Leave all for Jesus
Phil 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
We can rejoice in all circumstances, for our joy is in the Lord. We have his joy and we know he cares for us. He is reminding the Philippians that they are safe in Jesus, for the Lord is in our joy. He is our peace.
Phil 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. They worshipped false gods.
The Jews referred to the Gentiles, those who were not of the covenant relationship with God, as dogs. In one sense these see no value to Gods wisdom.
Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Now Paul is not referring to Gentiles because the Gentiles were receiving the promised Messiah. I believe Paul is referring to those who do not receive Christ by choice. They are pagans and act as animals. Some Jews added the law or another gospel in order to receive God's favor. As he spoke to the Galatians;
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
These were the Judaizers, the Jews forcing the law in place of grace, these were those who demanded circumcision as a condition to salvation. Having not faith in Messiah Jesus, they had not God's spirit and truth. All was outward show, but inside they were evil.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Phil 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Phil 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
He was one of those of a circumcised heart, a clean heart, through the blood of Jesus.
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
His confidence was not in an outward act, but of a new heart. Yet he was very much a Jew, with the heritage of the promises through Abraham. He tells those who demanded that Christians keep the Jewish laws, that he was a better Jew then they were.
Phil 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Phil 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
That which was important in the past, lost importance in comparison to the great promises in the Lord Jesus Christ. We give it all to him.
Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Jesus spoke to us that if we are to be his disciples we must give up everything we hold onto; he must be who we trust. He is all we need for life more abundant. Yes, and the promise of life everlasting. There is none greater than our Lord Jesus. We follow him and no man can take us out of his hand.
Put the past behind you. All the sufferings and shame. All the victories and pride. All the curses and great promises of devil or man. We come to Jesus leaving all behind, we are being made into his image, day by day. We are new creations and we belong to Jesus.
High Calling of God
Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
This is called our position - in Christ,
Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
In Christ,
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Phil 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Phil 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Phil 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Our position - in Christ, Now Paul is working out in his life Jesus as Lord. This is called - our sanctification, placing our life in the control of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Our fellowship and power are through the Holy Spirit, our old self conforming to his death on the cross, while our new life is by his resurrected life, obeying through the Holy Spirit. Apprehending or overtaking what we are in our position as we become what we are in him in our daily lives. Simply put, we are God's child, so now we show in our lives for all to see that we are children of God. We should shine as our Lord who came as the light of the world.
Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Don't let the past control your future. Obey Christ, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. Grab hold of his promises, through faith and be all that he wants for you. Paul confesses that in his life he had not yet shown forth all that he is in his spiritual position or standing, in Christ. We have the righteousness of Christ, we must show him in and through our daily life, it is Jesus that we honor and bring forth in our lives.
Each has a calling and purpose to fulfill in their new life in Christ. Paul, was the apostle to the Gentiles. He daily had this goal in mind; to fulfill the calling that God had given to him. He is our example of dedication and much fruit as he allowed the Holy Spirit to work through his life the purposes of God. Thank you Jesus for using Paul, his obedience continues to bless the Church. Lord make us to be blessings too, amen
Be a good example
Phil 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Let us who are perfect, or complete in Christ, be of his mind. He is Lord, so if our mind is receiving directions from another place, God shall reveal even this to you. There is nothing hidden from the truth of God. All things that we think or believe must be compared with the living word of God, to see if it is from him.
The world's thinking should not replace the mind of Christ. What is popular or that which is deemed to be on the cutting edge, in our society must submit to the word of God. Also the Holy Ghost , the Spirit of truth will reveal to us what is of God and what is not.
Phil 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit and the maturity of a faithful believer, there should be unity, for Christ is not divided. His words are the truth of God. We do not seek the world for our answers. We all feed from the same source.
Phil 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Paul knew he was following God in a worthy manner as an example to the church. Look around you and be like those who are dedicated and sober, following the Lord and who are of a good reputation. Take note and also be a good example of a child of God.
Phil 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Phil 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Yes, there are many who do not seek salvation and who mock the truth.
Phil 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Phil 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Our way of life is with heaven in mind. Soon Jesus will return through the heavens for his church. Then we will be free of our fleshly bodies and the distractions and cares of this life.
Gary
Philippians Chapters
Philippians 4
Philippians 2
Philippians 1 Index