In this lesson we notice that the church in Philippi was also …

A CHURCH WITH MUCH STILL TO LEARN (3:1-21)

Paul reminds his readers of several aspects of the Christian life where there is always room for growth in our understanding and experience. They, like him and we today, have much still to learn.

Real Joy Is Found Only In The Lord (vs. 1)

Paul reminds his readers, “Whatever happens, dear friends, may the Lord give you joy. I never get tired of telling you this.” (vs. 1) We sometimes forget that the happiness generated in worldly pursuits quickly evaporates in times of trouble and difficulty. Lasting happiness is found only in the Lord. The joy he gives is constant whatever happens. Jesus says to his disciples …

   I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (John 15:9-11) 

Barclay[1] notes that the joy the Lord gives is joy indestructible.

   There is a certain indestructibility in Christian joy. And it is so because Christian joy is in the Lord. Its basis is that the Christian lives for ever in the presence of Jesus Christ. He can lose all things and he can lose all people but he can never lose Christ. And, therefore, even in circumstances where joy would seem to be impossible and there seem to be nothing but pain and discomfort, Christian joy remains because not all the threats and terrors and discomforts of life can separate the Christian from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

It is happiness not dependent on circumstances. In writing to believers in Corinth Paul tells them of the ‘wonderful joy’ being experienced by the members of the churches in Macedonia in spite of their difficulties.

   Now I want to tell you dear friends, what God in his kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia. Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. (2 Corinthians 8:1-2)

The church must also remember that …

Justification Is By Faith Alone (vs. 2-11)

Paul warns of those who would teach otherwise. Paul is referring to the legalists when he warns, “Watch out for those dogs, those wicked men and their evil deeds, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.” (vs. 2) The legalists taught that strict adherence to the Mosaic law was required in order for God to declare a person to be righteous in his sight—that is, to be justified. They failed to understand that because Jesus has borne the penalty of sin as prescribed by the law, those who put their faith in him and accept his sacrificial death as being for them personally are no longer under law but under grace.[2] Paul explains this carefully in another of his letters.

   So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life giving spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the requirements of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

The point of law under consideration here in this letter is that of circumcision. Circumcision as an outward sign of being one of God’s people is no longer needed, writes Paul. He goes on to explain that if a person could be saved by keeping the law then he would surely qualify. He says in this next part of his letter that he had followed the requirements of his religion  better than anyone.

   Yet I could have confidence in myself if anyone could. If others have reason for confidence in their own efforts I have even more! For I was circumcised when I was eight days old, having been born into a pure-blooded Jewish family that is a branch of the tribe of Benjamin. So I am a real Jew if ever there was one! What’s more, I was a member of the Pharisees who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. And zealous? Yes, in fact I harshly persecuted the church. And I obeyed the Jewish law so carefully that I was never accused of any  fault. (vs. 4-6)

But now, following his personal encounter with the Lord,[3] Paul tells us that he regards those religious practices as of no value at all compared to the richness of knowing the Lord. His letter continues …

   I once thought all these things were so very important but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to  obey God’s law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. (vs. 7-9)

Paul is no longer trusting in religious rites but in the person to whom those rites and symbols pointed. The symbols have no power in themselves for they are but shadows of the reality to be found in Christ. Jesus is now our High Priest as well as being the sacrifice offered for the forgiveness of our sins. Another of the Biblical writers explains …

   The old system in the law of Moses was only a shadow of the things to come, not the reality of the good things Christ has done for us. The sacrifices under the old system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshippers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared …

   Under the old covenant, the priest stands before the altar day after day, offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as one sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down at the place of highest honour at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled as a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he perfected forever all those he is making holy. (Hebrews 10:1-2, 11-14)

While reading of Paul’s personal experience, the members of the church in Philippi would have realised how much more there was to learn if they were to know the Lord like he did. Reading more of his experience they would have been reminded that …

The Race Is Still There To Be Won (vs. 12-21)

As his letter continues Paul acknowledges that while much of his race has been run there is still a long way to go.

   I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear friends, I am still not all I should be, but I am focussing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (vs. 12-14)

The Christian race is a marathon, not a sprint. This is why we are reminded that endurance and single-mindedness are required.

   Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

It is clear that Paul is involved in a struggle. It is the struggle of the athlete striving to finish the race. Paul may have two aspects of his struggle in mind. On the one hand he is striving to finish the ministry to which he was called at the time of his conversion when the Lord said of him, “For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.”[4]

In expressing his intention not to give up but to press on in running the race Paul is encouraging his readers to do the same. Pressing on in the Christian life requires us to …

Focus on what is important.

   Paul affirms his intention to keep his life pointed in the direction it should be. “I am focussing all my energies on this one thing …” he writes. (vs. 13) He will not allow himself to be turned aside by things that are not connected with reaching the goal. He illustrates his intention in the word picture he draws from the life of a soldier …

   And as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. (2 Timothy 2:4-5)

Leave the past behind.

   “Forgetting the past …” (vs. 13) Paul’s example encourages us to not look back on past achievements. Leaving the past behind also means not being held back by the memory of past failures. The Lord has forgiven and erased these from his memory.

   I—yes, I alone—am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. (Isaiah 43:25)

Always be looking ahead.

   “… looking forward to what lies ahead … to reach the end of the race and receive the prize … ” (vs. 13-14) Looking forward with the assurance that the Lord is continuing his transforming work in our lives, something John understood well.

   Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)

   Meyer[5] describes his experience this way.

   I have now adopted a new attitude: I am not where I need to be, but thank God I am not where I used to be; I’m OK and I’m on my way.

Be prepared to make an effort.

   Paul expresses it this way, “I strain to reach the end of the race.” (vs. 13) The Greek word ‘επεκτεινω’ (epekteinō) ‘to extend, to stretch forward’ conveys the idea of extending beyond what may be expected, as Hendriksen[6] describes it, “like the runner straining every nerve and muscle as he keeps on running with all his might towards the goal.”

   We keep looking ahead knowing that the way gets brighter the further we travel. Like the increasing brightness of the early morning as the sun begins to rise.

   The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until he full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like complete darkness. Those who follow it have no idea what they are stumbling over. (Proverbs 4:18-19)

Take just one step at a time.

   Look to the Lord to direct each step. As the psalmists would pray with that assurance born of faith …

   Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by any evil. (Psalm 119:133)

   The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

Keep the feet firmly planted.

   Like the deer on mountain heights.

   The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. (Habakkuk 3:19)

   As for God, his way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength. He has made my way safe. He makes me surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights. (Psalm 18:30-33)

Maintain balance.

   Remaining balanced as we press on in our spiritual pilgrimage, contrasts with the instability that James talks about …

   If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can’t make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do. (James 1:5-8)

   Staying balanced means being cool headed as opposed to being hot-headed, clear in our thinking as distinct from having minds filled with confusion, self controlled in contrast to being out of control, sober as against being drunk—drunk with power, self importance, ambition, drugs or alcoholic drinks. Paul and Peter have this to say about steadiness in the Christian life.

   So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be sober. Night is the time for sleep and the time when people get drunk. But let us who live in the light think clearly, protected by the body armour of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8)

   But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you. (2 Timothy 4:5)

   So think clearly and exercise self control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ … The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore be earnest and disciplined in your prayers … Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him and be strong in your faith. (1 Peter 1:13, 4:7, 5:8-9a)

   The word translated ‘sober’ in these letters from the apostles is ‘νηφω’ (nēphō). Its primary meaning is ‘to be sober, to abstain from wine.’ But used figuratively by the New Testament writers its meaning is extended to describe sober thinking and conduct. Hort[7] says that the word describes “a mental state free from all perturbations or stupefactions … every faculty at full command, to look all facts and all considerations  deliberately in the face.” Barclay[8] adds the comment, “The Christian is not to be the victim of crazes. Stability is his badge in an unbalanced and often insane world. 

Ignore the turn offs that lead onto evil pathways.

   Solomon advises his sons to pay no attention to the seductive voice of the temptress for example.
   "Listen to me my sons, and pay attention to my words. Don’t let your hearts stray astray toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many. Numerous men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death." (Proverbs 7:24-27)

Enjoy the journey.

   Take pleasure in the changing scenery, the discoveries being made along the way, the freedom of the walk. Meyer[9] offers this reminder to the pilgrim …

   Enjoy where you are, on the way to where you are going. Enjoy the journey! Don’t waste all of your ‘now time’ trying to rush into the future.

Consolidate what is being learned along the way.

   When he writes, “But we must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already,” (vs. 16) Paul is reminding us that it is necessary to treasure each nugget of truth as it is discovered before more will be revealed. For as Jesus said,

   Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! And be sure to pay attention to what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand—and even more besides. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them. (Mark 4:23-25)

Look at Paul as a model to follow.

   “Dear friends, pattern your lives after mine …” writes Paul. (vs. 17) Barclay[10] refers us to Bengel who translates the verse this way, “Become fellow imitators with me in imitating Jesus Christ.”

Watch out for hazards along the way.

   One such is the lives and teaching of those who deny the great truths of the Christian faith, “whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.” (vs. 18-19) Such people, as Paul has already indicated, are like dogs snapping at our heels as we run. (vs. 2)

   Jesus also leaves us with this warning about them.

   “Beware of these teachers of the religious law! For they love to parade in flowing robes and to have everyone bow to them as they walk in the market places. And how they love the seats of honour in the synagogues and at banquets. But they shamelessly  cheat widows out of their property, and then, to cover up the kind of people they really are, they make long prayers in public. Because of this, their punishment will be greater. (Mark 12:38-40)

   Peter is aware of the danger posed for the Christian pilgrim by wrong  teaching when he writes of those who misinterpret Paul’s letters …

   … those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters around to mean something quite different from what he meant, just as they do other parts of Scripture—and the result is disaster for them. I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends, so that you can watch out and not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people. I don’t want you to lose your own secure footing. But grow in the special favour and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:16b-18)

   Another of the dangers for the pilgrim comes from people who discourage. For example, as from a Demas or Alexander Paul refers to in another of his letters.

   Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica … Alexander the coppersmith has done me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. (2 Timothy 4:10, 14)

   Some further hazards to be aware of are the sinful attitudes that would trip us up. David admits to coming close to falling as envious thoughts crossed his path.

   Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. (Psalm 73:1-3)

Remember who you are as a Christian.

   This is important as we press on in the Christian faith. Paul reminds his readers. “But we are citizens of heaven …” (vs. 20) Barclay[11] explains the word picture Paul is drawing here.

   Here was a picture the Philippians could understand. Philippi was a Roman colony. Here and there at strategic military centres the Romans set down their colonies. In such places the citizens were mainly soldiers who had served their time—twenty one years—and who had been rewarded with full citizenship.

   The great characteristic of these colonies was that, wherever they were, they remained fragments of Rome. Roman dress was worn, Roman magistrates governed, the Latin tongue was spoken, Roman justice was administered, Roman morals were observed. Even in the ends of the earth they remained unshakably Roman. Paul says to the Philippians, “Just as the Roman colonists never forget that they belong to Rome, you must never forget that you are citizens of heaven. And your conduct must match your citizenship.

   Martin[12] writes of this word picture.

   The apostle here indicates the double allegiance of the Philippian Christians. As Roman subjects they are citizens of the far distant capital city of Rome where the Emperor has his residence. As servants of ‘another king, one Jesus,’[13] they are citizens of that capital city where the King of Kings has his domicile, and whose advent to establish his reign on this earth and to rescue his people is awaited.[14] Here on earth meanwhile they are resident aliens who dwell temporarily in a foreign country but have their citizenship elsewhere.[15]

   Paul’s word picture reminds us that Christians have dual citizenship, a heavenly and an earthly.

And finally in pressing on in the Christian walk …

Always be on the lookout for the coming of the Lord.

   Pressing on in the Christian life, Paul confirms that he is looking forward to the Lord’s return. “… we are citizens of heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything everywhere.” (vs. 20-21)