Philippians 3

Hello again brothers and sisters,

The Chapter Memory Study continues today in Philippians 3. The Memory Passage is a long one, but I just couldn't figure out a great place to stop.

Philippians 3:7-11,12 (ESV)
⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

The outline themes are 'I count as loss' and 'I press on'.

After a typically Pauline greeting and encouragement to rejoice, Paul reminds his readers of the dangers of adding anything to salvation by grace through faith in Christ. The Judaizers were pressing hard to add the Hebrew right of circumcision as a necessary step for Gentiles to be truly saved. Paul calls them 'those who mutilate the flesh' (2). He then turns the tables on them with an unexpected argument; I of all people could put confidence in the flesh because of my heritage and my actions prior to knowing Christ.

Next comes one of the most concise and essential passages for anyone who truly wishes to follow Christ. The theme of Luke 9:23 is expanded in great detail. 'Whatever I had, have, or will have, I count as loss, or garbage, because it's better to know Christ. And being found in Him gives me the true righteousness from God that depends on faith in Christ. I must share with Him in His sufferings, but I know He promises that the power of His Spirit that raised Him from the dead will sustain me as I strive to attain ultimate resurrection when He returns."

Verse 12 transitions into the next thematic section; I press on. After about 30 years of following Christ, Paul still has this encouragement for himself and his readers; keep pressing on! 'I have not made it yet, but I press on for that ultimate prize; being with Christ forever'.

Verses 15-17 outline a tremendous model for discipleship. As we mature, the Lord will mold our thinking to be what He reveals to us. And then we are to hold fast to what we have already gained in Him. Once again in verse 17 (as in 1 Cor 4:16 and 11:1) Paul urges his readers to imitate him. This is not for his ego or because he intends to usurp the place of Christ in our ultimate discipleship, but because he understands that God has formed him into a teacher and model for younger believers. We are to 'keep our eyes on those who walk according to our example'. More on this later.

And what a passionate plea for the children of God to live as citizens of heaven in hopeful anticipation of our glorification for eternity with Him! The opposite of this way of life is as an enemies of the cross who seek to feed their flesh and worship shameful, worldly things.

How does this affect my worship?
The core of the word worship is 'worth'. The first part of verse 8 speaks profoundly to this idea of what is really worth it. If I truly value knowing Jesus Christ my Lord above all else, how can I help but loose my grip on anything I have gained on my own. If my focus is Him and only Him, and if I truly place surpassing worth in knowing Him, my worship will be transformed. Only by losing everything can I truly gain the best He has for me; Himself.

How does this affect my discipleship?
Verse 17 is one of those unexpected verses that just jumped out at me in this study. Paul sets up a mindset for multiplicational discipleship. Imitate me, and watch those who imitate me and those I have discipled. And if we truly emulate Paul, we then must at some point turn around to others and say 'Imitate me and those I have discipled'. For us to truly and righteously be able to say that, we must count every worldly thing as loss and be striving for only Christ. Without abandonment to Christ, this plea for imitators (or disciples) would be self-serving and pride-feeding. I must always remember that I am making disciples of Christ, not Ethan. Not just 'follow me', but always 'follow me as I follow Him'!

May you count as loss and press on in Him, to Him, and for His sake!

Ethan