October 1, 2004, Vol.4, No.19.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "Rejoice
in the Lord (Part 5)" (see
below)
and "Part 6"
"Rejoice
in the Lord"
Devotional Study of Philippians
- part 5
"I Also Count All Things
Loss"
by Keith Sharp
"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted
loss for Christ." (Philippians 3:7)
Years ago, while we lived in the Houston area, an article
appeared in the Houston Post describing America's "nervous
breakdown." The author described Americans as a fast-paced,
wealthy people suffering a multitude of psychological problems
brought on by a pressure filled life-style in pursuit of material
riches. In Philippians three the inspired apostle teaches us
how to have peace and joy regardless of how many things of this
life we have.
The apostle Paul and the first century Christians who followed
his teaching left us an example to imitate as our pattern of
life (Philippians 3:17). Paul is our example in regard to "things."
The writer employs this term "things" five times in
chapter three as a reference to things of this world (verses
7, 8 [two], 13, 19). Since he uses a word that is so general
in application, we can apply the principles of the lesson to
whatever worldly things are dear to us.
Paul the Accountant (verses 1-11)
First Paul presents to us his past life and what he
did relative to those things that were most important to him.
Paul counted all these things as loss in comparison to
the things in Christ. He had proper values.
After again reminding the Christians in Philippi to rejoice
in the Lord (verse 1), he warns them of the danger of teachers
who would lead them into Judaism (verse 2). Christians are the
true circumcision, whose standing with God and values are spiritual
and through Christ rather than fleshly (verse 3; cf. Colossians
2:11-12).
Paul himself was eminent in Judaism and had devoted himself
completely to the righteousness of the law (verses 4-5; Galatians
1:14). But when he looked back on all that meant everything to
him in his past life and compared them to Christ, he realized
that all these things were loss (verse 7). Indeed Paul had lost
all that was important to him in his old life, but, compared
with the knowledge of Christ, those things were just rubbish
(verse 8). Paul the Accountant placed all things of this
world in the debit column and only the things of Christ on the
credit side. Whatever things of this world are important to us
- material riches, pleasures, popularity, even family ties -
we should view as loss for Christ. The reason is that only in
Christ can we have true righteousness, the righteousness from
God through Christ by faith, and attain to the resurrection to
eternal life (verses 9-11).
Paul the Athlete (verses 12-16)
Then Paul applies this principle to his present life. Paul
the Athlete is pressing on to eternal life. He has
proper vigor.
Paul realized that he had not yet laid hold of the prize,
eternal life, nor was his character and life yet complete as
a flawless imitation of the character and life of Christ (verse
12). But as an athlete striving for the goal, he was not looking
back but was pressing on, reaching for the goal of eternal life
(verse 13-14).
All mature Christians so strive, and those who haven't yet
learned to so live can learn to do so (verse 15). Regardless
of our level of spiritual maturity, we must live by the same
divine standard, the will of Christ, and have the same attitude,
the determination to forget the things of the world we left behind
and press on to spiritual maturity and eternal life (verse 16;
cf.1:27).
Paul the Citizen (verses 17 - 21)
Finally Paul speaks of his future. Paul the Citizen
describes the way he walks. He has proper vision.
There were many who lived in such a way that Paul wept to
speak of them. They were the enemies of the cross, the emblem
of Christ's sacrifice for us, their destiny was destruction,
they worshiped their own appetites and they were proud of the
things of which they should have been ashamed. Who were they?
Those "who set their mind on earthly things." (verses
18-19) If worldly things dominate our thinking and our lives,
we are those people.
I have traveled in several foreign lands, but I always remember
that I am an American citizen, enjoying the great privileges
and rights of citizenship in the greatest democracy that has
ever existed. Paul exhorts us to remember where our citizenship
is. As the patriarchs of old, we must be just pilgrims here,
journeying through a world where we are foreigners. As a citizens
of the kingdom of heaven, "our citizenship is in heaven."
(verse 20)
Thus, we eagerly wait for the coming of the King. When He
comes he will change our lowly bodies to correspond with His
glorious, resurrection body. That same power by which He will
put everything in subjection to Himself, even death itself, is
the power by which He will raise and transform us (verses 20-21).
"O Lord, come!" (1 Corinthians 16:22)
Conclusion
The "things" of this world bring no true peace and
joy. No one ever has everything he wants, and we will die and
leave it all behind. True peace and joy come from counting "all
things loss for Christ." Where are our minds? Where is our
citizenship?
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