There is a major commotion brewing among the people of Philippi! Some people are claiming that in order to be right with God they need to follow all the Jewish ways of living and worshiping. So Paul writes them a direct letter explaining the importance of remaining focused on what Jesus came to adjust in those old ways of thinking. He is appealing to them to live in the full grace offered by God. Not reverting back to the all the rules and laws made by Hebrew men. Paul reminds them of his former life as a pure Jew (calling it "rubbish" (NRSV) -- or "dog dung" according to The Message). He wants them to know, that he knows, how difficult it is to fight the system in a land overflowing with Jewish and Roman authority. But focus they must! Commitment to Christ's call to follow him is eminent in the midst of all the popular religious and political views.
The analogy that caught my mind this morning comes in verse 12-13. Paul uses the athletic analogy of running race -- staying focused on the goal of getting to the finish line first. Not paying attention to what is behind him. What was before this moment! Just keeping on a forward track, running for Christ, regardless of any and all distractions looming around you.
Fast forward to todays world!
The question that popped up in my mind this morning was; What changed the passionate desire to "reach the goal" -- the hope we have in the truth of God Jesus came to bring us? Or as The Message states it:
15 So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet!
16 Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
The last few weeks. I have had the privilege of traveling to the countries of Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Countries that, in many ways, have kept their focus on Jesus' teaching for living. Ok, Hitler was an exception! None-the-less those people in those countries have a different worldview. Simple! Ordinary customs and habits of respecting the environment and other peoples 'rights' and property. They are 'free' just like you and me! And I began to wonder about our American Dream that began so long ago. A time when people began to exit Great Britain and the influence of Roman power. When people still held dear their right of religious freedom. And I sit here wondering what has diluted that precious offer of God's unconditional grace in the name of the American Treasure -- The Bill of Rights -- that define our identity today.
I will boldly suggest that the phrase: "I have the right!" is actually very close to God's gift to each individual. God not only encourages our individual right to be free! He is the giver of that freedom! God made us to be free! Free to be in his amazing grace!
However, at the sometime, he made us to allow others their own freedom to be as well! Equally to be! God made the individual -- in all makes and colors and nationalities -- to be respectful, gracious, compassionate and kind to all that was created from the beginning until now. Here in lies the tissue-paper-thin difference between our American Dream's definition of 'right' and 'free' and God's. The 'right to be' does not give permission to rule another. To control another! To judge another! To take from another! To be arrogant, or rude to another!
That is the message that I get from Paul's letter to the Philippians. That is, the only goal in our lives is to run the race the best way we know how in our own lane, on the track of life, to the very end.
What has happened to that goal?
1 And that's about it, friends. Be glad in God! I don't mind repeating what I have written in earlier letters, and I hope you don't mind hearing it again. Better safe than sorry - so here goes.
2 Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they're interested in is appearances - knife-happy circumcisers, I call them.
3The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ's praise as we do it. We couldn't carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it -
4 even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree:
5 a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God's law;
6 a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting Christians; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God's law Book.
7 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash - along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ.
8 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant - dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ
9 and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ - God's righteousness.
10 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.
11 If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
12 I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.
13 Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus.
14 I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
15 So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet!
16 Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. (Paraphrase of Philippians 3:1-16 The Message)
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