Completely Flipped – Philippians 3 (NIV)
Completely Flipped – Philippians 3 (NIV)
Verses 1-11
There’s a lot in these verses. I love the encouragement for confidence in knowing that when you are saved by faith and sealed with the Holy Spirit, you are the true circumcision. That’s better than a physical act of cutting flesh.
And Paul’s defense of his earthly credentials is very interesting. What great is that he uses it for the argument against that being of value. In fact, as he says, he counts it as worthless garbage compared knowing Christ:
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
He goes on in verse 9 that he wants to be found righteous through faith in Christ. But not only that…
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Paul’s core desire is to know Christ. I’m confident this isn’t knowing like one understands math but to be best friends. To know by experience, to be close in spirit, to fellowship with Christ. And to become like Him in always including experiencing suffering like
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
God said He would show Paul how much he would suffer for him. To Paul, this should likely be seen as fulfilling his role in God’s plan.
So, to Paul, this life and its trinkets was garbage compared to knowing God and being allowed to suffer for him. It’s completely flipped!
* Paul’s Prayer
* All Good
* Worthy Conduct
* Humble like Christ for Others
* Anger Hurts Unity
* Paul’s Two Friends
* Garbage and Suffering