Philippians 3
Philippians 3:1-7:
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
|
Philippians 3:8:
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, |
 Steve Gallagher
"We are no longer under the authority of the God of this world, because our relationship with him has been severed. We are children of the true God. Our greatest priority is to get to know this captain of our soul. That's why Paul wrote, 'I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord' (Phil 3:8).
-Steve Gallagher; At The Idol of Sexual Idolatry |
Philippians 3:9-11:
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
|
Philippians 3:12:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. |
The one and only principle which explains human progress is the presence of God, and, as grounded in God, that progress must be "On and always on," for no finite achievement can body forth the infinite perfection. Humility deepens with each step in advance. "Not as though I had already attained," says Paul, "either were already perfect, but I follow after...forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching into those things which are before." On NO other view is the progress of human experience explicable.
|
Robert Haldane
All believers are saints, and in one sense all of them are equally sanctified (ie, set apart for God). They are equally separated or consecrated to God, and equally justified, but they are not all equally holy. The work of sanctification in them is progressive. There are babes, young men, and fathers in Christ. Some are weak in faith, and some are strong; but none of them are yet perfect, neither have they attained to that measure of holiness at which it is their duty constantly to aim (see Phil 3:12).
They are therefore to forget those things which are behind, and to reach forth to those things which are before, and are commanded to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more until the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18)
From these premises the conclusion follows, that no one truly associates themselves with the faithful (Christ’s true people), who do not place a certain degree of confidence in the Lord’s kindness to them; although being undeserving and wretched sinners, being called by His goodness, they aspire to holiness. ‘For He has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.’ --Robert Haldane; MacDonald Publishing Company, An Exposition of Romans
They are therefore to forget those things which are behind, and to reach forth to those things which are before, and are commanded to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more until the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18)
From these premises the conclusion follows, that no one truly associates themselves with the faithful (Christ’s true people), who do not place a certain degree of confidence in the Lord’s kindness to them; although being undeserving and wretched sinners, being called by His goodness, they aspire to holiness. ‘For He has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.’ --Robert Haldane; MacDonald Publishing Company, An Exposition of Romans
|
Philippians 3:14:
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” |
Christology is that part of theology that concerns itself with the human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It also includes such aspects of Christ’s life as the incarnation and resurrection.
Under the umbrella of Christology is soteriology. The study of salvation is called soteriology. Soteriology treats Christ’s work of salvation. As such, it studies God’s plan, purpose, and actions in saving humanity from the effects of sin. Soteriology also encompasses the fall of man and sin in general. Also included within the purview of soteriology is the study of why human beings require a savior and how human beings are justified and sanctified. -David Schloss; Summa Catholic |
|
Philippians 3:18-19:
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. |
 Oscar Amaechina
The Apostle Paul was emphatic when he warned the Philippian Church to be careful of this group of people. "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ"(Philippians 3:18). They pretend to be godly but secretly work against the Gospel. They oppress and secretly persecute those who love and preach the cross. Jesus also warned His disciples to be careful of those who are demonic but parade themselves as angels of light: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (Mathew 7:15). In our time, there are similar false prophets, and their mode of operation has never changed. --Oscar Amaechina; Christian Post; 2.24.22
|
To claim to come to God, but to be seeking happiness and joy as an end unto itself, that is described quite despairingly by Paul himself:
“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” – Philippians 3:18-19
We have a lot of false teachers who worship their appetites and desires, whose god is their belly, and being filled up with happiness is the point of Christianity. These are the most dangerous false teachers in modern times, far more in number than cultist faiths, world religions, or other oft-targeted groups. And yet, for some reason, we seem hesitant at times to call out men like Joel Osteen and Pat Robertson, and warn Christians of the dangers of their teachings. Instead, we like to say that we “have some differences” or some similar euphemism.
The life of the Christian is one of service, not one of expecting God to grant me what I want. It’s like we stop treating God like a genie, and preach with severity against those that do.
“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” – Philippians 3:18-19
We have a lot of false teachers who worship their appetites and desires, whose god is their belly, and being filled up with happiness is the point of Christianity. These are the most dangerous false teachers in modern times, far more in number than cultist faiths, world religions, or other oft-targeted groups. And yet, for some reason, we seem hesitant at times to call out men like Joel Osteen and Pat Robertson, and warn Christians of the dangers of their teachings. Instead, we like to say that we “have some differences” or some similar euphemism.
The life of the Christian is one of service, not one of expecting God to grant me what I want. It’s like we stop treating God like a genie, and preach with severity against those that do.