Philippians chapter 3 contains one of the most heartfelt autobiographical accounts written by the Apostle Paul. It tells of his own spiritual journey and what he came to realise was of far greater importance than anything else. The passage was written to the church at Philippi, the majority of whom were probably Roman converts to Christianity. But it is also instructive for us in determining our priorities and how we should live our lives today.

In just a few verses, Paul uses very colourful language to eloquently make the case for what he’d learnt and wanted his audience to understand too. Let’s consider four important points:

1) We are to watch out for legalism which Paul, in the context of this chapter, is referring to keeping the law to make a person right with God. For example, there were those who said you must be circumcised to be saved. Paul goes on to explain that true circumcision is not a physical act as under the law of Moses, but ‘…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…’ (v.3). Romans 2:29 also emphasises that ‘…circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code…’

2) We are to count everything we achieve of ourselves as loss or rubbish compared with knowing Jesus. In Philippians 3:4-6, Paul sets out his exceptional credentials in Judaism, but then devastatingly reports he’s learned that they are nothing compared to, ‘…the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…’ (vv.7-8). What Paul could achieve himself by his own righteousness through endeavouring to obey the law of Moses was never enough. Instead, he needed the righteousness of God that comes through faith in Christ (v.9).

3) We are to get to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection (v.10). The depth of relationship Paul is talking about is one that understands the power of God that brought Jesus back from the dead and inaugurated eternal life for all who live by faith in him. But he goes on to say it also means knowing Jesus so intimately that we share in Christ’s sufferings to the point of becoming like him in his death. We are saved through his death: we died with him, and we are raised with him. We are to know Jesus to the point we can personally identify with those events, and through that we may attain ‘…the resurrection from the dead’ (v.11).

4) We are to forget what is behind and press on toward the goal in Christ Jesus (vv.12-14). Paul makes clear that although Christ has already done everything necessary to make us his own (v.12), we still have a part to play in running the race of the Christian life, led by the Holy Spirit. Although Christ holds us safe in his loving arms, we are not to stand still but to keep moving forward ‘…toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’(v.14). These priorities will safeguard our standing as Christians.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion Peterborough
Farcet Village Hall                                                    
Main Street
Farcet
Peterborough
PE7 3AN

Meeting time:
Sunday 11.00 am

Local congregational contact:
Richard Dempsey
Email:  richard.dempsey@btinternet.com
Local church website: GRACE COMMUNION CHURCH PETERBOROUGH – Landing Page

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church