Paul had been writing to encourage the church in Philippi. In Chapter 1, He had many friends there, and he missed and longed for them. Even though he was imprisoned and in chains, he was seeing God’s providence and sovereignty in being able to spread the Gospel to all who were able to hear. He said even though he was in chains, everyone knew that he was in chains for Jesus Christ. He encouraged the church to share in the mindset of Jesus Christ. He said they should share in Jesus humility and obedience to God the father. The mindset of Jesus was described in a poetic creed. The creed said that although Jesus shared attributes of God in nature and form, he didn’t grasp or cling to the desire to be God, instead he emptied himself and took the form of humble servant. Last month we read the end of chapter 2 where Paul wrote about his plan, God willing, to send Epaphroditus and possibly Timothy back to the church to check in and minister to the congregation there. In reading about Epaphroditus and Timothy, we are given examples of what that like mindedness and servant heart look like, demonstrated in real life.

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

He continues the letter by reminding them to rejoice in the Lord. There are many things in this life we can rejoice in, so many things we can celebrate or take pleasure in. It’s easy to forget the most important thing in which to rejoice. Some translations don’t just say to rejoice in the Lord, but rejoice in our union with the Lord. It’s kind of abstract to say we are rejoicing in the Lord, or God as a concept, or even the Lordship of his Son. I’m not saying it’s impossible, we could rejoice in the Lord, his character, his nature, and His transcendence over time and space, but most of what we know of him is learned from scripture, and most of scripture is framed around God’s creation, and of that creation, almost all of it is about humanity. So when scripture tells us to rejoice in the Lord, sometimes an easier application is when we see our identity with God, or our Union with The Lord, it makes it easier to appreciate and rejoice in something. When we rejoice in our union with God, we acknowledge it’s our relationship with God that should be our primary driver for our joy in life. There are many reasons that this relationship with God should give us most of our joy. The first is the importance. Our union with God should be the most important aspect of our lives, influencing our character, and giving meaning to our existence. It should shape our world view and permeate through our hearts and motivation. Our union with God should be our everything! It is the most consequential and highest impact relationships we can have. On the contrary, some people place their joy in things that are meaningless or of trifling consequence. I know someone at work who will throw crumpled up paper into the garbage can like a basketball shot. He is really happy when he makes the shot and really disappointed when he misses. Now, for a select few people on this earth, their livelihood and life work is making baskets, and I can understand having a joy related to how well they do their job. But for my coworker, throwing his old papers away in that manner isn’t his job and nobody around the desk really cares if he makes the shot or not, and there is no lasting impact on any of our lives whatsoever. He should not rejoice in something so meaningless. This example is a bit silly, but anytime we rejoice in the things of this earth, those things pale in comparison to the relationship we have with God, and the goodness of those earthly things is inferior to the Goodness and character of God. The union we have with God is the source of our joy, and that union is only available in the Lord Jesus Christ. Speaking of Jesus, when we read Rejoice in the Lord, we can also rejoice in our oneness and unity that we have with the Lord Jesus Christ, in his service in life, his obedience up to death, and we place our hope in that promise that we will also be united in his resurrection. The relationship with God is not just important in it’s quality and scope, but also it’s duration. It’s an infinite or eternal relationship, which means all the other things we are tempted to rejoice IN are fleeting and passing away by comparison. Paul keeps saying to rejoice in the Lord, and he will say it a few more times in his letter, but he writes that repetition and reminders aren’t a trouble or a hassle for Paul. Other translations Paul says it’s not tiresome for him to repeat himself. In fact, these reminders are helpful tools to safeguard the church’s behavior and doctrine. To that point, he gives them a warning to watch out for dogs, evildoers, mutilators of the flesh. This seems directed at the circumcision movement that is preaching Christ plus circumcision. Christ Plus works is not Grace. If there is any work that needs to accompany the grace, that work is required for salvation, and the grace is insufficient. Paul explains that we are circumcision. We serve God by his Spirit, we who boast in Jesus Christ alone, we who put no confidence in our flesh. Paul wrote a lot about circumcision. He wrote in Romans 2:25-29, circumcision is of value if you obey the law, but breaking the law becomes uncircumcision. Circumcision was an act that the Hebrews did to signify their pact with God. Circumcision was an outward sign of being set apart for God, but a sinful heart would make the person uncircumcised. And the opposite is also true if you obey the law, and are physically uncircumcised, your obedience becomes circumcision, and your actions condemn those who break the law but are circumcised. Actions trump symbolic Gestures. But remember our actions are not good. Paul concludes there that circumcision is a matter of the heart, by way of the Spirit. This statement isn’t conflicting or contrary to old testament doctrine. He isn’t just making something up or explaining away not following some of the law. In Deuteronomy 30, there’s a promise that God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring so you will love the Lord with all your heart and soul, and you will live! Paul understands that circumcision is a matter of the heart and of the spirit. Not the flesh. Because the flesh plays no role, we can not boast or have any confidence in our flesh. We can only boast in Jesus Christ and his works. Paul continues with the idea of no confidence in the flesh:

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Paul is describing all the things that would give a Jew confidence, and that he possesses all of those things. He had a legal circumcision, is a member of the people of Israel, from the Tribe of Benjamin. He studied and followed the written code and the human conventions to a tee. He was a Pharisee, so he made himself an expert of the laws in the Torah. He was zealous for the kingdom of God, so much so that he would persecute who he thought were unbelievers. He was an example of the perfect Jew, and had a perfect pedigree, ancestry, and upbringing to understand and follow the law. He had every reason to put confidence in his flesh. But that confidence was actually a hindrance to truth.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

All the things he was, and knew, and did; those things that were considered gain in the Jewish faith were actually loss because they kept him from the truth of the Gospel. Those things couldn’t compare to being presented with God’s grace found in Christ. Being circumcised outwardly is nothing compared to being born again of God’s spirit. In fact, if you place all your confidence in the outward physical circumcision, that misplaced confidence will cause you to miss the truth in Christ. If you place any confidence in your upbringing, you will think John the Baptist’s words were utter nonsense. John the Baptist warning “Do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham”. If you have confidence in your flesh like paul did, and you have zeal for the Old Covenant, you will go on persecuting churches, hoping your zeal will win God’s favor, all the while you are persecuting the son of God himself. All the Gain that Paul could imagine actually was loss for him. And in verse 8, he even ups the ante and says that he considers everything a loss, because of the substantial value in knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord, and for Jesus sake he lost all things.

All the things we cling to are garbage in comparison to clinging to Christ. When Paul describes Gaining Christ, what does that mean? Read on

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Gaining Christ means being found in Him. It’s beautiful because it’s not an accomplishment. Gaining Christ isn’t like gaining wealth, or gaining status. Paul says it’s being found in Him. In old Greek, they use the work Heurisko, which means to find something regardless of if you sought it out or not. It means to learn something by enquiry, discover, or to find something out. The finding doesn’t have to mean he was lost without Christ and has been found, but it could mean to be discovered a certain way. Jesus said take my yoke upon you, learn from me, and you will find rest. Finding rest, heurisko means discover, acquire by learning or understanding. So Paul wants to be found, not with any confidence in his flesh, but discovered In Christ. A state of being, not in the Flesh, not in the World, not in Works, Not in condemnation. In Grace, In a relationship with the Son, and therefore in a relationship with the Father. In the spirit, not in the Flesh. Under Love instead of under God’s judgement and wrath. In the sabbath rest, instead of in the law. The second half of the verse says, Righteousness, not from his own works, but that comes through a faith in the true Righteousness of Jesus Christ. One of the nicknames we can call Jesus Christ is “My Righteousness”. Because he alone was righteous, his works alone were sufficient and worthy. And because His rightousness is now something that was imputed or placed upon us. Any righteousness we have is because of the work of Jesus Christ. And when we say the possessive “My” righteousness, we lay claim and associate ourselves with Him. It’s not something we do, but it’s something we believe and therefore is by faith. That faith comes from God, not from within. When we have that faith it stirs us to live by the spirit and not by the flesh. Paul continues

10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

There’s a desire that Paul describes here. Having a faith not in his own flesh, but a faith in a circumcision that comes from the Spirit, and being made righteous to God, by the works of Jesus Christ, all of this makes him want to know Christ. If you profess a love for God, and a faith in Jesus Christ, this will make you want to know him more and more. The word Know here the Greek Gnonai is more than just a passing awareness of something, or a familiarity with how to do something. This Gnonai knowledge means to understand through a shared relationship and personal experience. Some people say they are Christians, but they don’t have this desire to know Christ more. They don’t want to understand, to experience a oneness and unity with their savior. It makes me think of similar relationships we have with other people. There are certain types of people who are a friend, you’re on good terms with them, but you never really hear from them unless they need you for something. They are friends on the surface because they aren’t enemies, they don’t wish you bad or anything like that, but based on their actions, they are only friends when it’s convenient or helpful for them. When you analyse it for what it is, you realize they are actually more friends with themselves than you. There’s no desire for a shared understanding or to bond and get to know each others character. It’s not terrible, to have a few “friends” like that in your life but it’s not fulfilling. Now i’m not saying you have to have deep relationships with everyone, but you don’t want to treat your relationship with Jesus Christ like that type of shallow, “I’ll call you if I need anything” type of relationship. To Paul, Jesus wasn’t just the guy he used as his savior. Like, I got this guy who is great at mechanic work, he’s my go to car guy. Oh savior? yeah I got a guy for that sin thing. He wanted to know more, about resurrection, and the significance of Jesus not staying dead. He wanted to understand and share Jesus sufferings, even to the point of participating in the suffering. I can admit I’ve never really had a desire to share in Jesus sufferings. I never wanted to share in Jesus death. Let’s clarify. When I was baptized, I understood it was symbolic of me dying to my self and my sinful nature, and identifying with the death of Jesus Christ, and in so doing, I acknlowledged that I was born again of the spirit, and I would also share in his resurrection. I was fine sharing an identity with Jesus, and I wanted to make a statement that I affirm and believe those certain things about Jesus Christ and my need for His salvation. But I don’t think i’ve ever desired to physically share or personally partake in his suffering. I like the idea of service, and studying God’s word, and teaching God’s word. I understand that to grow God’s kingdom I need to die to my concept of self, take off certain sinful patterns and put on Christ, and pick up certain crosses and bear them… should they arise. But I don’t think I ever sought out a chance to participate in Jesus sufferings, or to suffer for His name with the goal of knowing and experience Christ more. Paul wrote in chapter 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Let’s read on:

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Paul admits, he hasn’t obtained all this he desired. He doesn’t currently adequately know Jesus and share his experiences. There are certain things we endure, and they might help us understand and know jesus more. There are other things that we endure and maybe they don’t help our understanding. He hasn’t reached his goal. And that goal isn’t something that is fully in our control. We weren’t given the same lives as Jesus or Paul or Peter. We will never fully know or understand on this side of heaven. But we can do certain things. First we can press on. We can have the attitude of persistence and perseverance. True Perseverance is a gift from God, a form of God’s grace and mercy, which will help us live our lives and grow and mature in our faith. Paul says to press on take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him. We have been saved not by our works, but we have been saved To do the Good works which God predestined for us to do in glorifying Him. We aren’t saved because we do good works, but we are saved and have become free to do good works. Last chapter he said God works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.. To live out that goal to be a light to the world, to be a salt to the world. Christ will be glorified and magnified in our life and our death. Sometimes we get caught up in what we’ve left behind. Paul said forget what’s behind! we get caught up in the sins that we’re freed from, instead of looking forward to the Good things we’re saved for! Paul says he’s pressing on with a goal to win the prize. Heaven. Eternity in the presence of love, light, God the Father. God called him towards heaven IN Christ Jesus, for the goal of sharing this prize, this resurrection, this eternal life, this paradise.

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Paul describes this example of maturity in faith. It’s a forward looking, anticipation towards becoming closer and closer in a deeper relationship with God, and a knowledge of him. Our goal and our prize is heaven. It’s not always easy, to keep the correct priorities when you are bombarded with other things on earth. Paul talks more of this in the next few verses. But It’s tough enough to remember our heavenly destination when we spend so much of our lives reminded of the worries of earth. That’s true today, even when we don’t factor in having to face the persecution that the early Christians faced. Persisting, enduring, persevering, not growing weary, keeping the right motivation on earth. Sometimes we need to strain towards what’s ahead. That’s how Paul envisioned maturity, and he said if they thought differently, he was confident that God would make it clear to them. His point is to live up to what you’ve already attained! He presses on toward a goal to win a prize, but it’s something we’ve already attained! We have attained a gift of forgiveness, been imputed righteousness, been clothed with Christ. God sees the perfection and the complete blamelessness and full obedience of His son when he looks at us. We’ve attained something, not by our effort but by God’s merciful calling. Paul is saying to live up to that which we’ve attained.

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Paul returns to his theme of the letter. Join me! Join together in following my example. Since chapter 1 he’s talked about their partnership in the Gospel. That God will carry on and complete the work he’s begun. He’s prayed that their love abounds, that they gain in knowledge and depth of insight, so that they will have discernment and maturity! He has asked them to join him and conduct their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel. Live up to that standing that they’ve already attained before God! Be like minded, share the spirit of Jesus Christ, a spirit of servanthood, obedience, humility. Keep the examples of Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus as a model, keep your eyes on those who live in that way! Emulate their lives and the fruits of their faith. He changes tone briefly to give a counter example. And this pains him. He says it in tears. Many out there live as enemies of the cross of Christ. We think enemies of Christ and imagine a red demon with a pitchfork and pointy tail. We think of false gods in the old testament or followers of idols and polytheism like the Greek or Roman myths. But listen to his explanation:

19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Their destiny is destruction. Their god is their stomach. Their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. These aren’t necessarily bad people he’s talking about. These people could be friendly and fun companions. But their eyes aren’t heavenward. I think how often I resemble them. Sometimes when I am hungry, or I have a craving for a certain food, my God becomes my stomach! I allow my flesh to create an idol out of something that I want, and that consumes my attention and possesses my drive, my motivation. A creature comfort. It isn’t just food, it can be entertainment, leisure, sleep, caffeine, you name it. Paul also had previously placed confidence in his flesh, in his earthly works, and that’s another way we can actually find that our glory becomes our shame. He says when those earthly things rule our lives, our mind is set on earthly things. Paul affirms his citizenship is heaven. When we see our minds are SET on Earthly things, we need to become aware of them, repent, and ask God to help us to re-SET our minds and our focus on that heavenly citizenship. We need to eagerly await the Savior from Heaven, Obviously the Lord Jesus Christ. What does our savior do? He uses this power that allows him to bring anything and everything under his control and submission and he will transform us, and take our lowly bodies and make them like his heavenly body! None of this looks like anything we are in control of, we can’t brag about any work or any characteristic on our part. This submission and transformation happens literally when our lowly bodies die, we are taken and share a resurrection that Jesus demonstrated. We are promised to be given a resurrection body and share in a glorious state. But it is also happening to us before that last final step. While we are eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus, and his power, we are given a deposit and seal and guarantee. What’s that? The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, known as the Counselor, Comforter, Advocate, Convicter of Sin, who dwells in us and begins to bring us under the control and authority of our lord Jesus Christ; and we get to experience and enjoy this fellowship with God now.. Paul says here we eagerly await the power of Christ to transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious one. Paul wrote in a different letter that We are transformed by the renewing of our minds, and Jesus himself promised that the Spirit would come, not primarily to be a universal translator, although in some instances it did that too, but it’s purpose was teach his disciples all things. The Holy Spirit counsels us, teaches, guides, and in doing so it transforms us.