Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians+3.1-14

Scripture

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call in God in Christ Jesus.

Observation

Paul tells us to beware of the mutilators of the flesh, those who trust in circumcision rather than in Christ. Paul is the peak of Jewishness and if anyone had reason to trust in the flesh it was him.

Now whatever gains he had he counts them all but loss. Everything is rubbish compared with the surpassing value of knowing Christ. His one goal now is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. He has not yet achieved this but he presses on towards the goal for the prize of knowing Christ.

Application

For Paul there was only one thing in life worth pursuing- a closer relationship with Christ.

Many people are seduced into believing that we can share worldly goals as well as godly goals. As Christians our focus must always be on Christ and Him alone.

Our work must be to glorify God. Our home life and social life must equally be avenues for pursuing Christ.

This means that we are not free to do what pleases us. In everything Christ calls the shots. It is not good enough to plan our own destiny and ask for God to bless it.

A football player who presses towards the goal is not free to pursue his own game. He is part of a team under the direction of a captain and a coach. In the same way, our lives must be subject in every way to he direction of the Holy Spirit, Otherwise we will miss our goal- fellowship with God.

Prayer

Lord help me to press towards the goal of communion with you. May I not be distracted by the things of this world, but rather let me be always focussed on you. Amen.

Scripture

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Observation

Many live in opposition to the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction because they worship the flesh, and their minds are set on earthly things.

Our citizenship is in heaven, and our bodies will be transformed form a place of humiliation to a place of glory. Therefore we must stand firm.

Application

A christian’s allegiance is not to this world but to heaven. The people of the world pursue worldly goals and seek to maximise their personal pleasure.

As citizens of heaven, we must not merely pursue earthly desires. We have a much higher destiny in view.

To some extent we all compromise in some ways with our culture. We must not look to the world to tells us how to live. It is Christ, through the Scriptures and the conviction of the indwelling Holy spirit who directs our thinking and our actions.

For this reason we will always be at odds with unbelievers and with the culture. We can expect to be vilified and hated because God’s values are so different from those of sinful people.

Regardless, we must stand firm and, at the end of the age, we will be transformed into the glory of Christ,

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that this world is not all there is. I thank you that you have called me to eternity. Amen.

Scripture

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Observation
Christ is the Son of God. He is divine, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.. Yet He did not cling to that position. Instead He let go and humbled Himself, becoming human.

In total obedience to God, He humbled Himself to the place of suffering, the cross.

Then God lifted Him up, raised Him from the grave and up to heaven, giving Him the name above all names so that every tongue will confess He is Lord and every knee bow to Him to the glory of God the Father.

Application
The way up is down!

With God our status or position is not to be held on to tightly.

Satan sought equality with God and failed.

Jesus let go of His equality with God and was lifted up.

Here is a mystery that is also a key to life in God’s kingdom. We win by losing, we gain by serving, we are at our highest when we are most humble.

Whatever source of pride we have we must let go of it and allow God to take it and redeem it.

My attitude must be like Christ, who set aside all heavenly thrones to become the servant of all, dying for our salvation, in order to be exalted above all creation.

Prayer
Father I see that I need to set aside all pride and selfish ambition. Help me to have the heart of a servant so that you will be glorified in me. Amen.

Scripture

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again- rejoice!

Observation
Paul exhorts the Philippians to stay true to the Lord. In particular, two women who have disagreed are to settle the matter.

Rejoice always, Paul tells us. We must nor be anxious about anything, but instead we should pray and trust the Lord.

We should fix our thoughts on what is right and honourable, lovely and admirable. And then we need to put into practice what we have learned.

Application
All the directions of our relationships need to be constantly worked on. Our relationship with God comes first and everything needs to be seen in that light. Prayer and faith lead to peace and joy.

By being consumed with negative things, our internal lives are damaged. We need to give our attention to what is good and honourable to allow our souls to be healed, and for godly values to flow out of our hearts.

If there are conflicts in our lives we need to reconcile them. It’s fine to disagree with others, but we must not allow that to break relationships, particularly with other christians.

When we put into practice the teachings of scripture we find that our lives are changed and we make a difference in the lives of everyone around us, including unbelievers.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for saving me and for the promise of peace in every situation as I submit myself to you. Please help me to lay everything at your feet in prayer. Amen.

Scripture

More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Observation
Paul was against those who put their trust in circumcision. This is a work of the flesh. Paul was the most Jewish of Jews, zealous in everything, but this did him no good.

Now he sees that everything is loss compared to knowing Christ. He just wants to know Christ and to share in the power of the resurrection.

He hasn’t yet reached this goal but he presses on. His goal is the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Application
Paul’s overarching aim is to know Christ more, but not in a fleshly, self-directed way. He longs for a deeper fellowship with Christ. All of his work and his suffering come from this desire to know Christ more.

I need to make that my aim also. There is no disappointment, no sense of failure, no conflict of interests when all we want is to know Him more.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, come and reveal yourself more fully to me. Help me to make Paul’s desire my own. Amen.