Philippians 3:12-4:1

Having just explained how he set aside his heritage and personal accomplishments of the past for the sake of Christ, one might think Paul is some sort of "Super-Christian" that nobody else could ever hope to follow. In verses 12-14 Paul clarifies that this is not the case; he is not a "perfect Christian" by any stretch.

Thus he begins verse 12 by noting that "Not that I have already obtained this, or have already been made perfect." Paul is not saying that he has already reached the level of knowing Christ, His power, and His suffering the best a person can. No, he is still on the journey. He is not perfect. But...

"But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Paul knows he is not perfect yet, but that doesn't stop him from pressing on. As noted in Thielman (195) this word either connotes military or athletic imagery. It is either of a soldier who despite the opposition keeps on in the fight, towards the enemy line, or of a runner in a long distance race who keeps going, perservering towards the finish line. As Thielman (195) notes, it is probably best to read the second part of verse 12 "because Christ Jesus took hold of me." Paul keeps pursuing the goal because of what Christ did in His life.

Verse 13 reiterates that Paul does not consider himself to have arrived. But the one thing he does do is...to "press on" toward the mark, the goal, the upward call of Christ Jesus. The pursuit is described with two participial modifiers: "forgetting what lies behind" and "reaching forward to what lies ahead." The pursuit of the goal involves keeping one's eyes focused on the ultimate goal (telos). There are two ways to keep the goal clearly insight: by not looking back or being distracted by anything else and by reaching forward to the goal. The athletic imagery is again rich here (Thielman 196).

Verse 15 begins with the word "therefore" (in the NASB) which is not a particularly good translation of the original Greek. As Thielman (196) notes, a literal translation of the passage would be "Those of us, then, who are perfect, let us think this." The "mature" (NIV) is a better translation than "perfect." In other words, Christians who are maturing in their faith should have the attitude of striving, pressing on for the call of Christ Jesus. God will reveal the need for this pursuit to those who do not have this attitude, perhaps those who are looking back or have difficulty keeping their focus on going forward steadily.

Applications

	No matter what our background, we can still press on toward what God has called us to - a life of holiness and service to Him. While it is important to repent of past sins and deal with them appropriately, our past is not to be a weight holding us back from following and fulfilling God's will for our life.
	A mature Christian is not a perfect Christian. A mature Christian still has struggles. But the sign of a mature, growing Christian is a continual pursuit of God's will for their life. There may be setbacks or trials, but the end goal is always in sight.
	Notice that God is the one who reveals immaturity to struggling believers. This is not to say that God does not use fellow believers to point out concerns in a brother's/sister's life, but the primary agent in the conviction of a besetting sin or hindering habit is God.

In Philippians 1:6 Paul reflect thankfully upon the fact that Christ had begun a good work in each of the Philippian believers and in the community and would continue it. Philippians 3:16 encourages the Philippians to continue to live up to the standard of Christian living they have been evidencing. Whatever false teachings or disunity may be festering, don't let eat consume you. Keep focused on the goal for which Christ has called you - individually and corporately.

Verse 19 gives four descriptions of the "enemies of the cross" identified in verse 18. In the future, "their end is destruction." In the present their "god is their appetite." In other words, they give into their fleshly urges with little or no regard for its effect on themselves here or in the future. They "glory in their shame." In other words, what is gross, despicable or shameful is what they brag about and find their satisfaction in. Finally, they "set their minds on earthly things." In contrast to this, just a few verses earlier in 3:12-14 Paul was describing those who are focused on eternal values, those things that Christ has called them to.

"The reference to the fact that their glory is in their shame is likely a euphemism for nakedness, in particular, for the genitals. This would be an allusion to their [the opponents'] insistence on circumcision."

"...the opposition Paul has in mind...are those advocating a more dangerous blend of professing Christ and the law in such a way as to diminish the saving work of Christ... It would appear also that Paul envisions these opponents as guilty of an overrealized eschatology. They may have believed that the future resurrection was now and/or that perfection in some sense could be had in the present."
from Ben Witherington III, Friendship and Finances in Philippi (Valley Forge, PA: Trinity, 1994): 90-91.

As Thielman (198-199) says, "Paul recommends two antidotes for these problems: He asks the Philippians to unite in their efforts to follow the example he and other mature Christians have provided for them (v. 17), and he admonishes them to remember that they are citizens of a heavenly commonwealth (v. 20)."

It may sound arrogant to us that Paul says "follow my example," especially after he had just tried to say he was not a Super-Christian. However, he and other mature believers ("those who walk according to the pattern") are in fact to be examples to younger, less mature, struggling believers of how to continue in pursuit of Christ. It is not really arrogant to say this, especially when we recall Paul's evaluation of his achievements in light of knowing Christ in 3:1-11. The Philippians are not to follow the example of those who "walk" as "enemies of the cross." Verse 18 shows Paul's passion for those in the church who are struggling or not following the Lord: "I often told you and now tell you even weeping."

"Since Philippi was a Roman colony, its politeuma, the register of its citizens, was kept in Rome, its mother city... As citizens of a Roman colony were expected to promote the interests of the mother city and maintain its dignity, so citizens of heaven in an earthly environment should represent the interests of their true homeland and lead lives worthy of their interest in the true homeland lead lives worth of their citizenship."
from F. F. Bruce. Philippians, NIBC (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1989): 133.

"When Paul says that 'our citizenship is already (Gk. hyparchei) in heaven' and yet points forward to its consummation at the advent of Christ, he illustrates the interplay of realized and future eschatology in the NT..."
from F. F. Bruce. Philippians, NIBC (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1989): 134.

Applications

	Importance of mentoring, discipleship with an older, more mature Christian man/woman.
	When was the last time we literally wept over someone who had turned from following God to the ways of the world?

The second solution to staying on track spiritually and growing in the faith is to remember that "our citizenship is in heaven." When the believer consider their already achieved but not yet realized future destiny, why would the be satisfied with filling their earthly appetites for a few moments when they will have all eternity to be satisfied with Christ's presence. Again, rather than focusing on temporary pleasures, they should be eagerly anticipating the Second Coming when Christ will return and transform these temporal, sin-affected human bodies into conformity with His image.

Applications

	Are you settling for temporary satisfaction to your appetites?
	Are you living with eternity in mind? an eternal perspective on day-to-day issues.