Goal of Life

Rejoice in the Lord

A Christians joy is rooted in their relationship with Jesus. It is not rooted in circumstances. I would contend that in the midst of dire circumstances a follower of Christ can still have exceeding joy.

Christ is in authority over all things. Being his child enables us to put our faith in whatever comes our way Jesus allowed it and it is going to work out for our good. Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 NASB95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

This is not to say we will not be or get sad, but what I am saying is that we always have hope in Jesus. It is this hope that perpetuates our joy.

Our salvation is secure in Christ. No one can take it from us. The worst this world can do is take our life. The moment it does we are ushered into the presence of Christ. Acts 7:58-60

Acts 7:58–60 NASB95

When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

Beware of False Teachers

Paul was writing about the Judaizers. These were false teachers that were teaching that salvation is found in being a descendant of Abraham, attending the religious festivals, and keeping the law of Moses. These teachers were teaching that you could earn your salvation by yourself. They discounted the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They nullified His sacrifice. This is why Paul calls them dogs, false circumcision, and evil workers.

There are many false teachers today. They may not teach the same thing as the Judaizers, but they will teach a different gospel. Prosperity gospel is a false gospel. The far right gospel (moral gospel) is a false gospel. The prayer and baptism gospel is a false gospel. The left gospel is a false gospel (God loves and accepts everyone the way they are) The true gospel is faith alone in Christ alone.

Faith not Flesh

Paul had reason to boast about his Judaism. Philippians 3:5-6

Philippians 3:5–6 NASB95

circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

Paul had the sign of circumcision and was circumcised on the day every true Israelite should be circumcised. He was a descendant of Abraham. He was from the tribe of Benjamin. This was the Davidic Dynasty tribe. Both of his parents were Hebrew and he spoke the Hebrew dialect. He was a Pharisee. This meant he studied the law of Moses. Zeal was the most virtuous quality a Jew could have. He even persecuted the first century church. In essence he was the perfect Judiazer.

He counted all of his religious qualifications junk in comparison to knowing Jesus. This is because his religious qualifications meant nothing.

No matter what religious qualifications we have, they are of no merit in the matter of salvation. Not only are they of no merit in salvation they pale in comparison to knowing Jesus.

Our relationship with Jesus should mean everything to us. What we do for Christ should be rooted in our love for Christ. Paul loved Christ so much that he considered his qualifications rubbish. Instead he desired faith in Jesus that brings about a pure and holy righteousness.

Our relationship with Jesus should be our desire. We should want to grow in Christ and experience Him daily.

Knowledge of Christ

Philippians 3:10–11 NASB95

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul wanted to know the power of his resurrection, fellowship of His suffering, and attain the resurrection of the dead.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

Christ’s resurrection most graphically demonstrated the extent of His power. By raising Himself from the dead, Christ displayed His power over both the physical and spiritual worlds. fellowship of His sufferings. This refers to a partnership—a deep communion of suffering that every believer shares with Christ, who is able to comfort suffering Christians because He has already experienced the same suffering, and infinitely more (Heb 2:18; 4:15; 12:2–4; cf. 2Co 5:21; 1Pe 2:21–24). conformed to His death. As Christ died for the purpose of redeeming sinners, so Paul had that same purpose in a lesser sense; he lived and would willingly die to reach sinners with the gospel. His life and death, though not redemptive, were for the same purpose as his Lord’s.

3:11 in order that. Reflecting his humility, he didn’t care how God brought it to pass, but longed for death and for the fulfillment of his salvation in his resurrection body (cf. Ro 8:23). the resurrection from the dead. Lit. “the resurrection out from the corpses.” This is a reference to the resurrection which accompanies the rapture of the church (1Th 4:13–17 ; cf. 1Co 15:42–44).

Paul wanted to experience Jesus in the power of his resurrection. This meant that he would experience Him in his authority over the physical and spiritual issues in life.

He wanted to experience Christ power in helping him endure the sufferings of life. Jesus could do this because He suffered in this life.

Paul knew that in Christ he would be resurrected to everlasting life.