Meditations from the Book of Philippians part 7 – Week 30 / July 22nd

by admin

The Christian life is built on a dynamic personal relationship with Jesus. Only this type of Christian experience will guarantee personal transformation though it is always easier to think that keeping rules and regulations will do this. Man is by nature a religious creature and is thus always tempted to improve himself by measuring up to a set standard. As Paul says, this may have the outward appearance of godliness but it will in fact do nothing to advance change in our lives. It simply hides our fallen natures behind a veneer of religious activity.

In terms of the Christian experience the Law or Torah was never given by God to Israel or the world as a way of salvation. Not even David or Abraham was saved by it, as Paul points out in the Book of Romans, as they were saved by faith. The Law was given as a “teacher” to convict us of sin and lead us to Christ. (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24) The early Church, birthed in a Jewish context, was constantly infiltrated by those who wanted to introduce and enforce law keeping in the community of faith. (Galatians 2:4-5) Paul fought this battle constantly and this chapter mirrors this struggle.

It must be noted that his strong position and response was required to defend the very nature of the Gospel. Paul was not evidencing an anti-Jewish disposition by doing this as some assert. His was a theological defense aimed at guarding the truth from error. Years later the Gospel was corrupted and distorted by the Church and only the Reformation could restore it. This battle continues today. The issues at stake are very serious and thus Paul’s theology of justification by faith alone is always needed in order to keep the Church’s message pure.

Paul’s Warning (V1-3)
The Christian’s life is to be a joyful one because, no matter what we have done or our circumstances, God has not changed and He has done great things for us. Paul could rejoice even though he was living out his life in a Roman jail! People who corrupt the Gospel are called “dogs”, “evil workers” and “the mutilation.” Strong language for sure but if the Gospel becomes confused and distorted then the way of eternal life is kept from the world and humankind will perish. The “words of eternal life”, as the disciples put it, must be preserved in their purity. This “word” is that salvation only comes to those who exercise belief and faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. When this true Gospel is embraced with faith and repentance the heart is changed or circumcised and real transformation into the likeness of Jesus takes place. Any other message is a counterfeit!

Paul’s Testimony (V4-11)
Paul was a zealous keeper of the Law and on this basis advanced greatly in Judaism. He came from the tribe of Benjamin and was recognized as an example of dedication to the Law but it brought him no peace and assurance of eternal life. He even greatly persecuted the Church and the way of faith and enjoyed the approval of men in this regard. He enjoyed a testimony that he was righteous but deep in his heart he knew that he was trapped in sin and carnality. Then he found Christ and was transformed, filled with indescribable love and overwhelmed by a personal experience of Him. His sins were washed away by the blood of Jesus and he knew the joy of having been forgiven and of having righteousness imputed as a gift to his broken and sinful life.

This remarkable reality changed everything for him and caused him to consider all things rubbish when compared with the glory of knowing Jesus. Now all that he desired was fellowship with Jesus, even if it came to him more fully through suffering. Paul wanted God by Christ to do a complete work in him so that he could experience one day the joy of the resurrection.

Paul’s Journey (V12-14)
Jesus’ finished work on the cross enables God to impute and impart righteousness to the believer. Paul desired with all his heart that God should so work in Him; that day by day he become more like Jesus until he finally merges into perfection by the resurrection. This work of Christ in us is called sanctification and it means seeing ourselves as Christ; perfect in Heaven already. By His indwelling power we make our heavenly position an earthly reality and move closer to the prize of Jesus’ perfection. This is a process and Paul was determined to let it flow through his life without hindrance. We must do the same. We must have a fresh experience of Jesus’ love every day and not live on a past experience.

Paul’s Exhortation (V15-16)
God expects Christians to grow, go forward but never backward. In these final two verses Paul calls on believers to maintain spiritual growth and to make this a “rule”. This “maintaining” is by faith and not by works of any religious kind. Jesus in us is the hope of glory!

Paul’s Example (V17-21)
Paul concedes that many, so called believers, claim a walk of faith but in reality deny it by their actions. Nevertheless, we are to be examples of how to follow Jesus as Paul was and we are to invite others to follow our lifestyles! Only complete confidence in Jesus’ work in us can allow us to make this call and invitation and we should. Many confessing Christians are still ensnared by their wicked desires and are in fact on the road to hell and destruction. We should take this warning seriously and determine to be the real thing since it is all by grace freely given in Jesus. Citizens of heaven must look like it even though they are passing through a strange and sinful world. One day Jesus will come and save our bodies by the resurrection and we shall marvel at such glorious bodies that are at last in harmony with sinless hearts. What a day that will be!

Malcolm Hedding

©Malcolm Hedding Ministries

2012Devotional