We have a culture of following others. People use Facebook, Twitter, Pod Casts, YouTube, TickTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat and Instagram. How many people believe the media without other people talking it over? This media crazy culture shows us that God made us relational people. We need each other, yet sometimes those relational connections are harmful. The harm from a poor relationship was also Paul’s concern way back then as he was writing the letter to the church at Philippi.
When Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi, he encouraged the believer to press on by imitating godly people who follow Jesus (3:17–21). Last week, we studied how Paul provided three personal training tips for the believers. Press on, don’t look back and reach forward while pursuing the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Verses 17-21 connect with verses 12-16 in a strategic way. In verses 17-21, Paul provided another training tip. We should pursue God’s prize and grow to Christian maturity through the influence of faithful believers. Together, we are all part of His plan to grow and mature our faith. Ephesians 4:11-13 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
In 3:17 Paul writes, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”
Here, Paul encouraged the Philippi church to follow the faithful example of others. He issues similar exhortations at least eight other times in the New Testament. He understood the importance of spiritually mature people setting an example for other believers. Yet there is one problem, only a certain number of people want to live their life this way. We fancy ourselves with the mentality of a few of our contemporary athletes: “I’m the best player on the team, just give me the ball and let me do my thing, but don’t expect me to help another player be better, that’s the coach’s job.”
Part of being a Christian is to belong to the body of Christ and being part of God’s plan on earth. However, we can be either a good example or a bad example.
Note what Paul does in chapter 3. First, he says, “Follow my example.” But he continues as he is not seeking to produce Paul clones. He’s trying to stimulate believers to develop Christ-like characteristics. So secondly, he commands the believers to note others who live out Christ-like lives.
I want to call your attention to the Greek word for “note” or in other translations the word “observe.” The Greek word skopéō means to regard closely in a physical way. This word implies being in a close relationship with others! Much like the disciples did with Jesus for three years as He walked the earth with them.
Paul doesn’t want believers to focus on himself or any other person, but on Christ. However, he wants to make sure that the church recognizes that there must be godly examples that follow Christ.
Research shows that the average person has a sphere of influence of 150 people. (1990 research by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar). A big question to answer for yourself is, who is following you? Are you also able to say, “I’m involved and part of godly men and women in a church?”
Most people chose to limit their example to: “spouse, children, and grandchildren.” But this may be myopic. I believe that the Bible states that God desires you and me to impact and influence far more people than our family. It’s all part of the great commission and we should seek to fulfill the work God has given us.
In 3:18–19, Paul gives two reasons why it’s important to imitate godly examples. In chapter 3:18–19, he draws upon unfaithful examples as if he was contrasting them with the faithful examples in 3:17. Remember our reward in the race in this life is to hear “well done my good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23).
Paul writes, “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” -Philippians 3:18-19
Before we study these unfaithful examples, it is important to humbly acknowledge that we cannot be certain of the identity of these people. Many commentators think that this group was Judaizers, whom Paul has already warned against in 3:3. The problem with this view is that these people seem to have once embraced Jesus Christ for salvation. Notice, how Paul writes about them in verse 18 “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping.”
In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul named such persons, such a one was “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.”
The people described in 3:18–19 seem more inclined to libertarian worldview than the legalistic, ascetic practices of the Judaizers. It seems evident that Paul is warning believers about those who turned the grace of God into a freedom in Christ that God did not mean. They do as they see fit, supposing their freedom under God’s grace. (See Romans 6:1-2)
Hence, Paul is writing about a group of people that the church in Philippi needs to be wary of. It seems to me that Paul is speaking of professing believers who have walked away from a local body of believers. Paul is deeply concerned about these people. He is sad that they disowned and neglected their responsibility to others.
He weeps over these wandering believers and shares five descriptive characteristics that contrast a believer who follows Christ with a believer who follows their own pursuits.
As I was searching for a word to describe this type of person, I found a new word to share with you. Feckless: someone who evades responsibility that has been entrusted to them. It’s like a prince who abdicates the throne. They have the name, but decide to refuse the responsibility to represent and care for the kingdom.
We can also call this type of believer “AWAL” (a military term meaning Absent Without Authorized Leave). They keep to themselves and will not invest in God’s plan. This person will take Jesus name, but not His cross, the cross of Christ in this case means the sacrifice of ministry to others. Recall this is the emphasis of Philippians, especially in 2:4-8
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Let’s look at these unfaithful examples,
1. These bad examples are
“enemies of the cross of Christ.” Paul is not talking about
doctrine here; he is referring to the lifestyle of the lack of submission and
sacrifice of this type of people. It is also worth pointing out, that Paul says
these individuals are “enemies of the cross of Christ,” not “enemies of
Christ.” This suggests these individual’s identify themselves with Christ, but
diminish or distort what the cross implies for a believer to live sacrificially
for others and in submission to God’s will and plan on earth.
2. These bad examples are those “whose end is destruction.” These individuals refuse to follow their Savior’s will and thus their works and life on earth ends in vanity. The word “destruction” (Greek apóllumi) refers to a person’s efforts, objects, or institutions that they made their priority on earth—they will end “ruined or destroyed.’ All their effort will be as “chaff and stubble” (1Corinthains 3:11-15) yet they will be saved.”
1Corinthains 3:11-15 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
It’s like ‘placing new wine into old wineskins will be ruined’ Luke 5:37; ‘the thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy’ your possessions.
The
description about destruction is about waste. (see Mark 14:4; Septuagint: Lev.
6:3, 4). Instead of becoming what a person was purposed for with their
salvation, their work is lost and ruined. Yet this type of destruction is a
temporal consequence. (see Acts 25:16, death; Septuagint: Deut. 4:26; Esth. 7:4;
Prov. 6:15; Is. 34:5).
3. These bad examples are
those “whose god is their appetite.” This characteristic is not
just a reference to gluttonous behavior. It also refers to the pursuit of
physical gain in life (an appetite for illicit attractions, money, power,
etc.). This description shows in a graphic way, how they live on earth and invest
their lives with their priority for earthly desires at the cost of not
sacrificially investing in others in spiritual matters.
4. These bad examples are those “whose glory is in their shame.” This is a description of those who are proud of themselves and their lack of submission. It is glorying in their pride and their independence from God’s will. It is a lifestyle that says, “I don’t need to be with others and I don’t need to be a part of God’s church, I have my freedom.”
5. These bad examples are those “who set their minds on earthly things.” This is the summary statement. This description is about someone who sets their heart only on the things of this world. While setting their earthly goals, they lose their heavenly reward, they sacrifice their eternal reward in their race for the high calling in Christ Jesus.
The point of 3:17–19 is that people matter. Others matter to Christ, in that He loved us and submitted to God the Father’s will and sacrificed Himself on our behalf. Jesus did it for others!
Our relationships and influences make a difference in people knowing and learning about God and we are rewarded by Christ for that role. Remember, the only thing we can take to heaven is others. So, what keeps a person from gaining a heavenly prize? We can lose our prize when we are not godly examples.
If we are a faithful friend and a godly example: Our life choices tell people that Heaven is our home.
Philippians 3:20–21 Paul states: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.”
We are aliens and strangers just passing through this life. Our “citizenship” is not on earth, it is in heaven. Thus, we ought to live lives that portray our position in Christ. Interestingly, the Greek word for “citizenship” is políteuma. We get our word politics from it. Have you heard someone say I don’t talk politics or religion? Well, this word implies we need to reveal our citizenship in heaven and show our love for Jesus Christ in life every day and every choice we make so others can see truth.
In October 2017, we went to Israel. In order to get into Israel, I had to show my US passport at entry. Israel wanted to make it clear that I am not a citizen. Similarly, it should be clear to you and me that we are citizens of another country—a heavenly one! This should compel us to live for Christ and to set our earthly goals towards heavenly gains.
Now while we live on this distorted earth, we have been given an encouragement, as heavenly citizens no matter the news of this world, God’s purposes will stand.
Paul encourages us that we should be eager for Jesus’ return. The phrase “eagerly wait” (Greek apekdéchomai) speaks of zealous anticipation. In Greek, this word has the idea of a child standing on tiptoe waiting for his daddy to come home from work at the end of the day. As believers in Jesus, we should have this type of childish fervor. Like Paul, we should have a radical fixation on Christ’s return. If we love Christ’s appearing, He will one day reward us with the crown of righteousness. (see 2 Timothy 4:8).
Additionally, we have the promise and expectation of the glorious transformation of our earthly bodies.
Christians need to live as children of the King of kings. One day we will have the privilege of watching and worshipping the Lord face to face, but not now. We need to be examples of people that follow Christ and serve others. We really are princes and princesses, but for now on earth, we are asked to be servants for the King until that day.
We are on our way to our eternal homeland where we will receive our restored eternal bodies. In that day there will no longer be any trials, tests, temptations, or sins as in the day before the fall. Furthermore, our body will not experience weakness, sickness, or decay. We will be given glorified bodies just like Jesus! Since this is our glorious future, it should have profound implications for our present.
What kind of examples should we be?
- We need to be examples that show the power of God for eternal life and deliverance for us on earth.
- We to live life telling others that one day, God has the power to transform our bodies.
- We need to live life knowing that no matter what happens on earth God’s purposes will stand.
- We need to be the kind of church body that keeps climbing, pressing on and sets good examples for our children, for those outside our walls and for other believers to follow.
Others should be able to say with
confidence as we slip from this world into the next that “we pressed on toward
the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus by serving others.”