What is it that brings us into the blessed fellowship that we enjoy? In any case, indeed, to the Christian, death is gain; but he could best say it who could say, "To me to live is Christ," who could say it not merely as the faith of Him, but as a matter of simple, unconstrained, spontaneous enjoyment of Christ in practical ways. THE WORTHLESSNESS OF THE LAW AND THE VALUE OF CHRIST ( Php_3:8-9 ). He was willing to do any thing, or suffer any thing, that he might attain that resurrection. So this is Paul's answer to the Jewish teachers. There is a Rabbinic saying, "The nations of the world are like dogs." As we are just now, our bodies are subject to change and decay, illness and death, the bodies of a state of humiliation compared with the glorious state of the Risen Christ; but the day will come when we will lay aside this mortal body which we now possess and become like Jesus Christ himself. "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." It is not love growing less but more, and this abounding in intelligence and knowledge, which could not be looked for in saints just beginning their career. But that power displays itself not in our strength, or wisdom, or any conferred resources. This is a claim that Paul makes more than once ( Acts 22:3; Acts 23:6; Acts 26:5). Soul (14+ yrs) CY (11-14 yrs) Epic Explorers (kids) Universal Editions; Promotional materials; Translations; Booklets and tracts; Books; Shop by Type; Evangelistic Books; God, I thank you that I am so good," that pride and self-righteousness. Not in a figurative sense, the resurrection from the death of sin to a life of grace, of which Christ is the efficient cause, for this the apostle had attained to; unless the consummation of that spiritual life, in perfect holiness, should be intended, than which nothing was more desirable by him; nor in a representative sense, for this also he enjoyed in Christ his head, being risen with him, and in him, when he rose from the dead; but in a literal sense and designs not the general resurrection of the just and unjust, which he believed; for he knew that everyone must, and will attain to this, even Pharaoh, Judas, and the worst of men; but the special and particular resurrection of the righteous, the better resurrection, which will be first, and upon the personal coming of Christ, and by virtue of union to him, and in a glorious manner, and to everlasting life and happiness: and when the apostle says, "if by any means" he might attain to this, it is not to be understood as if he doubted of it, which would be inconsistent with his firm persuasion, that nothing should separate him from the love of God, and with his full assurance of faith, as to interest in Jesus Christ; but it denotes the difficulty of attaining it, since through various afflictions and great tribulations a believer must pass, before he comes to it; and also the apostle's earnest desire of it, and strenuous endeavour for it; not caring what scenes of trouble, or sea of sorrow what fiery trials, severe sufferings, or cruel death he went through, so be it he obtained as he believed he should, the glorious and better resurrection; he counted not his life dear to himself, he loved it not unto death, having in view the blissful and happy state after it. I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead: Paul has discussed in these verses the concepts of justification and sanctification, and now he speaks of the believers glorification. Whoever they were, Paul reminds them of one great truth: "Our citizenship," he says, "is in heaven." The Resurrection of Christ is the guarantee that this life is worth living and that the physical body is sacred; it is the guarantee that death is not the end of life and that there is a world beyond; it is the guarantee that nothing in life or in death can separate us from him. The power of the resurrection follows the fellowship of the suffering and the cross. For, let me ask, what is our title to communion? How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times, 4 Ways the Parable of the Sower Encourages Spiritual Growth. It may be remarked here, that from an expression often misunderstood in Philippians 2:1-30 it might seem as if the apostle wished somehow to weaken their confidence. But whatever might be their own proper joy, whatever might be their delight in that which God works in the church, they had full and simple-hearted fellowship with His good news. So, let this be your mind, let this be your attitude, follow me. The fitter we grow for heaven the faster we must press towards it. 1. He had experienced it at its highest point; and he knew that it was nothing compared with the joy which Christ had given. I made it myself." Do with them as you will, they still defy you But if you will hand over the conflict to Jesus, He will subdue them; He will bring them under his strong, subjecting hand. Here the King James Version is dangerously misleading. This place throughout is one of promoting, enlarging, deepening, and purifying the experience of the saints themselves in that which filled his own heart with joy in the Lord. His worship is love of God and service of men. "Well, I didn't finish it, but I ran in it." With Him you will be right about the gospel, right about the church, right about doctrine, walk, and service. "That is why God apprehended you; He has a glorious plan and a purpose for your future. It is not one who cherished a trust in the Lord's fidelity spite of what was visible. [Note: Idem, "Raised to Run," Grace Evangelical Society News 6:8 (August 1991):2.]. Supposing, for instance, we mingle with Christ knowledge or intelligence about this truth or that practice, does it not give a necessary prominence to certain distinctive points, which so far must make Christ of less account? Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. 2.]. And Paul writes. Therefore, do what you like with it; since it is evil anyhow it makes no difference what you do with it. They contributed to his. Paul said, "One receives the prize, and you run to obtain." and here I am in my little pompous righteous throne, judging everybody else who isn't living by my standards. It had been the commandment of God to Abraham: "He that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you" ( Genesis 17:12); and that commandment had been repeated as a permanent law of Israel ( Leviticus 12:3). But all in heaven and on earth shall be in reconciliation with God and headed up in Christ, with whom the Church shall share the unbounded inheritance. There is no getting to heaven as our home but by Christ as our way. View Exodus on the Timeline. Will it be said that this is what the apostle felt, and did, and suffered in the freshness of his first acquaintance with Christ? 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. Yes. "Now, the fact that we are sitting here tonight, we can all say the same thing, "I am not yet apprehended that for which I was apprehended." Such is the thought that the apostle had before his soul of that which became the Christian. All Commentaries Videos Images Devotionals Other Translations Sermons Related Scriptures Podcasts Blogs. It expresses expectation. "Reaching forth to those things which are before, I press," and the word in the Greek is agonizo. Impossible that He could be made Jehovah. Press On! Hence he says, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." If the past experience has not been translated into the present, then it really has no value at all. And you can become a phony, because, you know, you set your own standards; you live by your own rules. Better not make them known to men; it is a dangerous snare. Anything I do for myself is a waste of time and effort. Not so. I would like to know Him in the power of His resurrection. Israel was the name which had been specially given to Jacob by God after his wrestling with him ( Genesis 32:28). WebPhilippians 3:11. (2.) Looking to the Lord, as it is the life-breath of love, so it adds to the value of brotherly kindness in its season. Not the passive side of the Christian as being in the world, but the active comes before us. Oh, grave where is thy victory?" And she saw this young girl, modeling her dress and she said, "Would you mind going with me?" First of all He emptied Himself, becoming a slave and a man; and having thus come down, so as to take His place in the likeness of men, He, found in figure as a man, humbled Himself, becoming obedient even to the lowest point of degradation here below. It is his state and experience every day, as to which his hope was that in nothing he should be ashamed; "but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ. Obviously this out-resurrection is something which is capable of many degrees depending on the measure of ones faithfulness. Let me think of myself as one that is serving Him (oh, how feebly and failingly!) The old life, you know, I accounted loss. 4. They declared that they were within the grace of God and that, therefore, it did not matter what they did; God would forgive. Paul said, "I have not yet apprehended that for which I was apprehended. i. Savior was a title given to the Caesars. ", "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." John When they returned from the exile, it was from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah that the nucleus of the reborn nation was formed ( Ezra 4:1). Surely there must have been something seriously wrong to judge in him! The question is at once settled as a matter of faith. His being out of sight rather made the remembrance of his words and ways the more distinct, and imparted a chastened earnestness to their desires of pleasing the Lord. There is nothing so unaffectedly humble as real faith, and, above all, that character of faith which lives on Christ, and which consequently lives Christ. So he tells them that he always thus remembered them for their "fellowship with the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.". WebFor we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit ( Philippians 3:3 ), Paul was constantly emphasizing that the physical rites had no value except there be a The resurrection is the ultimate goal for all Christians. They nevertheless seem to have been disheartened, even distanced, from their faith by Pauls imprisonment. It is not the physical experience that saves, it is the spiritual: the death to the old nature and the old man in my heart, the reckoning of myself to be dead, and living that new life in the resurrected Lord. (i) We worship in the Spirit of God; or, we worship God in the Spirit. It is not at all a question of what one has here. I don't know about this suffering bit. Pastor Mark Schlamann. b. Certainly this is painful and humbling. In rich measure did the apostle live thus himself it was the one thing he did; and he would have the saints to be living in it too. When the Jews wished to stress their special relationship to God in its most unique sense it was the word Israelite that they used. Not only was an utterly wrong spirit indulged in the work itself, and toward others engaged actually in it; but even as to the apostle, shut out from such service, a desire to pain and wound was not wanting. 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