TEXT: Philippians 3:12-17 (CSB) – “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. Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.”
Paul is writing an epistle of practicality. Not “seated in the heavenlies” as in Ephesians. Not a great theological exposition as in Romans. But “Rubber hits the Road” Christianity for us to follow.
Remember, he is writing to the Saints in Christ at Philippi. This is a message of Joy and Hope in the midst of adverse circumstances.
So far in this letter, we have viewed the philosophy on our purpose in life – “To Live Christ.” We have viewed the pattern for living – “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” We are now viewing the prize of living as Paul summarizes its meaning in his life. Now, we are being urged by Paul to PRESS to the mark – the prize. But to get there, he leads us down a couple of sideroads.
Today, we will travel down Sideroad #1 as Paul will urge us to “Mark and Walk.”
Consider Verse 17 above, “Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.”
Paul says – “Watch me” – imitate me. Uh-oh, is the old self-confident, boastful Saul resurfacing here? Was pride starting to come to the surface? He had just given his pedigree, called it manure, and spoke of putting that all away for something better – Jesus Christ.
No, as Paul is writing in practicalities, he was aware that he was walking so close to the Savior – that he could humbly and honestly say, “If you walk like me, you will be walking like Jesus.”
He also encouraged being in the local church – IN this verse he stated, “pay careful attention to those who live according to the example….” God’s desire is for those who are called by His Son’s name to be in a church. Not being an active part of one makes you out of God’s Will. If you are not supporting His local church, you are out of His will.
Today, muse over the old saying – “If every Christian was just like me, what would the witness the world would see?”
Tomorrow, we will take Sideroad #2 - Mark the Negative Example.
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