Hello Friends!
During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”
The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 3: Verses 17-21)
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (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: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself – Philippians 3:17-21
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Spiritual LIVING in the “Christian” life is a life-long particular PROCESS of personally pursuing an energizing “likeness” unto “our” loving “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself. And within this simple summation lies the Divine DIRECTION directing the whole crux of the MATTER concerning Sovereign Sanctification surmised…
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth – 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied – 1 Peter 1:2
Therefore, “we” must become MORE likened unto “Jesus Christ” in full each and every day in solemnly SUBMITTED sound sure “sanctification of the Spirit” surmised. Simply stated, this summary IS the obtained “obedience” and chased “conversation” chiefly “chosen” within the COMMITTED confines of a – CALLED Christian LIFE!
FOLLOW and MARK!
The aged “Apostle Paul’s” purposed practical willful “walk” is an excellent EXAMPLE for each of “us” as fervent “followers together” of the “Lord Jesus Christ” to each mindfully make a manifest “mark” step:
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample – Philippians 3:17
“Brethren” if indeed “we” are seeking to BECOME likened unto “Christ” Himself, each one of “us” will have to keenly KNOW fully what “He” was like! And where in this waning “world” does one GO for such an “ensample” encamped? To the Bible itself! WHY? Because therein is firmly found the fomented FULL righteous “revelation” of the real Character of “Christ” realized…
ONE: The Old Testament sets the scene for “Him” and aptly ANNOUNCES aptly that – He is COMING!
TWO: The New Testament great “Gospels” rightly record the DETAILS regarding – His ARRIVAL!
THREE: The Acts of the “Apostles” rightly record the INTENTIONAL intense – Impact IMPLIED!
FOUR: The Epistles themselves rightly record the SIGNIFICANCE of “His” lauded – Life LIVED!
FIVE: The Revelation rightly records the CONSUMMATION of “Him” in absolutely – ALL Things!
Therefore, “Jesus Christ” is the final FOCUS of absolutely “all things” considered. And this is WHY we seriously “study” the wonderful “Word of God” in order that “we” might KNOW keenly exactly what – He is LIKE!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The “Apostle John” said that “we” all MUST willingly “walk in the light” just as “He is in the light” by the blessed shed “blood of Jesus Christ his Son” shorn FOR our sordid “sin” in full…
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin – 1 John 1:7
And the “Apostle Paul” further in his “writings” to the grudging “Galatians” and carnal “Corinthians” along with the trusted “Thessalonians” had said yet again that if “you” really BELONG unto “Christ” He will be fully “formed in you” as such…
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you – Galatians 4:19
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord – 2 Corinthians 3:18
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost – 1 Thessalonians 1:6
The Sovereignly solidified Spirit-filled bold “believer” of whom aptly ALLOWS the wonderful “Word” concerning “Christ” to deeply dwell IN them “richly“ as a faithful “follower” is one personally PROGRESSING towards this solemn – Sanctification GOAL!
WICKED Walkers!
There are “many” of the jaundice Judaizers of whom pretended to personally PROFESS the Creator “Christ” and yet contradicted Him with a wicked “walk” through lying lethargic LIVES lived. Thus, “they” are actually the emulated evil “enemies of the cross of Christ” and dire “destruction” due to “their” own belligerent “belly” avidly awaits to fully CONSUME them:
(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 mind earthly things.) – Philippians 3:18-19
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: The extreme EXPOSURE of which these emphatic “enemies” do so fervently foster fully for “themselves” touted TODAY through rank radio, torrid television, besetting books and the intriguing internet is indeed STAGGERING to surmise…
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves… Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity – Matthew 7:13-15 & 21-23
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears – Acts 20:27-31
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not… For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire – 2 Peter 2:1-3 & 18-22
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world – 1 John 2:15-16
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ… These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life – Jude 3-4 & 16-21
Beloved, the chilled “church” congregations throughout the waning “world” abroad TODAY are on the theological threshold of being devastatingly DECEIVED by a manifold myriad of the MAYHEM manifested through “whose glory is in their shame” of whom will eventually “end” in an ETERNAL dreadful “destruction” determined. Therefore, “we” in kind MUST be very careful and deeply discerning to be sure NOT to foolishly “follow” absolutely ANYONE who is manically masquerading as a fiendish FRIEND but is in reality an enveloped “earthly” minded evil ENEMY of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself – WICKED Walkers!
LOOKING for Our Lord!
Next “Paul” eagerly EMPHASIZES that “our” constant “conversation” is wholly held in high “heaven” from which “we” indeed “also” lavishly “look” for the Sovereign sweet “Savior” and sure Sustainer the “Lord Jesus Christ” to come:
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ – Philippians 3:20
HISTORICAL HINTS: The precious “Philippians” could uniquely understand this contending “conversation” presented by “Paul” perfectly. WHY? Because “they” themselves were a colony of Roman captured “citizens” found FAR from Rome itself. Therefore, it was quite CLEAR to them what it meant to hold a “citizenship” somewhere ELSE abroad. Similarly, “we” too are “citizens of heaven” living right HERE on the “earth” encased...
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also – John 14:1-3
And much likened unto “Israel” of the Old Testament era when totally TAKEN into complete “captivity” by the engaging “Egyptians” and then again later by the barbaric “Babylonian” brigade, as it came “time” for each of “them” to go BACK to the “Promised Land” as such, MANY of them had decided that they WANTED to solely – STAY Slaves!
And that SAME analogous analogy can be made of the calloused “church” in kind. WHY? Because “many” mindsets MANIFEST the torrid “things on the earth” gathered rather than the tremendous “things which are above” having absolutely NO deeply deposited desire to leave and GO to our “heavenly” homestead…
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory – Colossians 3:1-4
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness – 2 Peter 3:12-13
Therefore, if “we” too are to personally PURSUE the crushing “cross” of our “Lord Jesus Christ” and His loving likeness with the purposed PASSION in which “Paul” himself deeply demonstrated as such, then “our” particular PATTERN must be soundly “set” overtly outside of this waning “world” to surely “seek” the latter – LOOKING for Our Lord!
Glorious BODY Beheld!
And gladly “we” have been PRMOISED a great “glorious body” to one “day” come and have ALREADY been made a “new creation” by the “change” of the INNER man “according to the working” of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself – Philippians 3:21
However, “we” are STILL innately incarcerated within “our vile body” of the UNREDEEMED fallen “flesh” façade:
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality – 1 Corinthians 15:50-53
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord – 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
For the “Christian” calling, the high HOPE of hosted “heaven” rightly removes any fostered FEAR of dire “death” directives. Therefore, may “we” each lavishly LIVE in such a way as purposely PURSUING the peaceful “prize” promised. And “Jesus Christ” will ultimately utilize the very SAME perfect power that “He” has to “subject” this ENTIRE universe unto “Himself” under His Sovereign complete control – Glorious BODY Beheld!
In closing:
This THRILLING passage points “us” to the main theological THEME of purposefully pursuing the “prize” set ahead. It firmly FOCUSES boldly back upon that which “we” have so “diligently” discussed in DETAIL throughout “our” previous “study” times invested together and is the grand GOAL of the “Christian” life itself – Christ LIKENESS!
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is – 1 John 3:2
Therefore, “we” must be rightly REMINDED of this very simple and yet quite basic telling “truth” told. But, is it necessary for “us” even to be REMINDED as such? – YES!
In this VERY complex “Christian” chasm in which “we” all learn to LIVE to which there are so MANY varying viewpoints, tantamount theologies, silly seminars, fanciful formulas and exotic exercises in the so-called GROWTH graded “ministries” mandated, sometimes it seems to crassly CLOUD the reeling real issues of a rigorous real life lavishly LIVED for “our” sweet “Savior” surmised – Live FOR Him!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
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