Faith and Righteousness

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So we left off last week with Paul clearly explaining that a human being's righteousness came by faith in the Son of God, and that based on this God would give such a person HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS – impute it to them, which would grant them a state of justification and holiness that was exactly like His own – making the believer completely right before God. From here Paul adds the following verses which are so vital to the understanding of a Son or Daughter of God saying:

Philippians 3:10-16

March 22nd 2020

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God.;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Faith and Works

So, let me go to the board for a quick and simple illustration to help illustrate this principle Paul lays out for us: I want you to think of your Christian walk or life like it’s a donkey and a cart. We will label the Donkey FAITH and we will label the CART Works. We note that we could stand around all day long trying to put the cart first but that donkey will never effectively push the cart down the lane to the village. Therefore, in the Christian’s life the FIRST thing is always FAITH. Our faith in Christ Jesus not only justifies and sanctifies us in our lives, it is what moves us to do real Christian works led by God in us.

Let’s just take the example of forgiving others. Jesus said do it. Jesus did it. We CHOOSE to either place our faith in Him and His life and teachings – or not. TO believe (have faith in Him and His teachings – which we get from studying the WORD) we will THEN . . . forgive, which is a genuine Christian Work. In this we see how Faith always leads to true Christian Works. If we choose not to believe in the example of Jesus or His Words, we will not forgive, and we will therefore fail to pull the cart of the Christian Work called forgiving. From this we can always see that our failure to perform genuine Christian works is a failure in faith. And for this reason, the writer of Hebrews tells us that it is impossible to please God without it. Got that?

So last week, as I said, Paul clearly explained that we are justified and sanctified by our faith before God. The donkey is in place. By FAITH in Christ Jesus we are seen as completely right and holy before God. Now at verse 10, with this in place, Paul says that there is a reason for His being justified and sanctified with God’s righteousness. What is that reason?

Paul says (at verse 10)

1 know him,
2 and the power of his resurrection,
3 and the fellowship of his sufferings,
4 being made conformable unto his death;
(and he adds the reasons for all of this at verse 11)

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

The Purpose of Faith

So let’s go back to the board. As we said the Donkey is set. We have our standing before God by faith set and are seen by Him as possessing His righteousness – meaning we are His Sons and Daughters. We note that this FAITH is animate – it is a living faith. In fact, it is a faith that labors, doesn’t it, like a donkey! And Paul describes here in verse 10 what the labors are and then what they are for, saying:

10 That I may (Paul says) “That I may”

1 know him,
2 and the power of his resurrection,
3 and the fellowship of his sufferings,
4 being made conformable unto his death;

Then verse 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

God has made us new creatures in Christ by faith for a reason. And I would suggest that the four things that Paul lists here make…

Knowing Him

The Christian journey can be likened to a cart we pull behind us, with different beams representing essential aspects of our faith. These beams include knowing Him, knowing the power of His resurrection, knowing the fellowship of His suffering, and being made conformable to His death.

Knowing the Power of His Resurrection

The first beam is that we may know Him. We have already discussed the importance of knowing the Living God and His Son, as Jesus described it as equating to eternal life. Knowing them personally means getting familiar with their ways over the ways of our flesh. Paul continues, “and to know the Power of His resurrection.”

We remember that Jesus' resurrection is assigned to us as His disciples when we live this life. His death and resurrection serve as templates for our own dying to the former self, being buried with Christ in His actual death, and then rising to new life. This is knowing the power of His resurrection in our Christian walk. We walk here in the power of His new life, and that power is not of the flesh but a spiritual presence, a very different existence than what He had when tempted by all things. Filled with the power of His resurrection, we are empowered to overcome our flesh while still in it.

The drive and desire for this are made present by the fact that God has rendered us righteous with His righteousness. This is why we read in Romans 6:3-6:

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

The Fellowship of His Sufferings

Paul adds the third part of the cart, saying, “and to know the fellowship of his sufferings.” With Him actually in us and directing us, we are intimately acquainted with what He experienced in His moral life, which could be summarized as suffering. The insufferable act of turning the other cheek, of giving good for evil, of loving those who despitefully use us, of selfless living over selfish indulgences—all of it is known because we have been made the righteousness of God, which enables Him to dwell in us, giving us individual, real knowledge of these things.

Galatians 2:20 states: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

His love for Paul and us, and His giving Himself for Paul (and for us), was through suffering. Him in us allows us to understand this love through these sufferings and empowers us to walk in the newness of His life.

Being Made Conformable to His Death

Finally, Paul adds the fourth part of the cart, saying, “being made conformable unto his death.” This line seems, at least initially, anachronistic in the order Paul gives. What I mean by this is I would think he would first mention sufferings, then death, the resurrection, then knowing Him. But here, Paul first mentions knowing Him, then the power of His resurrection, then knowing the fellowship of His sufferings, and then lastly, being conformable to His death.

For this reason, it seems to me that Paul is speaking about being ready to die a similar physical death that was experienced by Christ Jesus. This passage reflects that he was knowing what it was to live as He lived, and then to die as He actually died. I’m not so sure this last directive is as applicable to us as it was to Paul himself. Nevertheless, it could be, in some manner, as we all seek to experience what in the Middle Ages was called in Latin, Ars Moriendi, which speaks to the Art of Dying a good death.

Christians in the Middle Ages

Christians in the middle ages. This seems to be what Paul is speaking to here. If we are going to look to people who have died good deaths the buck stops and starts with Christ – right? And Paul appears to be speaking of him being able to conform his own death to that of Christ's.

In our age the elements of ars moriendi may not have a big application but what does have great application is our willingness to die good daily deaths to our flesh – as stated, to be crucified daily with Him, be buried with Him, and rise to new life by the power of His resurrection. In all of these things, which we seek as Daughters and Sons of God through faith in His Son, we establish the platform or the cart upon which we gather, heap, stack labors of LOVE – the end goal and product of the Christian life.

Faith-Driven Labors of Love

This is what the cart that we are pulling behind our faith – we can think of it as storing or holding the fruits of our faith-driven-labors which are always LOVE – agape loveSelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty. – which are directly and indirectly produced by and through the elements the labors we do because of our knowledge of him, because of our knowledge of the power of His resurrection, because of the knowledge of His suffering, and even as it teaches us to be conformable to his death.

So, after establishing all of this Paul NOW says at verse 11:

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Again we see that Paul was not certain about the resurrection that he was going to receive. The Greek word translated attain here is used 12 times in the Apostles record to describe a “coming to” like when a man comes to a town or arrives at a home. Paul uses this word to describe his hope that he might “come to” the resurrection of the dead. Of course, Paul was naturally speaking about coming to the resurrection of the dead that was set aside for the just, so not just any old resurrection, and in all of this we see the fulfillment of verse 9,10 and 11 played out in our illustration:

(picture of Donkey and cart on board) With a corrupt person before it

SUPERMAN RESURRECTED

Old man Justified/Sanctified by FAITH Works (of Love) Verse 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. knowing him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Php 3:9 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Paul's Hope for Resurrection

Verse 11 is a weighty passage folks because it invokes how seriously Paul believed a good or a better resurrection was and what he believed it took to obtain it. “If by any means,” implies that he meant to make use of his most dedicated intentions to obtain it or come into it.

According to Acts 24:15 and 26:6-8 Paul knew that all would be resurrected. But the phrase, "the resurrection of the dead," here appears to mean the resurrection of the just -which as we learned through our study of 1st Corinthians 15 would be meted out by God, according to his own pleasure, and apparently based on the choices people made in allowing him to reign in and through them by faith in His Son. This was that which Paul sought – to rise with a body equipped to enter into the blessed state of God and Christ, his heavenly existence not in any way hindered by the resurrected body he would receive.

This is why and how the resurrection of the dead IS the culminating event of the individual Christian life because it will define the eternities for all of us – believe and not.

At this point Paul takes a minute to explain himself and the reason why he writes about things in the panacea.

The Pursuit of Spiritual Goals

“may,” and “might” rather than in “the certain.” And so he says in the next three verses:

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

These verses are full of allusions to the Grecian Olympic games – which are a very appropriate model to use when we look to the illustration Paul has provided us. Our faith is established, our cart is in place, and we are roaming and riding and moving according to the Holy Spirit, letting God reign in us which aids us in producing fruits of love. Where Paul borrows from the Greek competition, the illustration on the board is similar in we are all headed for the heavenly market bearing forth the fruits of love we gather. But relative to these verses lets imagine a Greek foot race.

And when Paul uses the word attained (which we said means come into) we imagine him running toward the end-goal of a race (with all that he’s got) and “coming into” the finish line. He hope to arrive or come into it, and to then receive the reward associated with having ran. And the natural question to all people is first, did you qualify to even enter the race before us? (which is faith) And have you appealed to the things of Christ to run with Him leading and fortifying you, and have we succeeded in overcoming the hinderances in your flesh (which in sport are fatigue, pain, temptation to quit) ran to the finishline a victor.

The Unfinished Pursuit

Because Pauls race was not yet done, he could not assess what reward of a resurrected body he would attain – so he could only hope. That is what the meaning of the passage is here: “I do not pretend to have attained to what I wish or hope to be,” he seems to be saying. He had indeed been converted; he had been raised up from the death of sin; he had been imbued with spiritual life and peace; but there was a glorious object before him which he had not yet received. So he says:

12 Not as though I had already attained (the resurrection of the dead), either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

But I pursue the object, striving to obtain the prize not yet given. “That I may apprehend,” that I may obtain, or reach, the heavenly prize, “that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” That last line seems to suggest that Paul, when Christ seized him into service, was seized for a specific purpose and that Paul connects his heavenly prize yet awarded to his also fulfilling the call that was on his life. And he adds

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Whether speaking of the call on his life (which it seems that is what Paul speaks of here) or his own resurrection, Paul says now

Focused on What Lies Ahead

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended.” I have not received or come into or finished anything yet, I have not become perfect (as he mentioned in verse 12 above – which means complete) but, he adds, “this one thing I do,” I am consciously “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”

And this is a great allusion to a race. Knowing what is ahead of him, knowing the prize at the finish line, Paul says that he does not concern himself with the events or competitors that have failed to finish the race or are trying to cheat their way to victory – he has forgotten that which is behind him and is focused on reaching forth unto those things which are before or in front of Him.

Now, this passage gives us a moment to sort of laugh. Paul, a great teacher and mind, really knew the Law and his topics relative to the truth – bar none but Christ. But he was no athlete and

The Importance of Keeping Focus in the Race

Anyone who is in a race (who knows what they are doing) knows that it is very important to know who and what is behind you as a means to strategize your win. It’s really hard to tell by looking at me but my youth, like many of you, was involved in competitive beach races – especially within the ranks of being a lifeguard. And I guarantee you that to compete well you are always aware of the place and position of those who are behind you.

And so his allusion, while excellent on paper, and full of the potential to teach, is humorously a fail – at least in modern competitions – and being the Greeks were the founders of the games, I’m sure they would have smirked at Paul’s allusion too. Even the commentators that I consulted, who we would expect to have limited insight into physical competitions, wrote things like:

“One running to secure the prize would not turn to look behind him to see how much ground he had run over, or who of his competitors had fallen or lingered in the way. He would keep his eye steadily on the prize, and strain every nerve that he might obtain it. If his attention was diverted for a moment from that, it would hinder his flight, and might be the means of his losing the crown.”

Pressing Toward the Mark

In any case Paul’s point was to say that His eyes were fixed on the win – and this I get – when it comes to finishing the race set before us in the faith, which causes Paul, speaking of what is before or ahead of him to now say:

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Appealing still to the Grecian Games Paul says, “I press toward the mark.” And in the case of competition, the mark seems to be the finish line or the markers that are established along the course to guide the runners. Paul says he presses toward this mark as one running a race would. Why? He says “For the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

This isn’t the first time that Paul has appealed to the games for an allusion. We recall that he wrote in 1Co 9:24-27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

In the Grecian games the price was an olive, laurel, pine, or apple wreath or branch but Paul makes it clear that the crown the Christians win is incorruptible. It is what Paul calls:

“the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Other Scriptural References to the Prize

What a prize. Did you know that there is a prize out there that God hopes all of His children will win? That Paul calls it

“the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Scripture speaks of our heavenly calling, our race and our crown in a number of places.

1st Peter 5:4 says to them then

“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

The writer of Hebrews wrote in 12:1-2

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Also in Hebrews 3:1 we read “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

And Paul wrote in 2nd Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,

A Heavenly Calling in Christ

I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

This verse clearly establishes the fact that for his own, for his children, his sons and daughters, God has “the prize” which is “of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” God’s heavenward call in Jesus Christ. God’s upward call in Jesus Christ. This is the prize Paul sought. It is the prize we all seek. But isn’t it fascinating that God has a heavenly calling in Jesus Christ for all who believe? Isn’t is both sobering and exhilarating to know that our God, the true and living God, through the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of His only begotten and beloved Son, has a heavenly calling for all who are His? Who are also His children? Who are also His Sons and Daughters?

The State of Mankind

What is that call?

(beat)

It’s on the board folks. You are either unregenerated and part of the walking dead. Or you are a person of faith. And if so are then you are a person who is knowing Christ, and his sufferings, and his resurrection in your life, and are you conforming to his death, pressing toward the mark for the heavenly prize which is of God for those in Christ! I am personally convinced that this is the totality of the plan of God for the salvation of the human race. It’s ordered in the way Paul lays out here. He loves all, he calls all, the salvivic work through His son has been done for all. But those who are His should know that there is a heavenly call in Christ offered to them by God, or as Proverbs 15:24 says

“The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.”

The prize for that way (I suggest) is meted out in and through the resurrection we will all receive once this race is over – and hopefully won.

Maturity and Unity in Faith

At this point Paul now says at verse 15:

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

I like the way the RSV puts this verse, saying “Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you.” Let those who are mature and therefore closer to completion, be united in the effort to obtain the prize, and if you see things differently, or are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. He will correct you or reveal to you the truth of things. That is the apostle saying this – and I love it. He allows for differing views and trusts that God would make corrections of them if need be. And he adds our last verse for today, saying

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

In other words, though there might be different degrees of attainment among Christians, and different views on many subjects, yet there were points in which all could agree – things to which they had already attained. With them in place they ought to embrace to same rules and mind them in truth and love. So we do this with all people. At least I suggest we do as mature believers. We see where we all agree and work from there – in love, knowing that there will be divergences of views and opinions on matters.

So I look around and ask: Who believes in fulfillment, in one God and One Lord, in the end of Satan and hell and in the total reconciliation of the world to Himself through Christ? And none raise their hands? And so I ask? Who believes Jesus is the savior of the world and there is no other means of salvation then by faith in Him? And I side with those who agree. And then I ask: Who believes that there is a God? And I side with them on that? And then I ask? Who believes in trying to live good lives? And I side with them in that – all the while NEVER giving an inch on what I hold true and close to my heart. Paul seems to suggest here that if believers are wrong in their views, God will reveal

Trust and Community

And in this I trust.

COMMENTS/QUESTIONS

PRAYER

Paula and her back The Knubel’s Others?