Philippians 3:7-11

COMMENTS

Paul was an amazing Christian.  I am so far below his level of spiritual maturity that, were it not that salvation is through faith alone, I couldn’t even be called a Christian.  But Paul is not my standard; Jesus Christ is.  That’s an even more daunting level to attain.  What’s amazing is that He does the work, even in that.  As Paul told us in Chapter 1 Verse 6:

“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Baby steps, Brenda!

NOTES

Paul now dismisses and pretty much discards references to salvation by works (except for verse 9).  Formerly, he placed all his “bets” on that failed system.  Now he says that was “loss” (v. 7, 8) and “rubbish” (v. 8).  So, what is now worth his time, worth his life?  “Knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (v. 8).  One of the things that stood out to me as I studied this is that Paul doesn’t say “knowing Christ Jesus AS my Lord”, he says “knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”.  He wanted more than a savior—he wanted a relationship with the one who saved him!  That theme is repeated in verse 10:  “I want to know Christ….”  Is relationship with Him a priority for me?  Am I living my life with that as my goal, or am I just looking for fire insurance?  Do I consider that as I plan my day and go about my daily activities?  Unfortunately, far too often, I don’t.

Paul, however, took it even further.  He wasn’t content with simply having a relationship with Jesus Christ; he wanted to know and experience everything as Christ did:

1.     The power of Christ’s resurrection

2.     The fellowship of sharing in His suffering

3.     Becoming like Him in His death

4.     Attaining to the resurrection from the dead

Folks, that takes this to a whole new level!  I can fairly easily say that I want relationship with Jesus.  I can even say that I want to know the power of His resurrection and to attain the resurrection from the dead.  But if I’m honest, I cannot say that I want to share in His suffering; and the only way I want to become like Him in death is to be raised from it!

I remind you all at this point that I’m not a theologian.  No doubt, I’ve missed some very important things in these verses that I would know if I were.  But I know enough to know that I’m not there yet; and the thought of being there is a little scary to me.

Yet, deep inside is that desire—that HUNGER—to be just like Him.  I’m so far from that; but Lord, don’t give up on me; carry your good work in me to completion.