To Know Christ

Read Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Pray

-The Book of Philippians is one of Paul’s "Prison Epistles," written while he was imprisoned in Rome, likely around AD 61-63. Paul wrote this letter to the Christian community in Philippi, a city in Macedonia (modern-day Greece), which he had established during his second missionary journey (Acts 16).

Who can Boast Section:

Read Philippians 3:1-6

Here Paul addresses the issue of religious confidence and the dangers of relying on external religious practices for righteousness. The passage serves as both a personal testimony and a warning against placing trust in one's heritage, accomplishments, or outward conformity to the law.

-Paul begins by urging the Philippians to "rejoice in the Lord" (v.1), highlighting that true joy is found not in legalistic rituals or self-sufficiency but in Christ alone. Rejoicing in the Lord, for Paul, is the constant recognition that salvation is a gift of grace, not something that can be earned through human effort.

-In verses 2-3, Paul warns the Philippians about "dogs," "evil workers," and those who "mutilate the flesh,".

-This can be confusing but Paul is referring to Judaizers who were insisting that Gentile Christians must be circumcised to be truly saved. The term "mutilate the flesh" is a harsh condemnation of the ritual of circumcision when it is divorced from its true spiritual significance. For Paul, those who relied on circumcision as a marker of righteousness were missing the point of the gospel.

This really got me think how Christians today can be barriers to unbelievers:

-Just like the pressure to follow the law in Paul's day, churches can sometimes make non-believers feel that they need to follow certain rituals or "rules" before they can fully come to Christ.

-This might include expectations of certain behaviors, dress codes, or cultural norms that are not central to the gospel message. When someone feels that they must change their lifestyle first before accepting Jesus, they are often discouraged from even taking the first step.

-There can be an overemphasis on personal achievement or self-sufficiency, where people are told that they need to clean up their lives, do good deeds, or show some level of moral excellence before coming to Jesus. This puts confidence in “the flesh” rather than in the grace of Jesus Christ. This is nonsense. YOU MUST COME TO JESUS JUST AS YOU ARE, dirty and all and allow Him to refine, purify, and renew you.

- It’s easy to forget that salvation isn’t about what we do but about what Christ has already done for us.

-True believers, Paul argues, are those who "worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh" (v. 3). To boast in Christ is to acknowledge that all spiritual accomplishments and righteousness are found in Him alone, not in any human effort or religious rite.

-Paul then lists his own impressive credentials in verses 4-6, demonstrating that if anyone had grounds to boast in the flesh, it was he. He was circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, and zealous in his persecution of the church. These credentials were considered the pinnacle of Jewish religious achievement.

-Yet, Paul counts all of these achievements as "loss" for the sake of knowing Christ. He redefines righteousness by faith in Christ, not by works of the law. In verse 6, Paul speaks of his former zeal for the law, which led him to persecute the church. He now realizes that his former confidence in his heritage and achievements was not only meaningless but a barrier to true faith in Christ.

-For us today, Paul's message is a powerful reminder of the futility of relying on external markers of spirituality—be it religious practices, denominational identity, or personal achievements—as the basis for our standing before God.

-It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our actions, church attendance, or even our heritage can somehow make us righteous before God. Paul’s words challenge us to shift our focus away from what we can do for God, and instead to rest in what Christ has already done for us. True righteousness is found in being united with Christ through faith, not in the accumulation of good deeds or adherence to religious rules.

-In practical terms, this means that Christ followers today must evaluate their own sources of security and identity. Do we find comfort in our religious heritage, our good works, or our moral achievements? Or do we boast in Christ alone, recognizing that our salvation is a gift, not a reward for good behavior?

-This passage calls believers to humility, to let go of any self-sufficiency, and to acknowledge that our only hope of righteousness is through the grace of God in Christ.

-It also invites us to examine our priorities: are we more focused on our own achievements or on the intimate, transformative knowledge of Christ? In this way, Paul’s words are as relevant today as they were in the first century, urging us to place our full confidence in Christ rather than in anything else.

Everything Is Loss Section:

Read Philippians 3:7-11

-Paul continues to expand on his personal journey of faith and the radical shift in perspective that occurs when one encounters the true gospel. After recounting his impressive religious credentials in the previous verses, Paul declares, "But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ" (v. 7).

-Here, Paul uses financial language—what was once a profit (his heritage, status, and religious achievements) is now seen as a loss in comparison to the surpassing value of knowing Christ.

-His previous confidence in the flesh, in religious observance and personal achievement, now appears to him as worthless, even detrimental, when weighed against the incomparable worth of a relationship with Christ. This is not simply a change in Paul's religious practices; it is a complete reorientation of his entire worldview.

-For Paul, this shift in perspective is not theoretical or abstract. It is deeply personal and experiential. In verse 8, Paul writes that he considers everything—his status, his heritage, his accomplishments—as "dung” (the term here is deliberately strong, implying waste) in light of the "surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

-The phrase "knowing Christ" encompasses far more than intellectual knowledge; it signifies an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus—one that is life-altering.

-To Paul, Christ is not just a figure of historical importance but the source of his new identity, his purpose, and his ultimate hope. The loss of everything else is not something Paul regrets, because he gains something far greater: Christ Himself.

-In verse 9, Paul contrasts the righteousness that comes from the law, which is based on works and self-effort, with the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. This righteousness, Paul explains, is a gift from God that is received by faith, not earned by adherence to the law.

- For Paul, this is the heart of the gospel message: salvation is not achieved through human effort or religious observance, but through faith in the work of Christ—His life, death, and resurrection.

-This is not a superficial or transactional faith, but a deep, transformative trust in the person and work of Jesus, which radically alters every aspect of the believer's life. Paul’s righteousness is not based on what he has done or can do, but on the finished work of Christ.

-In verses 10-11, Paul expresses his earnest desire to "know Christ and the power of His resurrection" and to share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, in order to attain the resurrection from the dead. These verses highlight Paul's commitment to a life that is fully aligned with Christ, even in suffering and death. For Paul, the Christian life is not about seeking comfort or avoiding hardship, but about identifying with Christ in every way—both in His suffering and His glory.

-The resurrection is not only a future hope, but also a present reality that shapes how Paul lives. His ultimate goal is to be conformed to Christ's image, and this involves not just receiving the benefits of salvation but participating in the life and mission of Jesus in all its fullness.

-These verses should lead us to evaluate what we truly value and where we place our trust. Like Paul, we must be willing to let go of anything that competes with the surpassing value of knowing Christ.

-This passage calls for a reorientation of priorities: we are to embrace the reality that Christ is the ultimate gain, and everything else is secondary. The joy and satisfaction found in a relationship with Christ should far surpass any earthly achievement or comfort.

-The call to "know Christ" in this passage challenges us to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Him. This is not merely about intellectual agreement with the gospel but a daily, lived experience of communion with Jesus.

-This might involve sharing in His sufferings—walking through difficult circumstances, even facing persecution, in the name of Christ—and understanding that suffering for the sake of Christ brings us closer to Him and makes us more like Him.

-Paul’s words remind us that our ultimate goal as Christians is not success in this world, but conformity to Christ, both in His death and in the power of His resurrection. The hope of eternal life with Him is what motivates and sustains us, even in the face of trials, knowing that one day we will share in the fullness of His glory.

Reaching Forward Section:

Read Philippians 3:12-15.

-Paul continues his exhortation to the believers, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the Christian life as a pursuit of Christlikeness, and a continual pressing forward toward the ultimate goal of the resurrection. He begins with a humble acknowledgment in verse 12: "Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect."

-Despite his extraordinary spiritual achievements and deep understanding of Christ, Paul admits that he has not yet attained complete Christlikeness or perfection.

-This admission highlights two important truths: first, that spiritual maturity is a lifelong process, and second, that no one, no matter how mature in the faith, can claim to have fully arrived at the goal of being completely conformed to Christ’s image in this life.

-Paul’s posture, then, is one of active pursuit. He says, "But I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus" (v. 12). The "it" that Paul refers to is the fullness of Christlikeness and the ultimate prize of eternal life.

-Paul is not passive or complacent about his spiritual journey. Even though he has been "taken hold of" by Christ—saved, redeemed, and called by God—he is not content with simply resting on the fact of his salvation.

-Instead, he presses forward with every effort, driven by the reality that Christ has already claimed him, and that the prize he seeks is not just heaven, but a deeper relationship with Christ and a greater conformity to His will.

-In verse 13, Paul uses the imagery of a race to describe the Christian life. He says, "But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead."

-This involves two key aspects: forgetting the past and reaching forward to the future. To "forget what is behind" does not mean that Paul literally erases his past from memory, but rather that he refuses to let past achievements, failures, or regrets hinder his progress.

-Paul has already counted everything—both his former achievements (his credentials, his former life) and his former sins—as loss for the sake of Christ (3:7-8).

-For the Christian, this means that while the past is important, it does not define or limit our present or future. We are not to live in guilt over past sins, nor are we to rest in past spiritual victories or self-righteousness. The goal is always ahead, toward the fullness of Christ.

-This may mean letting go of past sins, regrets, or failures, but also past achievements and accolades that may tempt us to rest on our achievements.

-For many Christians, the temptation is not only to dwell in past mistakes but also to rely on past spiritual experiences or victories as if they were sufficient. But the Christian life is a forward-moving life, marked by continual renewal and pursuit of the “prize” that is found in Christ alone.

-Vs 14. Talks about a heavenly call….The "heavenly call" points to the idea that the believer’s identity and ultimate purpose are rooted in their relationship with God, and the goal is not merely survival or avoiding sin, but a dynamic and growing life in Christ.

-Paul calls all believers to the mindset of active pursuit. Spiritual maturity is not marked by passivity or resignation but by a vigorous and intentional pursuit of the high calling in Christ Jesus. This pursuit involves both forgetting what is behind and reaching for what lies ahead, keeping our eyes fixed on the ultimate prize of knowing Christ and becoming like Him.

- today we are all called to a dynamic and ongoing journey of faith, not as a race to be won by human effort, but as a response to the grace of God that has already claimed us in Christ.

Citizenship Section:

Read Philippians 3:16-21.

-Paul continues his message of spiritual perseverance and transformation, offering both encouragement and a sobering warning to the believers. After urging the Philippians to press on toward the goal of Christlikeness, he acknowledges in verse 16 that spiritual maturity is a journey, and each believer is at a different stage in that process.

-He writes, "In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained" (v. 16). This is a call to faithful obedience to the truth we have already received. Spiritual growth is not about knowing everything or having it all figured out; rather, it is about faithfully living in the light of the truth that God has already revealed to us.

-Paul is encouraging believers to remain faithful to the revelation they have, while also recognizing that there is always more to grow into in their relationship with Christ. The goal is to live out the truth we have with integrity and consistency, while continuing to pursue further growth.

-In verses 17-18, Paul urges the Philippians to follow his example, as he is following Christ’s example. He says, "Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us" (v. 17). For Paul, the Christian life is not just about personal effort but also about community and mutual encouragement.

-He calls the Philippians to model their lives after those who are walking faithfully in the way of Christ. By pointing to himself as an example, Paul demonstrates the importance of living in a way that others can follow—his life is an expression of the transformation that comes from the gospel.

-However, he also warns that not everyone who claims to be a follower of Christ is living faithfully, as evidenced in verse 18, where he describes many people as "enemies of the cross of Christ." These individuals are marked by lives that are focused on earthly things and not on the eternal values of the kingdom of God. Their priorities are shaped by the values of the world rather than the cross of Christ.

Philippians 3:18 “For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”

-A small detail in vs 18 but something that really stuck out to me. Paul was grieved with tears in his eyes about those who were enemies of the cross of Christ (the lost) Paul is truly grieving here. When is the last time you were truly grieved by those who are lost and dont know the Lord?

-The description of these "enemies" in verses 19-20 serves as a stark contrast to the life Paul encourages the Philippians to pursue. Paul states that "their end is destruction" and that "their god is their stomach" (v. 19).

-This is a powerful condemnation of those whose lives are dominated by self-indulgence, sensuality, and earthly desires. The phrase "their god is their stomach" symbolizes the pursuit of pleasure and material satisfaction as the ultimate goal in life, rather than the pursuit of Christ.

- These individuals live with an outlook focused solely on the present, with little to no regard for the eternal realities of God's kingdom. Paul contrasts this with the mindset of the true believer, whose "citizenship is in heaven" (v. 20). For the Christian, the primary allegiance is not to this world, but to the heavenly kingdom, and their values, priorities, and pursuits should reflect that.

-In verse 21, Paul gives a beautiful and hopeful promise: "He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself." This verse points to the future hope of the resurrection, where believers will experience a complete and final transformation.

-The Christian’s future is one of glorification, where the imperfections and limitations of this earthly life will be replaced with a glorious new body, free from sin and decay. This transformation is not by human effort but by the power of Christ, who has the authority and power to make all things new.

- This ultimate transformation into Christ’s likeness serves as the motivation for Christians to live faithfully in the present, knowing that our hope is not in this world, but in the eternal promise of Christ’s return and our complete redemption.

-For Christians today we are encouraged to look to examples of faithful believers who are living out the gospel. Spiritual growth often happens within the context of community, and we need others to challenge, encourage, and model for us what it looks like to follow Christ. At the same time, we are warned to be discerning, as not everyone who claims the name of Christ is living in a way that reflects the values of the cross.

-The world will constantly try to pull us away from Christ, offering counterfeit pleasures and priorities that focus on self-indulgence and material gain. As Paul warns, we must not let earthly things become our god, nor should we allow our values to be shaped by the world’s fleeting desires.

-Finally, this passage calls us to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal hope of Christ’s return and the transformation that awaits us. When we live with an eternal perspective, it reorients our priorities and actions in the present.

-The promise of a glorious future in Christ gives us the strength and motivation to persevere through challenges and to live in a way that reflects our heavenly citizenship. We are reminded that our ultimate transformation will come from Christ, and that the struggles and suffering of this life are temporary in light of the eternal joy and glory that awaits us.