Today's lesson comes from Philippians 3: 3-15. This study deals with the danger of Jewish teachers trying to draw the Philippian believers into a life of rituals and legalism. Paul counters this danger by relating that he had every advantage of the Jewish faith, and yet was spiritually destitute. His outlook was totally changed when he met Christ. Paul then became one who was "all out" for Jesus. He was running the race to gain the prize. It will take such a total dedication to make it to heaven.
We face similar situations today. Some Messianic Jews attempt to bring Gentile believers under the entire Jewish law. This is flawed for several reasons. First, Acts 15 decided the issue for Gentile believers. Second, no one is absolutely Torah observant today. Of the 613 original commandments, because of the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, only 77 positive and 194 negative remain. In addition, 26 apply only within the land of Israel. However, we have other sects of Christianity that attempt to make the faith one of works-based righteousness. You are saved by faith alone, in Christ alone, and by faith alone. A false sect will be identified by adding to the sufficiency of Christ. If you are told that you are saved by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ plus _____________, it doesn't matter what is filled in the blank, that group of people does not believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. So as we study this lesson, let us be very mindful of the applicability of the material in 2021.
The first section is: "No Confidence in the Flesh." (vv. 3-7) Paul lists his advantages in the Jewish faith in verses five and six:
1. Circumcised the 8th day in accordance with the Torah;
2. He was from the tribe of Benjamin (he was not a proselyte);
3. He made a choice to become a Pharisee, the strictest sect of Judaism;
4. He persecuted the new Christian church; and
5. He was righteous under the Jewish law.
Yet, Paul took all the above advantages and traded them for a life of following the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not exchange one religion for another, he renounced his religion of self-righteousness that he might gain "Christ." All world religions fall into one of two categories. You gain favor by your own works or you rely on the act of another on your behalf. Only true Christianity is found in the latter. All other faiths are work based, so you have no assurance of success.
Paul wrote that the true believers were circumcised inwardly as opposed to the Jewish circumcision in the flesh, which was outward. A true believer does not rejoice in his works as a basis of his salvation. He boasts in what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for him.
The summary of this section is:
1. No matter how righteous you think you are in the flesh, it is insufficient to save you.
2. A Christian trusts the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for his salvation.
3. Being religious will not save you (I call them "unsaved religionist").
The second section is: "Count All Things but Loss." (vv. 8-11) In verse 7, Paul states that he "counted loss" those things which were his advantages in life. He repeats this in verse 8, "count all things but loss." Paul was "sold out" for the Lord Jesus Christ. He had released his hold on anything else for his salvation. Paul was no longer trying to establish his "own righteousness, which is of the law." By faith, he had experienced "the righteousness which is of God." Paul learned that man's efforts to save himself were imperfect, incomplete, and frustrating.
Paul had three desires:
1. To "win Christ" (v. 8);
2. To "be found in Him" (v. 9); and
3. To "know Him" (v. 10).
Paul desired a vital union with Christ. He loved Him so much that he did not draw back from the "fellowship of His sufferings. (v. 10)" As a real Christian, you can anticipate suffering for your faith. When you stand against the social sins of the day, e.g. homosexual marriage, transgender rights, or abortion, you will be persecuted. Are you all in to the place that you are willing to experience the "fellowship of His sufferings"? In verse 11, Paul seeks to attain the first resurrection of the dead. This is not the general resurrection. This is the resurrection of the righteous dead. Is that your goal as well?
The summary points of this section are:
1. Have you sold all out that you might have Christ?
2. If you have Christ, you have all you need.
3. It is only through grace alone, by faith alone, and in Christ alone that you can be saved.
The third section is: "Press Toward the Mark." (vv. 12-15) Paul uses the symbolism of a runner running a race. The runner keeps his eyes on the prize and is straining toward the finish line. The runner does not slow down during the race. In verse 12, Paul says, "Not as though I had already attained...." Paul was still alive so he was still running. He had not finished his race. If you are reading this, you haven't either. In verse 13, Paul tells the readers that he was not relying on past accomplishments, but he was "reaching forth." In verse 14, he describes himself as pressing toward the prize. He was diligent to keep running the race until he reached the end of his natural life. In verse 15, he described himself as "perfect." There is no contradiction here. The word means "mature." Some who have matured in the faith, get older, and want to watch from the sidelines. There is no retirement in the Bible. Those mature in the faith should be striving toward their finish line just like Paul did.
The summary points of this section are:
1. There is no retirement in the Christian's life.
2. You are to run the race with an eye on the final prize, the glories of heaven.
3. It takes effort to run and the Christian willingly embraces the race.
The Golden Text is: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings." (Phil. 3: 10) This is the essence of "pressing toward the mark." We are to not just seek to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, but we must also embrace His sufferings. We will be tried by a fiery trials. No, not like in the days of Rome, but it may mean you will face the "cancel culture," lose financial stability, and friends or relatives. Whatever you lose for the cause of Christ will be worth it. This week, "press toward the mark"!
Next week, "Christian Contentment." (Philippians 4: 4-13; 17-20)
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