Morning Musing: Philippians 3:12-14

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“Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

We like for things to be simple and direct. Okay, that’s not entirely true. We often complicate things endlessly, but still, when things can be either this or that, black or white, we’re happier. That’s especially true when it comes to the Scriptures and key theological concepts. We are drawn to the idea, for instance that salvation is all God from start to finish. Or, we are drawn to the idea that we play a role. What we actually find, though, is something a bit messier than that. While there are definitely places where Paul emphasizes the entirely divine nature of salvation, there are also passages like this one. Let’s check it out.

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Digging in Deeper: Philippians 3:10-11

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“My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

What is it that matters most in the end? We can offer up all sorts of different answers to that question. Various folks have pointed to money or possessions in one way or another. Most people, though, generally have a sense that isn’t the right answer. We could also point to things like relationships, good works, or renown. Here, as Paul is talking about what matters most to him, he points to something we don’t think about—even as followers of Jesus—but which should fall a whole lot more centrally on our radar. Let’s take a look at what he has to say.

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It Was Always on Purpose

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The idea of something being the beginning of the end seems odd. Endings should just be endings, not beginnings. And yet, the sequence of things that lead to that end have to begin somewhere. The final beginning of Jesus’ end in this life started with dinner. It unfolded from there into a series of events that looked from the outside-in like they were all spiraling out of control, making Jesus a helpless victim of His circumstances. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Nothing Jesus did ever happened by accident. The things that happened to Him weren’t an accident either. As we continue our journey through Luke’s Story of Sacrifice this week, we are talking about just how in command Jesus really was. Let’s dive right in.

It Was Always on Purpose

In the late 1500s, an English Protestant preacher and scholar named John Foxe wrote a book that quickly became an enduring spiritual and devotional classic. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs sought to tell the stories of believers who had been persecuted for their faith, many of whom paid the ultimate price in that persecution. His goal was to encourage other believers with these powerful stories to perform great acts of faith and faithfulness in their own lives. These kinds of stories are indeed powerful. They are inspiring. Hearing gripping stories about incredible acts of devotion has a way of motivating copycats in the best possible sense. It can encourage those who are facing similar troubles in their own lives. It can grow the church in remarkable ways. As the early church father, Tertullian, once wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” 

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 8:1-2

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“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I finally broke down and did it. I waited as long as I could. I really could have done it at any time, but I just didn’t want to at first. But then everybody was doing it. Just about literally everybody. And everybody was talking about it. And it was a cultural phenomenon. And I finally just had to see for myself. So I did it. It wasn’t very long. And it was better than I expected. It really was as good as most everybody had said. And there were just so many Gospel touchpoints. It wasn’t perfect by any stretch on that mark, but it touched on some truths that are really important to understand. If only it offered real solutions. Wondering what I’m talking about? I finally watched the international smash hit, KPop Demon Hunters. Let’s talk about it.

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Digging in Deeper: Philippians 3:7-9

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“But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

What are you most proud of in this life? What is the thing you point to that you think gives your life meaning and value? How did you come by that thing? Was it given to you? Did you labor hard to achieve it? Did it come by a path of suffering? What would your life look like if you didn’t have it anymore? In the last section, Paul laid out his resume for the Philippian believers and it was a pretty impressive resume indeed. In these next few verses, starting with these two, he reflects on it all and points to what matters most to him. Let’s check it out.

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