OUR FATHER WHO MAKES CLEAR

Philippians 3 verses 15 - 21 records the apostle Paulˋs exhortation to the Philippians to follow his example in how to conduct their lives. He deliniated maturity in Chirst as the destination that they sought for their earthly lives. Those who were already mature, needed  to endeavour to maintain the level of growth that they have reached. Paul pointed to his conduct and the conduct of those who lived like he did as the standard by which they could measure themselves against.

With emotion, he warned them about those who were in their midst who were enemies of the cross because they did not separate themselves from earthly things but rather focused on their appetites and  therefore, their ultimate end would be destruction.

Paul urges the readers of his letter to understand that they were already citizens of heaven and to remember that their Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, was from heaven  and that He had the power to bring all things under subjection to Him and that in the final stage, He will transform all those in Him from their low station in their temporal bodies into a glorious body that is like His own in heaven.

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Amen.

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