard.  Yet when we come to Jesus, it is no longer about us.  All our accomplishments go in the garbage (they are “rubbish,” Phil 3:8).  Even in my best moments, I cannot save myself or atone for my own sins.  My confidence now is in what Jesus has done for me.  

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One Thing to Think About: How am I tempted to have confidence in myself?

One Thing to Pray For:  Awareness of my tendency to trust myself rather than Jesus
 

Honor Such Men

Reading:  Philippians 2:19-30
    
    This section centers around two of Paul’s co-workers whom the Philippians know well.  First is Timothy, who is not accompanying the letter:  “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.  For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.  For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ”(Phil 2:19-21).  This is high praise.  Paul sees a unique gift in Timothy:  he is “genuinely concerned for your welfare” as he does his preaching work.  Preaching is not a job for him, nor is it about giving others a piece of his mind.  Timothy sees it as an opportunity to serve and bless.  The Philippians also know this (“but you know Timothy’s proven worth,” Phil 2:22) and so Paul hopes not only to send Timothy to them soon, but also to join him there once released from prison (Phil 2:23-24).

    The Philippian church sent Epaphroditus to Paul with their gift to him (Phil 4:18) and now Paul is sending him back, presumably with this letter.  “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill”(Phil 2:25-26).  In the course of his mission, Epaphroditus has become seriously sick and nearly died.  Paul connects his sickness with his service:  “he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me”(Phil 2:30).  Somehow this sickness (or his inability to recover) has been worsened by his efforts to deliver the gift and help Paul.

    Having discussed these two noble men, Paul gives an instruction to the church:  “honor such men”(Phil 2:29).  Christians honor men who are examples of genuine faith, humble though they may be.  We often fail to recognize admirable traits in people we know well.  Paul speaks of these men in glowing terms, highlighting Christian virtues and real-life sacrifices.  They do not require ceremonies or recognition, yet Christian examples deserve honor.  Will we honor them?

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One Thing to Think About: Who do I know who is living a life for Jesus worthy of honor?

One Thing to Pray For:  Appreciation for the positive spiritual influences around me
 

Work Out Your Salvation

Reading:  Philippians 2:12-18
    
    Though Paul hopes to be released from his imprisonment, he wants the Philippians to continue to do what is right whether he comes to them or not.  “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”(Phil 2:12-13).  “Work out your own salvation” does not mean that salvation is a difficult math problem we must puzzle over.  Paul urges the Philippians to do the work that stems from the new relationship they enjoy with God.  In context, this includes standing firm, striving for the faith, refusing to be cowed by persecution, and humbling themselves like Jesus (Phil 1:27, 28, 2:5-11).  As we do this work, we are assured that “it is God who works in you,” supplying both the knowledge and power to continue to obey him.  When we have done what he asks, we still cannot glory in ourselves because he is ultimately responsible.

    There is more practical work here too:  “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”(Phil 2:14-15).   Part of working out our salvation is eliminating our habits of complaint and argument.  We will always encounter unpleasant situations; mature believers do not bemoan every inconvenience.  We will always disagree on some level with those around us; mature believers do not constantly dispute.  These differences make us shine like lights in a dark world full of bitter, divisive, malcontents.  Christians have their eyes on different goals than whether we are always happy or always proven right.

    Salvation is not an end, but the beginning of a life of service.  As we obey “with fear and trembling” because of the awesome responsibility we have and the unique closeness of God to us, we give him glory for his work in us.  We approach the tasks of the believer with passion and vigor, eager to represent him in a dark world.

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One Thing to Think About: How will I work because of my salvation today?

One Thing to Pray For:  The appropriate mixture of gratitude and fear
 

Humble Like Jesus

Reading:  Philippians 2:1-11
    
    Paul wants the Philippians to keep serving Jesus “whether I come to see you or am absent”(Phil 1:27), so he urges them toward unity.  “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind”(Phil 2:2).  We think in the same ways, love the same things, and have the same goals.  There is one great enemy to this unity:  the selfishness that dogs us all.  “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”(Phil 2:3-4).  Our selfish ambitions tear us away from others; thoughtful service unites us.  

    This renunciation of selfish ambition originates with Jesus himself.  “Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”(Phil 2:6-8).  Jesus refused to regard his divine privileges (including “equality with God”) as rights he would not give up.  Of his own will, he “emptied himself,” embraced “the form of a servant” and became fully “obedient” to the will of God and the needs of men.  It is only after this tremendous humiliation that “God has highly exalted him,” reinforcing Jesus’ statement that “whoever humbles himself will be exalted”(Matt 23:12).  If Jesus can give up so much, I can surrender my petty desires and ambitions.

    Disciples of Jesus do not simply sign up for a new set of beliefs.  We grow to become more like him.  Where our lives were previously about pleasure, accomplishment, esteem, and the acceptance of others, now we aim to honor our God and bless our fellowman.  We “empty ourselves” like Jesus, trusting that following God’s will is more important than self-expression.  We join ourselves to others who embrace the humble path.  We become humble like Jesus.

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One Thing to Think About: Do I feel others’ needs and interests as keenly as my own?

One Thing to Pray For:  The faith to relinquish my ambitions and seek for God to exalt me