"Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind." (Philippians 3:15-16)
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, admonishes us, as believers in Christ, to "walk by the same rule." The word "rule" is translated from the Greek word "kanon." The English word "canon" is typically associated with the canon of Scripture, meaning the books recognized and accepted as being inspired by God. The Greek word "kanon" refers to a straight reed or rod to which some- thing was fastened to keep it straight or aligned. The word came to mean a measuring rod. Hence, the basic meaning of "kanon" is a rule or standard for measurement or judgment. Paul uses the word here as a standard for measuring the believer's walk.
The word "walk" is not the typical Greek word used in the New Testament of a person's walk. The word most often used is the Greek word "peripateo" which literally means "to walk about" and simply has reference to our daily conduct. Here in Philippians 3:16 Paul uses the Greek word "stoicheo" which means to walk orderly, to march in military rank, or to keep in step, thus to walk according to some order or rule. What is this rule or order for our walk as believers?
Paul clearly associates the "rule" for our walk with the word "mind." Those who are spiritually "mature" believers are told to "have this mind" (vs. 15), and he relates walking by "the same rule" with being of "the same mind" (vs. 16). The word "mind" is actually a Greek verb "phroneo" which means to exercise the mind, to think, to understand in a certain way; to be disposed in a certain direction, thus to be of a certain sentiment or opinion.
One of the primary themes of the book of Philippians is the believer's mind or mindset. This is particularly evident in the second chapter where Paul instructs the brethren at Philippi to be "likeminded," to be "of one mind" (Philippians 2:2). Paul tells them, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Paul identifies two elements of Christ's mindset we are to follow: 1) He humbled Himself and 2) He became obedient to the will of the Father. We find more specifics about the type of "mind" we are to exhibit in chapter 3.
Our passage, Philippians 3:15-16, begins with the word "therefore," which forces us to look back to the preceding context to understand Paul's admoni- tion. Chapter three begins with Paul warning the Philippians about false teachers, specifically the Judaizers, who placed their confidence in the flesh rather than walking by faith (vs. 1-3). Paul reminds them of his own past life in unbelief, a time when he felt absolutely confident in and even boasted of his fleshly accomplishments: his Jewish lineage, his circumcision, his education, his zeal for God in persecuting the church, and, to cap it all off, the righteous- ness which he felt he had established by his adherence to the Mosaic Law (vs. 4-6).
Paul begins verse 7 with the word "but" from the Greek word "alla," a word which indicates strong contrast. "But, what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ" (vs. 7). The things that Paul once felt were great gain to him, the things he boasted of and placed his confidence in, he now counted as loss for Christ. Paul continues, "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (vs. 8). When Paul came to know the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, his mindset changed drastically. He now counted (esteemed) all the things of the flesh loss for the one thing that excels everything: "the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Paul not only "counted" these things loss, he "suffered" the loss of all things. When Paul acknowledged Jesus of Nazareth (whom he once persecuted) as Lord and Christ, he lost his position, his reputation, and his favor among the Jewish rulers and among the majority of the Jews. He was willing to suffer this loss because he realized that the things which he once highly valued, were nothing but "rubbish" (KJV uses the word "dung") or worthless. Paul's mind, heart, and desire was now set on one thing: "that I may gain Christ."
What does it mean to "gain Christ?" Paul elaborates in verse 9-14.
Position—To gain Christ begins with our position, spiritually: "to be found in Him" (vs. 9). We are born into this world "in Adam" where we are spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1-3). When we trust in Christ as Savior, we are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ. God now sees us "holy and without blame," not because of any goodness in us or good works on our part (the works of the flesh), but simply because of our position in His Son (Ephesians 1:4).
Personal Knowledge—To gain Christ continues as we personally experience Him living in and through us: "that I may know Him" (vs. 10). The word "know" means to get to know through personal experience. Paul wanted to experience Christ in three areas: 1) "the power of His resurrection" (walking in newness of life by the power of the resurrected Christ living in us—Galatians 2:20). 2) "the fellowship of His sufferings" (suffering for the name and cause of Christ, who is our life, knowing that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution—2 Tim. 3:12). 3) "being conformed to His death" ( recognizing that we have been crucified with Christ to the things of the world, that our old sin nature, the flesh, is to be reckoned as dead, powerless—Romans 6:11-13).
Purpose—To gain Christ centers on fulfilling His purpose for our lives: "that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" (vs. 12). The words "lay hold" mean to lay hold on, to seize, to take possession of. Christ "laid hold" of us and saved us by His grace for a reason. He desires to use us in His service and for His glory. Paul desired to "lay hold" of Christ's purpose for His life and see this purpose realized in his daily life. This should be the mindset of every believer.
Pursuit—To gain Christ requires us to pursue one thing—Him: "to press on ... forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the mark ..." (vs. 12-14). The word "press" in verses 12 and 14 is translated from the Greek word "dioko" which means to pursue or to follow hard after. This same Greek word is also translated "persecute." All the zeal, time, and energy Paul once expended in persecuting Christ and the church, he now redirected in pursuing the excellence of knowing and serving Christ.
Prize—To gain Christ means that we keep our eyes focused on the ultimate goal: "to press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (vs. 14). As he lived and served the Lord, Paul was continually "looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Paul looked forward to Christ's coming for His Church with great expectation, knowing he would stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be rewarded for his service (2 Cor. 5:10). Having a mindset that values eternal things more than our temporary time here on earth has a powerful impact on our daily walk for the Lord.
"Therefore," Paul says, "let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind" (vs. 15-16). "This mind" is characterized by the things Paul describes in verses 7-14, things that are present in the mindset of a mature believer, things that enable a believer to grow into spiritual maturity. We are to exercise our minds in this direction, regardless of the level of our spiritual maturity. We are instructed to walk (order our steps) by this same rule, to think, reason, and purpose with this same mind. In brief, to growing, mature believers, Christ is our life (Colossians 3:4); He is our "all in all." Paul expressed the essence of this mindset in chapter 1: "To me, to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21).
In our last issue, we looked at Paul's admonition in Philippians 3:15-16 that we "order" our Christian walk according to a certain "rule," a rule based on having the right mindset. Paul describes this proper mindset in the preceding verses of Philippians 3. Its essence is found in the words of verse 8. "... that I may gain Christ." This is the mindset of a mature believe, the mindset that will bring a believer to maturity.
Paul follows this admonition with some examples of this type of ordered walk, some positive, some negative.
Positive Examples
"Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." (Philippians3:17)
Paul directs us to become "imitators" of him. The expression "join in following my example" is in the imperative mood, meaning it is a command. The Greek word consists of two parts: (1) the word "mimeomai," from which we get our English words "mimic" and "mimeograph, means to imitate or to follow exactly and (2) the preposition "sun" which means "together with." All believers are to be of the same mind and walk by the same rule; all believers are to be imitators of Paul.
This does not mean that we are to become "Paulites" or worshippers of Paul, but, as Paul told the Corinthians, "to follow Paul as he followed Christ." Paul was quite humble; he never magnified himself, but he did magnify his office (Romans 11:13) as an apostle of Jesus Christ, called of God to a unique apostleship to the Gentiles. We are to follow Paul in his doctrine, as the steward of the dispensation of the grace of God. We are to follow Paul in his attitude in faithfully serving the Lord Jesus Christ, the very attitude we find in Philippians 3:7-14.
Paul also directs us to "note those who so walk as you have us for a pattern." Paul's life was a pattern (type or example) for us to follow, but his was not the only one. There were others who labored with Paul in the ministry, both men and women, whose lives we should give special consideration to as well. Timothy was a young man whom Paul described as "likeminded," a man who sincerely cared for others (Philippians 2:20). Silas and Barnabas were fellow apostles who faithfully travelled and served alongside Paul even through times of great persecution. Aquila and Priscilla were a husband and wife team who "risked their own necks" for Paul (Romans 16:4). We also need to take note of brothers and sisters in Christ that we know personally who "so walk" and learn from their example.
Negative Examples
"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things." (Philippians 3:18-19)
Paul warns that there are many whose walk is not ordered according to the right rule or standard. Their walk is so far off that they have become "enemies of the cross of Christ." This was not the first time Paul had warned the Philippians about these people. He had often reminded them in the past, and now he felt they needed to hear it again. Paul did not hesitate to repeat himself, especially in warning the saints about spiritual dangers (Philippians 3:1), even when the reminder brought him grief. Just thinking about those who walked this way caused Paul to weep. Paul had a genuine love and concern for others, and his heart was stirred when he encountered those who did not know the Lord (Acts 17:16).
Those who are "enemies" are filled with hatred and hostility. Paul warned about those who were not just "enemies of Christ," but "enemies of the cross of Christ." There are many religious groups who claim to follow Christ, especially in the areas of His teaching and His life, but they deny His finished work on the cross. The message of the cross is the gospel for this present age, the basis for our salvation, but the majority of religious people in the world hate this truth. Many are like the Jews of Jesus' day. They are religious; they have "a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2). They are offended at the simple teaching that salvation is "by grace through faith" and that we are "complete in Christ" (Colossians2:10) without any religious works. To them, the "cross of Christ" is a stumbling block. Others are like the Greeks of that same generation. They are humanists; proud and self-sufficient. They consider foolish the teaching that man is, by nature, a sinner and in need of a Savior, and that man's salvation is only possible through the death of God's Son on the cross of Calvary. To them, the "cross of Christ" is foolishness.
Some have questioned if these "enemies of the cross of Christ" could include believers? It doesn't seem likely that a true believer could be an enemy of the cross, but believers can walk like these "enemies of the cross of Christ." That is why they are held up as a negatie example, to warn us against walking as they d
Four things characterize the walk of these "enemies of the cross."
1) "Whose end is destruction." The word "end" can mean their ultimate end, or it can refer to the result of such a walk. The word "destruction" can mean destruction, ruin, loss or waste. An unbeliever who remains an enemy of the cross of Christ throughout their life will perish. They will be separated from God and reside in the lake of fire for all eternity. A believer who walks like an enemy of the cross of Christ will not perish, but they will lose rewards, and such a walk will result in a wasted, ruined life.
Believers should seek to walk in such a way that our lives bring forth fruit, works that will stand the fires of the judgment seat of Christ and will endure to the glory of God.
2) "Whose god is their belly." The word "god" implies what they worship, serve, honor or value most in life. Rather than worshipping their God and Creator, their focus is on their own belly, satisfying the needs/wants of their own bodies, the desires of the flesh.
A believer's walk should reflect a desire to be "well-pleasing" to the Lord, a life more concerned with our spiritual life and relationship with Him rather than our mere physical existence.
3) "Whose glory is in their shame." They glory, boast, and rejoice in things they should be ashamed of; things that are not fitting, proper, or suitable. They have "debased minds," leading them to do things "which are not fitting" (Romans 1:28).
Believers should have nothing to do with these "unfruitful works of darkness." It is shameful even to speak about such sinful acts (Ephesians 5:12). These types of deeds are not proper or suitable for those whom God has called "saints," meaning "holy ones" who are set apart for Him.
4) "Who mind earthly things." Here is the fundamental problem with those who walk as "enemies of the cross of Christ": their minds. Their thinking, their reasoning, their value system is centered on earthly things instead of on heavenly things. They have not counted the things of this life as "loss" that they "may gain Christ."
Since we have been "raised with Christ" we are to "seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." We are to set our minds and hearts "on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2). We have been "crucified with Christ" to the things of this world. Our life is "hidden with Christ in God." Christ is our life! Our walk should reflect this wonderful spiritual reality.
This earth is not our home. Like Abraham in the land of Canaan, we are merely pilgrims, sojourners here on earth.
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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." (Philippians 3:20-21)
Our citizenship is in heaven. The King James Version reads, "Our conversation (conduct, manner of life) is in heaven." Both ideas are present in the original Greek word. We need to remember that we are heavenly citizens, and we need to think like heavenly citizens, even while living here on earth. What's more, we need to conduct ourselves like heavenly citizens. Our walk should be worthy of heaven and worthy of our glorious Lord who dwells there (Colossians1:10).
One of the things that helps us maintain such a worthy walk is to keep our focus on the future, on eternity. As we live and serve the Lord, day by day, we are to "eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Our hope, our expectation for the future is in Him. One day soon He will appear, and when He appears, we will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4). He will change our lowly bodies of flesh, and they will be conformed to His wonderful body of glory. We shall be "like Him" and we shall be "with Him" forever in our heavenly home.
Until that day comes, Paul encourages each and every believer to live a life ordered by the same rule, a rule I believe is summed up in this simple statement in Philippians 1:21: "to me, to live is Christ."
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