It
is one thing to be able to discern what is false, but it is of much
greater value to know the pattern of the true. Thus the apostle Paul
uses chapter 3 of Philippians to reveal his attitude of heart. In so
doing, he gives us the pattern of what we should look for in a leader.
After
presenting his remarkable pedigree in versus 5 and 6 -- an Israelite by
birth; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the
church; as to the righteousness defined in the Law, found blameless --
Paul then renounces the very things he attained, saying: "But whatever
things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake
of Christ" (v. 7). For the mature man or woman, no position or esteem
among men can replace the "surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus
[our] Lord." Even the most amazing of achievements are reduced to
"rubbish in order that [we] may gain Christ" (v. 8).
Paul separates himself further from the Mosaic Law, revealing that his quest is to "be found in [Christ], not having a righteousness of [his] own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ" (v. 9). Having been saved from the consequences of the Law, and having received a new source of "righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith," Paul is liberated to pursue his true destiny: Christlikeness!
We began this study last week with Paul's admonition to "observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us" (v. 17). In verses 10-11 the Lord reveals the divine template for the new creation man: Christlikeness. With this vision in his mind, Paul continues demonstrating the true pattern as a quest for intimacy and conforming to Christ. He wrote:
"That I may
know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His
sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to
the resurrection from the dead." Paul separates himself further from the Mosaic Law, revealing that his quest is to "be found in [Christ], not having a righteousness of [his] own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ" (v. 9). Having been saved from the consequences of the Law, and having received a new source of "righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith," Paul is liberated to pursue his true destiny: Christlikeness!
We began this study last week with Paul's admonition to "observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us" (v. 17). In verses 10-11 the Lord reveals the divine template for the new creation man: Christlikeness. With this vision in his mind, Paul continues demonstrating the true pattern as a quest for intimacy and conforming to Christ. He wrote:
There
is a difference between knowing a collection of religious truths and
actually knowing Christ. Truth is in Jesus; He Himself in the way, the
truth and the life. To know Him is eternal life, and to live in
fellowship with Him is to partake of the nectar of Heaven.
Yet
knowing Christ also means knowing the fellowship of His sufferings as
we lay down our lives for the redemption of others. For those suffering
for Jesus, remember: participation in His sufferings is part of knowing Him.
Paul did not embrace death as an entity by itself; he embraced Christ's death,
which is not only the death of self but also the triumph of love. It is
this surrender to "death for Jesus' sake" that allows "the life of
Jesus [to] be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2 Cor. 4:11).
Paul
continued in Philippians, "Not that I 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" (Phil. 3:12). Again we are looking at
the pattern God seeks for each of us. A mature Christian is one who lives in pursuit of God!
Paul continues, saying "One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (vv.13–14).
What specifically did Paul choose to "forget"? He let go of the wounds, forgave the offenses, and released to God the disappointments of yesterday. Nothing in Paul's past would be larger than Christ in his future. He pressed toward the prize of possessing Christ.
Many teachers will come and go throughout your life. They will have different styles and unique gifts and graces. But you are looking for the attitudes Paul described in this chapter. Look for those who are pressing toward the prize of Christlikeness. As for the others, pray for them, stand with them and, as you are led by the Lord, encourage them in love and prayer. But remember: Paul set the pattern for us. In these times of deception, accusation and false discernment, let us observe those who walk after the pattern of Paul. Let us discern the influence of Jesus in those who lead us. As we clearly see the Lord, let us follow those who follow Christ
Paul continues, saying "One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (vv.13–14).
What specifically did Paul choose to "forget"? He let go of the wounds, forgave the offenses, and released to God the disappointments of yesterday. Nothing in Paul's past would be larger than Christ in his future. He pressed toward the prize of possessing Christ.
Many teachers will come and go throughout your life. They will have different styles and unique gifts and graces. But you are looking for the attitudes Paul described in this chapter. Look for those who are pressing toward the prize of Christlikeness. As for the others, pray for them, stand with them and, as you are led by the Lord, encourage them in love and prayer. But remember: Paul set the pattern for us. In these times of deception, accusation and false discernment, let us observe those who walk after the pattern of Paul. Let us discern the influence of Jesus in those who lead us. As we clearly see the Lord, let us follow those who follow Christ
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