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Philippians 3:17 – 4:7
by
Chris Herd
INTRODUCTION
What a great topic to dwell upon, the one of our
citizenship in heaven. It takes your mind away from this world to a realm of a
spiritual dimension. While here on earth we encounter many changes and for some
people it will be the one of becoming a Christian. Have you ever started a new
job? When everything seems so new to you? Things that others, old employees,
take so much for granted, you see as a nightmare? It’s a bit like that for us
all as we change our focus from living for the world and living for God. We
must give thanks to God for the Bible as it is a beautiful book, in as much as
God has a complete understanding of our needs. If you are a Christian and it’s
your first day on the job that’s okay, God understands and He makes provision
for us to learn and get closer to Him. He understands 100% that we are humans
and we need all the help we can get. In fact He says to us, now you are my
people, here’s what I want you to do, Step 1 -- step 2 -- step 3. This can be
related to by all Christians who can testify to the guiding hand of God right
from the beginning. The same as He tells us how to first begin, if you
believe…then…Acts 2:38. God as the great instructor and mentor to His people
makes sure we understand how to continue once we have begun to walk down that
road to heaven. The focus I would like to address is walking to heaven. Are
you on that journey? Do you have questions about how to walk there? Let me
tell you that you are not alone, the Philippian brethren also needed some
direction. Our God through the apostle Paul laid out some examples and pointers
for them and us to follow. An example of walking is given (3: 17); The example
of how not to walk is given (3: 18-19); A place to walk to is given (3: 20-21);
An example of love toward fellow walkers (4: 1-3); A focus for our attitude of
walking (4: 4-7).
AN EXAMPLE OF WALKING IS GIVEN (Living day to day,
conduct). Paul encourages his brethren by stating, “Brethren, join in following
my example” Philippians 3.17a. The encouragement to be imitators of Paul the
apostle. This is also encouraged by Paul in I Corinthians 4:16. When Paul
encouraged his brethren to be this way, he was not being egotistical. By saying
follow my example, the opposite to egotistical is understood, as there is a
qualifying factor as to how much we follow others laid out in the Bible. The
apostle knew this: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1), in the
case of following examples, Christ is the standard. As for us in the church
today, it is great to have “CHRIST-LIKE” examples to look up to and follow.
Every single one of us must see that it is so important that we all seek to be
good examples. Paul gave something special to the Christians who may have
wondered, how do we walk? He gave them a living example to follow, to shape
their lives “Christ likeness”. We read in Philippians 3:17b, “note those who so
walk, as you have us as an example”, the word, note expressed in the Greek as
skopeo, means to mark, observe and give close attention to. What was to be
so treated, what was to be marked and observed? It was the example Paul set and
the examples of others that so walk as Paul did. The word “EXAMPLE” is in the
Greek tupos, I Thessalonians 1:7, meaning a pattern or a model. The
model, pattern in this case, the apostle and his associates, “imitators of
Christ Jesus”.
AN EXAMPLE OF HOW NOT TO WALK IS GIVEN
In Philippians 3:18, Paul is quick to warn that there are
some examples we are not to follow, the one of the “False teachers”. This tells
us that it is important what we believe, and that some preach a wrong way. If
it did not matter as to how we walk, why are so many warnings given to avoid
false teachers? Even though they were “false”, we cannot but notice Paul’s
attitude, one of “WEEPING”. We can liken this to his attitude in Acts 20:31. He
showed care for souls, for those in the truth and for the ones who are in
Satan’s camp. Paul warned and he wept, he showed care but not compromise the
truth. In essence he loved the sinner but hated the sin (we must abhor sin but
caring attitude to the sinner). We must never follow the example “ENEMIES OF THE
CROSS OF CHRIST”, as the very nature of an enemy is they teach and walk
differently to Christ and the end is “DESTRUCTION”. These poor misguided souls
have the problem of their god being their belly because they serve their own
lust and not Christ “TO LIVE IS SELF”. Their glory is their shame, the things
they pride themselves in are ungodly “SHAME” They profess to be godly, but
remember the description in II Corinthians 11: 13-15, II Thessalonians 1: 8-9:
These are those who set their mind on earthly things, Romans 8:5 “sensual
pursuits”, professing to be Christian, they walk opposite to the Christian way
and need to be avoided and definitely not imitated by the Christian.
A PLACE TO WALK IS GIVEN
“For our citizenship is in heaven from which we also
eagerly wait for the savior the Lord Jesus Christ” V. 3: 20. Heaven to the
Christian is our goal and our gift. Let me ask you at this point, are you
“EAGERLY” waiting for Jesus Christ? Are you “SEEKING HEAVEN”? Unlike those who
walk seeking earthly things we are directed to heaven, Colossians 3:1-3. The
Christian has a focus to “Seek first the kingdom”, Matthew 6:33. A spiritual
person will understand that this attitude is essential to truly experience the
blessings of God. The seeking first of the kingdom is not a sporadic on off
type of action, it is more to the point of a “CONTINUAL FOCUS”. We are as the
Philippian brethren were, “Citizens of heaven”. Temporarily it is here in a
foreign country “earth”, Hebrews 11: 13-16, John 14: 1-4. We must never grow
tired of looking for the Second Coming of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. At
this awaited point we know from the Bible that we will be “CHANGED”, I
Corinthians 15:44-53, I Thessalonians 4:13-18. Yes we will be clothed in apparel
suitable for residence in the heavenly city. Although the Christians were
citizens of Rome, their true citizenship belonged to another King, Jesus Christ,
in another country, heaven. This focus of looking to heaven is for those who:
1)
Know that they live for Christ Philippians 1:2
2)
In order to place citizenship in heaven, have died to Christ Galatians
2:20.
3)
“Died to Christ” in baptism “if we are not baptized, we are not living in
or for Christ”.
4)
Once the Christians are baptized we are “now Christ centered and not self
centered”. The true hearted servant of our Lord should remember that, as Christ
lives in the Christian, our focus should always be is to see Him as He is, I
John 3: 2.
AN EXAMPLE OF LOVE TOWARD FELLOW WALKERS
Paul starts this verse with “Therefore” 4:1. Here the
apostle Paul refers to the future glories to be an inspiring force. In other
words, because we have such a blessing to look forward to let us stand fast in
the Lord. Notice the attitude of the man of God, “my beloved and longed for
brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord” 4:1. There is a similar
address in I Thessalonians 2:19-20. He called the brethren “longed for” and
there is a good reason why. This term impresses in our minds the deep sense of
loss Paul felt of being away from his brethren. The lesson we learn is that love
should be evident among Christians. The apostle was grieved for being separated
from the brethren “imprisoned in bonds” unable to see them or to travel around
and meet with them. The emotions he felt, Paul called his joy and crown
“TENDERNESS”.
The Christians at Phillipi, his fellow brethren in
Christ, gave him a great sense of joy. In fact he looked toward the time their
faith could be his crown. This is almost like the “MENTOR” or “TEACHER” seeing
those who he helped finally reaching the desired end. What a joy to know that we
might have some influence or help in our brethren making it to heaven. The
appeal to “Stand fast in the Lord” is given to the Christians. The Lord is the
element that standing fast required. We too must realize that we need to stay
close to Christ Jesus and those about us who serve Him in sincerity and in
truth. Paul then changes the tone somewhat to encourage unity among the
brethren. He says, “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same
mind in the Lord”. These two women mentioned only here appear to have been at
difference and disturbed the peace and harmony of church in Phillipi. It is sad
to see that some Christians show selfishness and disregard for God when they
disturb unity only seeking their own gain and gratify self “LET US SEEK PEACE”.
Philippians 4:3 The attitude towards those who were his “FELLOW WORKERS”. What
we must realize is that we are fellow workers. As Christians our names are in
the book of life Revelation 3:5. The book of life contains names of those
baptized and faithful followers of Christ. Let us love, the word, pursue peace
and encourage one another also.
A FOCUS OF OUR ATTITUDE TO WALKING
The much quoted verse of Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the
Lord always and again I say rejoice”. We quote it, we sing it and we love it.
Understand that when we surrender self and lose ourselves to God, the fountains
of joy are opened up wide. Those who look to God in faithful obedience and “live
in Christ” can then:
1)
Enjoy times even if surrounded by enemies…troubles…trials.
2)
Overcome unrest with true assurance of salvation.
3)
“Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice”
Philippians 4:4: Christians can! We should have joy in
Christ, the joy of salvation, the joy of forgiveness and the joy of Gods
presence. “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand”
4:5. Gentleness is not referring to the gentle treatment of a kitten, or the
gentleness of a mother hen with her chicks, though this is important. Rather
this word is better understood as having a forbearing spirit, just like Christ.
Encouragement for those times we feel pressing personal needs – problems. We
fail to have a forbearing spirit if we become alarmed or embittered amidst the
trials of life. We should seek to remain calm and controlled in diverse
circumstances, it’s a part of knowing that God is in control. The next part of
the verse encourages the brethren that “The Lord is at hand”. We are blessed
with a near God, not a far God. The next verse expands upon this thought in
Philippians 4: 6-7. That other much quoted verse of “be anxious for NOTHING”.
Anxiety is a joy killer and it is a Christian killer also. To be anxious shows a
dependence upon self. Christians should not seek independence but more favorable
for salvation is “God dependence” Romans 8:28. To what limit can we give things
to God? The answer, “but in EVERYTHING” in prayer and supplication”. Prayer is
communication and supplication is earnest pleading to an ever present God who
cares for your soul, I Peter 5:7. There is absolutely nothing that we cannot lay
at God’s feet. And after laying our burdens down, we can have complete faith in
His ability to help us. And finally the ultimate encouragement is the peace of
God. This peace which surpasses or exceeds our understanding should bring us
joy. To have the peace of God means the peace inside of knowing that we are
right with God. The sense of spiritual peace found only in, through and by
Christ Jesus. If you are not a Christian then the encouragement is to seek
spiritual rest and peace with God. As the peace of God can only be found in
Christ. Are you in Christ (Galatians 3:27)?
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