KBM Hold True To What We Have Attained
Notes
Transcript
I hope everyone is having a great day and looking forward to our study on the continued theme of “Impact 3:16.” Having looked at Ephesians 3:16 last week we turn our attention to Philippians 3:16. The church at Philippi had a special place in Paul’s heart due to their working with him from the very beginning (Philippians 1:3-6). In chapter three Paul begins by once again reminding them to “rejoice in the Lord” a recurring theme throughout this great letter. He then warns them about the Judaizing teachers.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
Dogs in the ancient east were a symbol of that which was detestable and dirty. They prowled the streets as scavengers. Paul is clear here, in what he thinks of the Jews who had obeyed the gospel but were now requiring the Old Law still. Hence why he calls them “evil workers” i.e., workers of the Law of Moses and mutilations or ones who unjustly require circumcision.
Paul then points out that if “confidence in the flesh” were endorsements for righteousness as a Jew he would be considered one of the best. But “these I have counted as loss for Christ” for the opportunity to “know Christ” (Philippians 3:7-10). Paul clarifies that he is not “already perfected” but is pressing on toward the goal of being with God in perfection (Philippians 3:12-14). That brings us to our text so let’s read Philippians 3:15-16.
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
How do we “hold true to what we have attained?” By first “not losing sight of the race we have already run in righteousness” and secondly by being aware of that which God will reveal i.e., the places we are still immature so that we may correct and become more mature in our run to perfect righteousness. We press on towards the goal of heaven by leaning on the wisdom we have gained in the race of righteousness and learning from the moments of spiritual immaturity we have along the way. We will end this study by reading Philippians 3:20-21.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.