Philippians 1:25 HCSB  Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your advancement and joy in the faith,

Since I am persuaded of this. Paul felt that this was the will of the Lord on the matter. "Since" means that he was allowing that conviction to drive him to action. Allow me to demonstrate, "Since I know there is a lion in the next room, I will..." whatever. "Since I am persuaded that the economy will inevitably stall, I will pay my debts now and store food." Our true convictions always lead to action. If the vast majority of those who attend Culturally Christian churches are functionally indistinguishable from the world, they must not be truly convinced of Jesus' call upon their lives. Like Paul we must seek the will of the Lord, and then allow it to give our lives direction. 

I know that I will remain and continue. He has reached the conclusion that his imprisonment will not result in execution but that he will somehow be acquitted and allowed to go free (see 1:26 "when I come to you again"). 

For your advancement. That is the purpose of his soon-to-be-acquired freedom. It is for the advancement of the kingdom and the continued discipling of the converts. Again, we must all keep in mind what our true purpose in life is. It is not to simply pay off a mortgage or to enjoy the benefits of living in one of the most free nations in the world. If we continue living it is because we have a mission from our King that needs to be accomplished. 

And joy in the faith. This is where real joy comes in. When we get our priorities right and realize that our lives have meaning in Christ, that we have hope for the future, that this world is largely meaningless outside of our mission to serve God and that nothing it can throw at us can ultimately hurt us, we find joy. Not happiness, which is inextricably tied to pleasant circumstances, but joy that rises ABOVE our circumstances. There is joy in faith that the atheist or the agnostic will never know. 

Philippians 1:26 HCSB  so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Because of me. "No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main..." (John Donne) If we sin, we do not sin alone. Someone else pays the price as well (Exodus 20:5; 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 5:9). But when we do what is right and serve God properly, that too has an effect on others. 

• Matthew 5:16 HCSB  In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
  

We should each ask ourselves, "Because of me...what is happening in the lives of others?"

Your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus. In spite of Paul's willingness to remain alive and continue suffering for their sake, their confidence was not to grow in Paul, but in Jesus.

• Jeremiah 17:7 HCSB  Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD.
  

For we boast in Christ Jesus and do not put confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). 

When I come to you. Paul was in fact released from prison.

Philippians 1:27 HCSB  Just one thing: live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Just one thing. Paul is like God in that he keeps his requirements simple. God's demands were pretty simple in Gan Eden, the Garden in the land of Eden, i.e. "don't eat that fruit." His demands continued in their simple, straightforward nature. 

• Micah 6:8 HCSB  He has told you men what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: Only to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.
  

One thing is certain: if we fail it is certainly not because the Lord's demands are unreasonable. He spoke the truth when He said, "My yoke is light and my burden is easy." (Matthew 11:30) 

I find it instructive that Paul's demand in exchange for remaining alive and suffering for their sake is remarkably similar to God's in Micah 6, even though this was in the "age of grace." Hashem says, "Act justly, love faithfulness, and walk humbly with your God." Paul says, "If I have to delay my home-going, make sure that your lives are worth that sacrifice - live in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel." This is the same message that I continue bringing to you - my people, my flock, my congregation, my spiritual family. Live lives that reflect the joyful gratitude that should be the natural response of a saved people. 

Worthy of the Gospel. Our lives generally reflect the influences we've felt in the past. We have our mother's mannerisms, our father's sense of humor, our friend's values, or our society's taboos. As talmidim, the influence of our Master should be strongly evident to all who observe our manner of living. As ambassadors for the Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20), our lives should be worthy (Ephesians 4:1, see immediately below) of the Kingdom, reflecting our new status as royal priests (1 Peter 2:9). 

Standing firm in one spirit. Our unity should be based on the Spirit we share.

• Ephesians 4:1-3 HCSB  I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,  (2)  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love,  (3)  diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.
  

The Spirit's forgiving, sealing, and empowering presence should help us to build unity through humble mutual acceptance, forgiveness and restitution. 

• Colossians 3:12-14 HCSB  Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,  (13)  accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive.  (14)  Above all, put on love--the perfect bond of unity.
  

Our unity should be based on sound doctrine and submission to our spiritual elders. 

• Ephesians 4:4-6 HCSB  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope at your calling;  (5)  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. (verse 3, above, makes the pursuit of unity the context for this phenomenal doctrinal statement.)
  
• Ephesians 4:11-15 HCSB  And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,  (12)  for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,  (13)  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ's fullness.  (14)  Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head--Christ.
  

Philippians 1:28 HCSB  not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is evidence of their destruction, but of your deliverance--and this is from God.

Not being frightened. We are no longer children (Ephesians 4:14) to be frightened by the boogie man of death. We are no longer tossed about (James 1:6) by every whim of man. In fact, we demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ! (2 Corinthians 10:5) 

• Joshua 10:22-25 HCSB  Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of there."  (23)  That is what they did. They brought the five kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon to Joshua out of the cave.  (24)  When they had brought the kings to him, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the military commanders who had accompanied him, "Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings." So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.  (25)  Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight."
  

The first time God commanded the Israelites to cross the Jordan River and begin taking possession of Canaan, the people had balked. They considered the giants that were in the land, the huge fortified cities and the large professional armies and were too afraid to proceed. So, God made them wander in the desert for forty years until that entire generation died. Then He tried again. The next generation was made of sterner stuff and went about the task enthusiastically if not always intelligently. But apparently, there was still a residual fear because Joshua himself had to be reminded several times to be courageous (Joshua 1:6-9). Here, after a tremendous battle that involved taking on five armies at once, Joshua felt it was necessary to provide a visual lesson in courage.The five kings they had fought against had deserted their armies and were hiding in a cave. Joshua ordered the people to wall it up so they could finish dealing with the armies. When the battle was over, they took the wall down and dragged the kings out. By making the captains place their feet on the necks of these proud kings, Joshua was hammering home the fact that these kings had no real power over God’s people. What a lesson! We may not be fighting human armies, but we struggle every day with sin and the evil influences that pervade this world (Ephesians 6:12).  And so many times, we run when we should be triumphantly placing our feet on their proud necks. We are opposed and persecuted and we run away caterwauling like a little baby when we should be spiritual warriors! God has already given us the victory – all we have to do is claim it! Surely there is a mountain you can claim? Is there not one giant that you could dispatch? Are you truly content to remain safe and sound in the wilderness, to simply survive and wait for death? Be strong and courageous, for you are destined to gain victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. Study the Bible continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey it well. Only then will you succeed. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Go place your feet on the neck of some proud king. See what God can do – through you. 
 

Your opponents. Later, Paul would refer to these opponents as “dogs” and “evil workers” (3:2)! Most modern churches would likely throw Paul out on his ear if he preached in their pulpits and said such things. These canine evil workers are further described as mutilating the flesh, so he is undoubtedly referring to his perennial opponents the Judaizers. These were people who insisted that in order to be saved one had to follow the Sinaitic Law, including circumcision (thus “mutilating the flesh”).

Evidence. Those who persecute us for the faith consistently may be showing signs of their future destruction because they are clearly rejecting the Gospel; suppressing the truth; refusing to worship God as He has chosen to present Himself and thus will incur God's wrath (Romans 1:17-21). This is why they can do the things they do. They have been given over by God to their worthless minds to do what is morally wrong. 

• Romans 1:29-32 HCSB  They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, disputes, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,  (30)  slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,  (31)  undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful.  (32)  Although they know full well God's just sentence--that those who practice such things deserve to die--they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.
  

Surely Paul is justified in referring to them as dogs and we need to be cautious about giving what is holy to them because they will simply trample them with their feet, turn and tear us to pieces (Matthew 7:6). 

On the other hand, persecution (if actually for the sake of Christ and not because we are stupid and rude) is a positive sign, a litmus test of our salvation. We simply need to keep our focus on the long haul, to play the long game. 

• 2 Thessalonians 1:4-8 HCSB Therefore we ourselves boast about you among God's churches--about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you endure.  (5)  It is a clear evidence of God's righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering,  (6)  since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,  (7)  and to reward with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels,  (8)  taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
  

Philippians 1:29-30 HCSB  For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,  (30)  having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear about me.

Given to you…to suffer for Him. Both Paul and Jesus consider opportunities to suffer for Jesus to be a gift (Matthew 5:11-12; Acts 5:41; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:14). Cultural Christianity speaks often of the gift of salvation, but rarely or never of the gift of suffering. Cultural Christianity regards Jesus solely as a “get out of jail free” card, and not as King or Master. They don’t teach the responsibility of gratitude. They don’t teach that we need to go through affliction so that we can comfort others who go through affliction, allowing both Christ’s sufferings and comfort to overflow to us (2 Corinthians 1:4-5). They don’t teach us to expect fiery ordeals as perfectly normal, or that as we go through them that we should rejoice in expectation of glory (1 Peter 4:12-13). They don’t teach that they heirs of Christ are to suffer with Christ so that they may also be glorified in Him (Romans 8:17). They don’t teach that we should consider trials to be a great joy because they are opportunities to develop maturity (James 1:2-4). Apparently, they don’t teach the traditions of the Apostles as they have been handed down to us (2 Thessalonians 2:15). It is pertinent that we have been specifically commanded to keep away from those who claim to be brothers and yet live irresponsibly and not according to the tradition received from the apostles (2 Thessalonians 3:6).   

For a moving video on worldwide Christian suffering go here.

Having the same struggle…I had. Paul had been badly beaten and jailed during his first visit to Philippi (Acts 16:16-40). He’s in a prison cell again as he’s writing to them. His great encouragement is that “you have been given the gift of suffering” (1:29).

Philippians 2:1-2 HCSB  If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,  (2)  fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.

If. Paul's four ifs are rhetorical in nature. The assumed answer to the implied questions are obviously yes. Yes we can find encouragement in the fact that the Messiah loved us enough to die for us. Yes His love and the fact that He will return to be our King and will vindicate us offers consolation in the toughest circumstances. Yes we enjoy fellowship with one another through the Spirit that the world can only dream about. Yes the fruit of the Spirit's presence is affection for and mercy toward one another. The second half of Paul's "if-then" argument then continues. He's saying that the following characteristics should be obvious. They should be normal. It's like saying "If this is an apple tree then it should be producing apples!" (Matthew 7:16-18 cp Luke 6:43-45; Matthew 12:33). Salvation and the presence of the Spirit must necessarily bring forth spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). No fruit? That indicates a dead tree. Bad fruit? That indicates an actively bad tree. Such a tree will likely find itself chopped down (Matthew 3:10 cp Luke 3:9), burnt (Matthew 13:40; John 15:6) or cursed (Matthew 11:12-14, 20). 

Encouragement in Christ. D'vekut is the very heart of salvation. To be saved is to be "in" or "united with" Christ. To be in Christ is to be saved from one's sins and to be given the certitude of eternity in heaven with Him. From this central, core and critical doctrine flows all other fruit of salvation - including encouragement (e.g. 3:8-10; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20). 

Consolation of love. If all the world rises against us (as it soon will Matthew 10:17-18; Mark 13:9; Luke 12:11) we can console ourselves in that the Master loved us enough in that while we were still caught in our sins, He came to die for us. 

• Romans 5:3-8 HCSB  And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,  (4)  endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.  (5)  This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  (6)  For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.  (7)  For rarely will someone die for a just person--though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die.  (8)  But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!
  

We can be consoled in that though we may possess nothing and live relatively obscure lives on this earth, through the Master's death, we have received the forgiveness of sins and eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 8:38-39; 1 John 3:16; 4:9-10, 16).

Fellowship of the Spirit. See also 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 17:11, 20-23. This is what Jesus calls into...d'vekut. When you read John 17 especially it is like an invitation into the Trinity! 

Affection and mercy. We are to be characterized by zealous care for each other and good thick skins. We should not be easily offended by personal slights and the scratches of daily interpersonal living. And if someone is actively sinning, we should not hate our brother by hiding our frustration but should actively go and try to get him to stop sinning (Leviticus 19:17; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15) and win him back to the Way (Matthew 18:15-16; James 5:19-20). We should laugh with him when the blessings of life come and cry with him as he struggles through the darkest parts (Romans 12:15). We should treat him the way we would like to be treated (Matthew 7:1-2, 12; Luke 6:31). 

This is not something that comes naturally to the yetzer hara. It must be put on deliberately; cultivated deliberately. 

• Colossians 3:12-14 HCSB  Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,  (13)  accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive.  (14)  Above all, put on love--the perfect bond of unity.
  

However, as you can see, to the degree that we succeed in doing this is the degree to which we get to enjoy "the perfect bond of unity." 

Thinking the same way...same love...same feelings...one goal. This unity in the Spirit is a fundamental reality of the life of believers. The Messiah has not come to provide only salvation. To be an Adonaic Christian is not just to be saved. It is about d'vekut, an intimate, passionate relationship with Jesus. Those who have that kind of relationship with Jesus will have a similar relationship with other, like-minded folk (Matthew 10:40; Luke 10:16; John 13:20). To me, this list is in reverse order, going from the consequences to the root. Those who truly share a common goal (loving God, worshiping and glorifying Him by serving our fellow man in obedience to His mitzvoth) will naturally begin to share similar feelings about issues. Time spent together laboring together and sharing common feelings and goals will lead to love. Those who have loved each other and worked together for a long time, begin to think alike. Obviously this "thinking the same way" (see also Romans 12:16; 15:5; 2 Corinthians 13:11) doesn't mean cultic uniformity of thought but instead implies a common way of thinking. Jesus and His kingdom takes a priority in our minds (Matthew 6:33). The Scriptures, and not Lowlander philosophy or even our own thoughts and feelings, are our standard (Proverbs 3:5-6; 29:18; Isaiah 8:20; John 12:48; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Galatians  1:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). We want to generally honor all humanity but we put a priority on the Brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17). These broad generalities are common to all Adonaists. 

Philippians 2:3 HCSB  Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

Rivalry or conceit. In the years of my ministry I have come to see that the vast majority of strife that congregations experience is not due to doctrinal but to interpersonal issues. And the vast majority of these are usually due to pride, envy, jealousy or their ilk. If we could only take Paul's command to "do nothing out of rivalry or conceit" we would effectively eliminate most of our congregational problems!

Rivalry and conceit, (and these ARE related sins), will be the death of unity and peace in a congregation. This may have been the problem between Euodia and Syntiche. Note Paul's advice to them: "agree in the Lord...rejoice in the Lord." (Philippians 4:2-4). The context (that we'll examine more carefully later) provides us with the means to put into practice the admonition to "think the same way, have the same love, feelings and goal." 

We need to cultivate the same view of these sins as the Spirit does, Who lists "hatred, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions and envy among the terrible works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). These not only create cliquishness that can lead to church splits, they can even so blind a person that they would even preach the Gospel out of a sinful sense of rivalry (Philippians 1:17)! Such behavior is not an indication of wisdom but of bitter envy and selfish ambition in our hearts (James 3:13-14). Instead, we need to be more like Avraham Avinu, our father Abraham, who was willing to even take a loss, yielding to his much younger nephew Lot rather than asserting his rights and continuing the quarreling in his house (Genesis 13:8-9). Or, as Paul is about to instruct us, perhaps we who are supposed to be disciples should take on the mindset of He who is supposed to be our Master?

In humility. Humility is a form of discipline. We are told over and over to humble ourselves (Exodus 10:3; 2 Chronicles 12:6-7; 30:11; Daniel 10:12; Matthew 11:29; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5-6) . This makes much more sense when we consider the next phrase. 

Consider others as more important. It's not that they actually ARE better or more important than we are but that (like our Master) we don't grasp our rights or consider our gifts as something to be used to our own advantage. Out of a desire to love our neighbor as ourselves, we consider them worthy of preferential treatment (Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5). 

Philippians 2:4 HCSB  Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

not only for his own interests. There is nothing wrong with looking after your own interests. Jesus ate, drank, rested, periodically retired into solitude, had larger and smaller groups of people with which he fellowshiped. He generally took care of Himself until it was time to go to the cross. Paul too knew how to be content with not only poverty but also material comfort. 

• Philippians 4:11-12 HCSB  I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  (12)  I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content--whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
  

We are not necessarily called to "burn out for Christ" in the same sense that McCheyne or Brainerd understood it. I feel that it was wrong of them to not take adequate care of their bodies. Dying young because you didn't take care of the body the Lord gave you is not honorable in my estimation. 

• 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 HCSB For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.  (13)  It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality--  (14)  at the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may also become available for your need, that there may be equality.
  

Though we are willing to sacrifice and even willing to lay down our lives for Christ's sake if need be, Adonaists are NOT ascetics!

• Colossians 2:22-23 HCSB All these regulations refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines.  (23)  Although these have a reputation of wisdom by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value against fleshly indulgence.
  

But also for the needs of others. 

• Romans 15:1-3 HCSB  Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.  (2)  Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, in order to build him up.  (3)  For even the Messiah did not please Himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.
  

Philippians 2:5 HCSB  Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

Make your own attitude. As we have seen before (see notes on 2:3; humility) we hold a great degree of control over our own attitudes (Leviticus 10:6-7; Psalm  4:4 cp Ephesians 4:26). We can choose to have control over our feelings or we can give them free rein and allow them to control us. We either make them or they make us! Jesus didn't WANT to go to the cross (Matthew 26:39). He dreaded it as anyone would. Nevertheless He decided to make the Father's will sovereign over His own (Matthew 26:42; John 5:19). 

That of Christ Jesus. It doesn't matter that He is the God/Man (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9) and that we are mere humans (Psalm 8:4; 144:3-4). It doesn't matter that He is sinless perfection (Hebrews 4:15) and that we are all like sheep that have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6); that our righteousness are as filthy rags compared to His works (Isaiah 64:6-8). It doesn't matter that we will not meet that goal in our lifetime (Philippians 3:12-13). He remains the goal. He is the standard by which we measure ourselves. Whenever we compare ourselves to anyone else but Him, we demonstrate our foolishness (2 Corinthians 10:12). We need to deliberately choose to make a life-long effort to imitate the Messiah's self-sacrificing humility and benevolence (Matthew 11:29; John 13:12-17)

What was Jesus' predominant attitude? Let's let the Apostle Paul define that attitude in the next few verses but as a quick, short answer let's look at Ephesians where he gives us specific, practical instruction in this regard.

• Ephesians 4:1-3 HCSB  I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,  (2)  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love,  (3)  diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.
  

How do we walk worthy of the Lord? How do we imitate Him? He clothe ourselves in humility, gentleness, patience, and loving acceptance while maintaining the unity of the Spirit and peace. There are entire sermon series there but let's move on to verse 6, shall we?

I have found in my studies that lists usually have some order or meaning that is not always immediately noticeable but that make their appearance with more study. It's a bit like the quasi-periodicity of chaos theory. You look at it and at first it seems like a big jumbled mess, then as you keep looking and comparing and learning, the underlying patterns suddenly pop out.

For instance, consider the fourteen steps down the slippery slope of Romans 1:18-32:

1.    The rashaim suppress the truth they know.
2.    They deliberately refuse to glorify God.
3.    They are ungrateful.
4.    Their thinking becomes nonsense as their minds are darkened.
5.    They claim to be wise while becoming fools.
6.    They focus on and worship creation; material things.
7.    God delivers them to their cravings.
8.    The begin to degrade their bodies sexually.
9.    The begin to worship creation.
10. The begin dabbling in perverted forms of sex.
11. They denigrate knowledge of God.
12. God delivers them to worthless minds.
13. They are filled with all unrighteousness.
14. They begin encouraging others to imitate them.
 
The next five verses have a structure to them that may not immediately jump out at you but that becomes apparent once you think about it a little more. 
Seven Steps of Humility                                       Seven Steps of Exaltation
He set aside His divine form (v.6a)                           He was highly exalted (v.9a)
He set aside His divine prerogatives (v.6b)              He was given a superior name (v.9b)
He became a servant (v.7a)                                     Every knee bows to Him (v.10a)
He became a human (v.7b)                                      Spiritual creatures kneel (v.10b)
He set aside His human prerogatives (v.8a)             Earthly creatures kneel (v.10c)
He became obedient to the point of death (v.8b)     Death kneels (v.10d)
He even accepted the cross (v.8c)                          All will confess His sovereignty (v.11)
  

Philippians 2:6 HCSB  who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.

Existing in the form of God. Here Paul echoes the teaching of John the Beloved in John 1:1-18, especially: 

• John 1:1 HCSB  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  

Elsewhere, Paul describes Jesus saying:

• Colossians 1:15-20 HCSB  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation;  (16)  because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.  (17)  He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.  (18)  He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.  (19)  For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,  (20)  and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross--whether things on earth or things in heaven.
  

The belief that Jesus was both fully God and fully human did not evolve gradually in the Church. It was explicitly taught by the Apostles from the beginning; it simply took time for some to acknowledge or even understand this mystery. 

Philippians 2:7 HCSB  Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form,

Emptied Himself. Jesus explained the reasoning for this as following:

• John 12:24 HCSB  "I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop.
  

As the grain must be detached from the plant, suffer loss of that particular vitality, and shed much of its defenses as it dies, so the Son of Man had to voluntarily set aside His rights and privileges, suffer loss, and be willing to die so that He could be the firstfruits of a holy harvest (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

Assuming the form of a slave. This could either mean He became human, implying that humans are Yahweh's slaves, or simply be emphasizing the Messiah's voluntary submission to the will of the Father in all matters (John 5:19). Apparently this is not unique to the Son for the Spirit also voluntarily submits to the Father (John 16:13). The Messiah did what few of us are willing to do. He became a slave so that other's needs could be met. He became poor so that we could become rich. 

• 2 Corinthians 8:9 HCSB  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: although He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.
  

Most culturally Christian preachers stop there. They pound on the pulpits and shout hallelujah over their riches. Yet if we are to truly emulate the Master, then we too, though we are rich, should not consider our position and wealth as something to be grasped. Instead we should voluntarily set aside our rights and serve others. 

Philippians 2:8 HCSB  He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death--even to death on a cross.

Humbled by becoming obedient. The Bible commands us over and over again "humble yourselves" (Exodus 10:3; Daniel 10:12; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6). 
Apparently "humbling ourselves" is our responsibility. It's something we are supposed to work at. In some instances we are told to clothe ourselves in humility (1 Peter 5:5). 

Yom Kippur is one day a year that we take this command especially literally as we remember our sins and try to bring our spirits into an attitude of contrition.
Many people get caught up in the fallacy that humbling themselves necessitates asceticism. Don't get me wrong. The spiritual discipline of fasting is commanded in the Scripture and I recommend it to you. But do not think that it is the BEST way to humble yourself. Humbling ourselves does not necessarily involve wearing sackcloth, living in a cave, and taking a vow of silence. Few will listen to this advice, but the BEST way to humble ourselves is to be obedient. 

• Jeremiah 44:10 HCSB  They have not become humble to this day, and they have not feared or walked by My law or My statutes that I set before you and your ancestors.
  

We actually like the ascetic forms of humiliation because they can be short term, they can be easily seen by others, and they do not necessarily impinge on the totality of our lives. They can be limited to a little corner in our lives. Yet listen to what David had to say about his experience with God.

• Psalms 40:6-8 HCSB  You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; You open my ears to listen. You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.  (7)  Then I said, "See, I have come; it is written about me in the volume of the scroll.  (8)  I delight to do Your will, my God; Your instruction resides within me."
  

Or if your tastes run toward the New Covenant, heed Paul's warning.

• Colossians 2:23 HCSB  Although these have a reputation of wisdom by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value against fleshly indulgence.
  

This is the lesson that Jesus teaches to this very day by His example.

• Hebrews 5:8-9 HCSB  Though a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered.  (9)  After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
  

     Contrary to our usual practice of putting ourselves forward; of seeking our own good or our own advancement; Jesus practiced humble obedience to the Father. In some mysterious way this "perfected" Him and made Him into the source of eternal salvation. In a less mysterious way (for we are clearly sinners in great need of perfection) our humble obedience to the Scriptures we already know will perfect us, purify us, prepare us to become whatever the Father needs us to be for the betterment of the world and the advancement of His kingdom.

Even death on a cross. This Roman method of capital punishment, death by crucifixion, was designed by a people who were infamous for their barbaric cruelty to be particularly slow, agonizing and publicly humiliating. Death for an immortal was unthinkable. Death of the Holy One as a criminal hanging on a cursed "tree" (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13) was unimaginable. 

Take a look at:

• Hebrews 12:2 HCSB  keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.
  

We often care too much about our reputation. We dislike having people dislike us too much. We try to justify our actions, explain our motives, defend our methods, all in an attempt to avoid the shame of rejection. Yet the Bible says that Jesus "despised the shame." That's not the same way that we "despise" in the sense of "avoid due to deep aversion". It means He thought little of the shame. It meant nothing to him. Listen to Jesus' own comment as described in a Messianic prophecy.

• Isaiah 50:5-7 HCSB  The Lord GOD has opened My ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn back.  (6)  I gave My back to those who beat Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting.  (7)  The Lord GOD will help Me; therefore I have not been humiliated; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.
  

He didn't deny the feeling of shame. It wasn't like He couldn't feel the beating or the pain of His beard being torn out. It was that He recognized that in the long term, in the end - He would be vindicated before His foes. 

You may think that this is something that is not available to mere humans, yet listen to what the author of Hebrews had to say about the prophet Moses.

• Hebrews 11:24-26 HCSB  By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter  (25)  and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin.  (26)  For he considered reproach for the sake of the Messiah to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since his attention was on the reward.
  

Philippians 2:9-10 HCSB For this reason God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name,  (10)  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow--of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth--

For this reason. It was not Jesus' divinity; it was not His position within the Trinity; it was not His role in creation; nor was it His part in the giving of Halakha (Biblical Law) that brought Him to a place where the Father wanted to exalt Him. It was His willingness to humbly obey. 

God also highly exalted Him. It is when we fear the Lord, and humble ourselves sufficiently to hear and obey Lady Wisdom's instruction that the gate to the path of exaltation swings wide for us. 

• Proverbs 15:33 HCSB  The fear of the LORD is wisdom's instruction, and humility comes before honor.
  
• Proverbs 18:12 HCSB  Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but before honor comes humility.
  
• Proverbs 29:23 HCSB  A person's pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.
  

This is not something that only works in heavenly, supernatural realms. It is a day-to-day strategy. Humbling ourselves before our parents.

• Luke 2:51-52 HCSB  Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.  (52)  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.
  

Humbling ourselves before our leaders or bosses.

• Proverbs 25:6-7 HCSB  Don't brag about yourself before the king, and don't stand in the place of the great;  (7)  for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here!" than to demote you in plain view of a noble.
  

Humbly refusing to spread lashon hara about even our opponents. 

• Proverbs 25:8-10 HCSB  Don't take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterwards if your opponent humiliates you?  (9)  Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret;  (10)  otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you'll never live it down.
  

Gave Him the name. The Father has given the Son a name that is superior to all others, but He remains willing to give us a name that is superior to the ones we now possess. 

• Revelation 2:17 HCSB  "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.
  
• Revelation 3:12 HCSB  The victor: I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God--the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God--and My new name.
  

Every knee should bow. The Trinity minces no words when it comes to establishing the divine Kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are very clear in the type of language they use. 

• Isaiah 45:22-25 HCSB  Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other.  (23)  By Myself I have sworn; Truth has gone from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.  (24)  It will be said to Me: Only in the LORD is righteousness and strength." All who are incensed against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.  (25)  All the descendants of Israel will be justified and find glory through the LORD.
  

The world is fine with you believing in Jesus as your Savior as long as you don't insist that He is the  ONLY one available. They are fine with you saying you are a sinner in need of saving and perfecting as long as you don't extend that onto them. But the world is definitely NOT ok with you saying that Jesus is King and that He has sovereign rights to their lives, their ambitions, their material wealth and even their health. Listen to what God has to say to the world on this matter.

• Psalms 2:1-12 HCSB  Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain?  (2)  The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the LORD and His Anointed One:  (3)  "Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints."  (4)  The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them.  (5)  Then He speaks to them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath:  (6)  "I have consecrated My King on Zion, My holy mountain."  (7)  I will declare the LORD's decree: He said to Me, "You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.  (8)  Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.  (9)  You will break them with a rod of iron; You will shatter them like pottery."  (10)  So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth.  (11)  Serve the LORD with reverential awe, and rejoice with trembling.  (12)  Pay homage to the Son, or He will be angry, and you will perish in your rebellion, for His anger may ignite at any moment. All those who take refuge in Him are happy.
  

In heaven, on earth, under the earth. The righteous dead, the holy angels and the other magnificent creatures described in Revelation are in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8; Mark 8:38). Living humans walk the surface of the earth while Lucifer's dark companions hover in the atmosphere (Ephesians 2:2; 6:12). Under the earth at this point in time are the wicked dead who remain in Sheol, in Gehenna, awaiting their final judgment (Revelation 20:12-15). This general spiritual topology is also alluded to in:

• Exodus 20:4 HCSB  Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. (See also Deuteronomy 4:15-18; 5:8; Revelation 5:3)
  

And

• Ephesians 4:8-10 HCSB  For it says: When He ascended on high, He took prisoners into captivity; He gave gifts to people. (9)  But what does "He ascended" mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth?  (10)  The One who descended is the same as the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.
  

Jesus descended from heaven, walked the Earth with us for a while, died and descended into Sheol's Paradise (Luke 23:43), resurrected and ascended to heaven (John 20:17; Acts 2:34), bringing the righteous dead with Him and effectively moving Paradise from Sheol to Heaven (2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7). 

Effectively, the fact that Jesus' sovereignty extends to Heaven, Earth, and even to Death, is a natural byproduct of the fact that:

• John 1:3 HCSB  All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.
  

Philippians 2:11 HCSB  and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Every tongue confess. This is the duty of every part of creation. 
Humanity. 

• Romans 10:9-10 HCSB  if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  (10)  With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.
  

Nature. 

• Psalms 19:1 HCSB  For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.
  
• Luke 19:40 HCSB  He answered, "I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!"
  

And as Paul here explains ultimately even the occult forces will acknowledge Christ's primacy. However, the truth is already in their hearts as James tells us.

• James 2:19 HCSB  You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe--and they shudder.
  

Jesus Christ is Lord. (see also Ephesians 1:20-23) This ran contrary to the public statements required of Roman citizens who worshiped the emperor. For example, once a year, everyone in the province of Pergamum was commanded to put incense on the altar of "divine" Caesar and declare, "Caesar is Lord". This was understood as an oath declaring that the Emperor was the person's god and sovereign master. Most believers courageously refused to take the oath. This soon led to significant persecution of the followers of the Way, who would not make such a declaration, saying instead "Jesus is Lord" refusing to give the emperor honor due to God alone. It is very likely that this is the very scenario that led to the martyr Antipas (mentioned in Revelation 2:13) being killed for refusing to worship the emperor. By the way, Antipas is the only person besides Jesus who is called a "faithful" or "true" witness in the Bible.

Today, we too must publicly declare our fealty. To whom do we declare and demonstrate our loyalty? Where do our hearts lie? If we are faithful witnesses, it is very likely that we too will suffer persecution of one form or another. 

• John 15:18-21 HCSB  "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. (19)  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. (20)  Remember the word I spoke to you: 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. (21)  But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don't know the One who sent Me.
  

One day it will get so bad that we will not only have to choose between our government and Jesus but even between our family and Jesus. 

• Luke 21:12-18 HCSB  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of My name. (13)  It will lead to an opportunity for you to witness. (14)  Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, (15)  for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. (16)  You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will kill some of you. (17)  You will be hated by everyone because of My name, (18)  but not a hair of your head will be lost.
  

We must be very careful to not allow these pressures to cause us to fail to declare our allegiance to our rightful King. 

• Luke 9:23-26 HCSB  Then He said to them all, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (24)  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it. (25)  What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself? (26)  For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and that of the Father and the holy angels.
  

To the glory of the Father. Lots of religions acknowledge the existence of God but they fail to worship the Son. In doing so they miss the point. Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:14), the fullness of the godhead in a body (Colossians 2:9), the only Mediator between God and Humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). The one who sees Jesus, sees the Father (John 14:7, 9). Fail to acknowledge Jesus and you might as well be an atheist. 

I would like to give you a word of caution here. Be careful to not call Jesus your King if He is not. Jesus warned that many will try to claim a relationship with Him, may even BELIEVE they have a relationship with Him, but will to their dismay hear "I never knew you." (Matthew 7:21-23)

You had better claim Him as both your Savior and King. You need saving. You need adopting into His family. You need a King who will keep Satan's forces at bay and protect you all the way to the gates of glory. You need Jesus in every way He presents Himself. 

Philippians 2:12 HCSB  So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Work out your own salvation. The concept is not "work FOR your salvation" which no one can do (Romans 3:20, 23, 27-28; 9:16; Galatians 3:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5). Rather we are working out the ramifications of what has happened to us. We are working out the yeast of the Kingdom into every bit of the dough of our lives. We are answering the questions "What does my salvation mean to my ...job ...marriage ... addiction ...worries ...death ...etc"

Philippians 2:13 HCSB  For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose.

Enabling...both to will and to act. Our motives, our faith and our actions are integral and cannot be separated. This is why "by their fruit you shall know them" (Matthew 7:16, 20) and "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45) and "faith without works is dead" (James 2:18, 20, 22, 26). This is what Paul was referring to when he spoke of "faith working through love" (Galatians 5:6). This is also why Paul said that great works that are not actually properly motivated by love are useless (1 Corinthians 13). We must consider humans in a holistic manner. We cannot tease the spirit from the soul too much, or care for the body without taking the mind, will and emotions into account. What's amazingly humbling is the fact that God is the One who enables it all. We seriously can take no credit for anything. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13) , the Author and the Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). 

His good purpose. We need to understand and accept that our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3 cp Romans 8:29-30; 9:11). But that's all right because His purpose is to bring peace on Earth (Luke 2:14) mercy (Romans 9:16-18) and He delights to give us the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). These are only some of the reasons we consider His will to be good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2). 

Philippians 2:14 HCSB  Do everything without grumbling and arguing,

In verse 12 Paul advised us to "work out" our salvation into every aspect of our lives. Here he begins offering some practical examples of what he means. 

Grumbling and arguing. We humans have been guilty of discontent from the very beginning. 

• It began in the garden in the land of Eden (Genesis 3) where we failed to believe in God's good will for us and (in our stupid arrogance) reached out for the forbidden fruit. 
  
• We grumbled in the desert about our thirst (Exodus 15:24). 
  
• We grumbled about food (Exodus 16:2-3). 
  
• Not learning the lesson from Marah we grumbled about thirst again (Exodus 17:1-3). 
  
• We grumbled about the enemies we faced (Deuteronomy 1:26-27). As a result we lost an opportunity to enter and possess the land of Milk and Honey! (Psalm 106:25). 
  
• We can't even count the times we complained about our human leaders! (Numbers 12:1; 16:1-3; Joshua 9:18 etc.) 
  

     Grumbling and arguing always divides and weakens us. It demonstrates a lack of faith in God's good purpose for us or in His ability to accomplish His will. And without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). So grumbling becomes a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. We cry "I think something bad is going to happen" and we keep saying it over and over until God is displeased and our friends and allies can't take it anymore and we are left alone. Then just like we predicted, something bad happens! 

Usually the arguments are over debatable issues that are shikul ha da'at and thus essentially without resolution (2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9) 

Philippians 2:15 HCSB  so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.

Blameless, pure, faultless. Clearly, Paul didn't wear rosy glasses and always think warm fuzzy thoughts about human sinless perfection (Romans 3:23)! He certainly wasn't one to claim that he had achieved perfection either (Philippians 3:12). What he's talking about is two-fold. A) He's talking about the righteousness of the Lamb of God that can be credited to the account of those who believe in Him and submit to His rule (John 1:12; Hebrews 1:3; 9:26; 10:10, 14). B) He's talking about the ongoing effort motivated by a wholehearted, unmixed devotion to doing God's will out of a grateful and humbled heart (1 John 1:6-7; 2:1-6). 

Crooked and perverted generation. This is an apt description of the Lowlander culture! The Apostle Peter urges us, “Be saved from this corrupt generation” (Acts 2:40) Why?

They act corruptly toward God because they are not His children but a devious and crooked generation. In their foolishness and senselessness they are disloyal to their Father and Creator who both made and sustains them (Deuteronomy 32:5-6).

  And because they did not think it worthwhile to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, disputes, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful.  Although they know full well God's just sentence--that those who practice such things deserve to die--they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them (Romans 1:28-32).

They are dead in their trespasses and sins; walking according to this worldly age, according to the ruler of the atmospheric domain, the same spirit that works in the disobedient. They live in their fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of their flesh and thoughts. They are by nature under God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3). 

Their works are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. All those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). 

Shine like stars. God is often described in terms of light in the Scriptures (Psalm 119:105; John 1:4-5, 9; 2 Corinthians 4:6; James 1:17; 1 John 1:5). So are His ministers (Isaiah 49:6). Followers of Jesus are sometimes referred to as "children of light" (John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8). God's people are commanded to shine brightly (Mathew 5:14-16; Isaiah 58:10). So Paul was not describing an extraordinary thing or complimenting them by referring to them as stars, as the world does for actors and athletes. He was describing their true nature and calling them to act in accordance to that new nature. 

Philippians 2:16 HCSB  Hold firmly the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn't run in vain or labor for nothing.

Message of life. In Christ is life and light (John 1:4). Anyone who finds Him, submits to Him, finds eternal life (Matthew 10:39; 16:25-28; Mark 8:35-38) Those who get completely consumed by this world and its values will, regardless of their worldly success, lose their lives (Luke 16:19-23). The rich man was not in Gehenna because he was rich. He was there because he failed to heed the Scriptures (Luke 16:31). Lazarus had been left at his gate, covered with sores and dying of hunger, but the rich man could not so much as step outside and give him a loaf of bread. Dogs cared more for Lazarus than the rich man did! To heed the Gospel is to grasp life. To heed the Gospel is to be given such an abundance of life that we can offer it to others! We are to be like the four lepers who stumbled across the spoils left from the dead army and said 

• 2 Kings 7:9 HCSB  Then they said to each other, "We're not doing what is right. Today is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, we will be punished. Let's go tell the king's household."
  

We were all sinful lepers, starving and nearly naked without Christ. We were cut off from the source of life, without hope and without God. Jesus has offered us the riches of eternity! How dare we keep that to ourselves? 

I can boast in the day of Christ. We should want to be able to be proud of our work when we come before the Master and give an accounting of ourselves! 

• Matthew 25:20-23 HCSB  The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I've earned five more talents.' (21)  "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!' (22)  "Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I've earned two more talents.' (23)  "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!'
  

This is not sinful pride; the kind that rises up from a mistaken sense of self-accomplishment. This is a grateful acknowledgment of what God has wrought through His clay vessels! 

Notice that Paul does not boast in buildings, programs, or church income. If and when he boasts, he always boasts in either Christ (Romans 15:17; Galatians 6:14 cp Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:31) or he boasts in the people in whom he invested so much (cp 1 Thessalonians 2:19).

I didn't run in vain or labor for nothing. This should be the believer's constant concern. It is not enough to run the race - we must run it lawfully, according to the rules - or it was useless effort (1 Corinthians 9:24). Paul was able to say at the end of his life:

• 2 Timothy 4:7-8 HCSB  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (8)  In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.
  

Philippians 2:17 HCSB  But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

Poured out as a drink offering. (cp 2 Timothy 4:6) The offerings included in the Old Covenant Ritual Law all spoke of the work of Christ from different aspects. Among them were offerings of water or wine which were poured out on the altar in honor of God (2 Kings 16:13 or beer Numbers 28:7). The drink offering was a sacrifice of praise which spoke of the joy in the doing of God’s work and grateful acknowledgment of His blessing. 

Halakha dictated that drink offerings were not to be offered alone. Even Jacob’s drink offering, which preceded the giving of the Sinaitic Law, was offered with his entire family (Genesis 35:14 cp v.2, 6). So it's interesting that Paul is reaching out to the Philippians saying, I may be martyred but that's ok because it will be a sacrifice of praise and I want to share it with you. 

Drink offerings were to be offered in connection with the sweet-savor offerings (Numbers 15:1-13), especially the burnt offering and its accompanying meal offering. So Paul was saying that faith in the Lord and lives of service are the sacrifices that God now expects of us. 

The sacrifice and service of your faith. The sacrifice of your prejudices, your friendships, your honors, your possessions. The service of your devotedness, your liberality and godliness 

I am glad and rejoice with all of you. Listen to Paul's consistent message over a period of seventeen years:
AD 50 

• 1 Thessalonians 2:8 HCSB  We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 

AD 56 

• 2 Corinthians 7:3-5 HCSB  I don't say this to condemn you, for I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.  (4)  I have great confidence in you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement; I am overcome with joy in all our afflictions.  (5)  In fact, when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest. Instead, we were afflicted in every way: struggles on the outside, fears inside.
  
• 2 Corinthians 12:15 HCSB  I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
  

AD 62 

• Philippians 1:20 HCSB  My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
  

AD 62-64 

• Colossians 1:24 HCSB  Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for His body, that is, the church.

AD 67 From the Mamertine prison in Rome, just prior to his beheading, Paul writes 

• 2 Timothy 4:6-8 HCSB  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.  (7)  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (8)  In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.

Philippians 2:18 HCSB  In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

In the same way. Paul did not hesitate to call on people to critically watch his life and imitate his behavior. He could do this because he was completely dedicated to following and imitating Christ. 

• 1 Corinthians 11:1 HCSB  Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.

We are to imitate our spiritual leaders in their responsibility, and sacrificial ministry. 

• 2 Thessalonians 3:7 HCSB For you yourselves know how you must imitate us: we were not irresponsible among you;
  

We are to keep in mind their teaching and imitate their faith, even when their lives are ended by persecution. 

• Hebrews 13:7 HCSB  Remember your leaders who have spoken God's word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.
  

However, we must keep in mind that they are humans and can sin. 

• 3 John 1:11 HCSB  Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
  

Ultimately, the one we are following is Christ - not the humans. We are simply using them to try to figure out what living like Christ looks like in the real, nitty gritty world. If our human leaders diverge from Christ, we should follow the Great Shepherd, not the under-shepherds. 

You should rejoice.
This is a constant refrain throughout this book: 

• Philippians 3:1 HCSB  Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a protection for you. 
  
• Philippians 4:4 HCSB  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
  

If Christians who have their sins forgiven, a secured home in heaven waiting, and daily fellowship with the Spirit, can't rejoice - who can? 

At this point in the letter, Paul took a break. You can see a distinct difference in verses 19-30. In 1:27-2:18 Paul taught through various direct commands and he will return to that style at 3:1 and will continue through 4:8. However, he takes a few moments away from theology to deal with people. He gets a little newsy. But Paul being Paul, he uses even these two fine young men (Timothy and Epaphroditus) to set a good example for his Philippian charges. 

Philippians 2:19 HCSB  Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I also may be encouraged when I hear news about you.

Now I hope. Hope is an incredibly powerful force. It can make the difference between surviving and dying. It can drive people to amazing feats. It can restore a nation's economy. Like the tree in the image, growing in the shallow depression of solid rock, hope can keep folks going in the most unlikely scenarios. Our hope is not vague but is instead very precise. We have a hope of a future resurrection. 

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13 HCSB We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
  

The more solid the foundation of the hope the more powerful it is. Our hope is sure. 

• Hebrews 6:17-19 HCSB  Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath,  (18)  so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.  (19)  We have this hope--like a sure and firm anchor of the soul--that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
  

Our hope is in Jesus Christ's ability to not only forgive our sins but to resurrect us. And why is our hope in Him so sure? He's already proven that He can fulfill His promise by rising from the dead before many reliable witnesses. 

• 1 John 1:1-4 HCSB  What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed, and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life--  (2)  that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us--  (3)  what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may have fellowship along with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  (4)  We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
  

Paul did not entertain some vague, ephemeral hope. His hope was more like anticipation of a done deal. 

• Philippians 1:25 HCSB  Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your advancement and joy in the faith,
• Philemon 1:22 HCSB  But meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

How could he be so certain? He was able to rely not on his own understanding but on the revealed will of God. Like Jesus who only spoke as the Father directed, Paul had learned the same lesson that James had:

• James 4:15 HCSB  Instead, you should say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."
  

Send Timothy. Remember Timothy was writing this with Paul (1:1; Romans 16:21; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:8-9; 1 Corinthians 16:10). 

Philippians 2:20-21 HCSB  For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests;  (21)  all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

No one...all. The terms he uses are not to be considered universal but to reflect all whom the apostle could or could not commend for the mission. Paul wasn't talking about EVERYONE but about those who were immediately available for his ongoing mission. Luke had always been faithful and Paul had nothing but good to say about Epaphroditus as we'll see soon. However, finding faithful, courageous, qualified co-workers was a perennial problem. 

• 2 Timothy 4:9-11 HCSB  Make every effort to come to me soon,  (10)  for Demas has deserted me, because he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.  (11)  Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.
  

No one else. The implied statement is "no one else like Timothy." Timothy was an excellent example of what Paul was talking about back in v. 4. 

• Philippians 2:4 HCSB  Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
  

Remember Paul didn't have a problem bluntly addressing people's problems, so having him give Timothy such a compliment was high praise indeed, particularly for one so young!

The Philippians would have likely responded well to Timothy's mindset, since they too had stood by Paul when everyone else had left him. 

• Philippians 4:15 HCSB  And you, Philippians, know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.
  

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul declared Timothy to be unique in that he genuinely cared about the Philippians' interests; and he was able to balance caring for his needs with the needs of others. These two elements are necessary both for one's personal spiritual development and for the health and dynamism of the local congregation. 

Philippians 2:22-24 HCSB  But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.  (23)  Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.  (24)  And I am convinced in the Lord that I myself will also come quickly.

Proven character. The NET renders this "his qualifications." There is no higher qualification for a Christian than to have proven character, tested on the field of battle called ministry. There's a reason that the qualifications of leadership found in 1 Timothy 3, 1 Peter 5 and Titus 1 all have to do with character. There's nothing about degrees or education or seminary training. God asks you to be courageously honest (2 Timothy 4:2), faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2) and obedient (1 Timothy 3:2, 8-9; Titus 1:6). 

It takes time to prove this. That's why the Bible advises, "Don't be too quick to lay hands on anyone..." (1 Timothy 5:22) 

Like a son with a father. It is a sad statement that for many people today this means nothing. Modern society allows sons to lay around all day playing video games and doing nothing to help their parents. These foppish, whiny, effeminate trolls are lazy, surly and completely self-centered. Ask them to take out the garbage and even if they obey they make you miserable for even asking! No. This was not the kind of son that Paul was referring to. He was talking about a son like Jesus who said doing his Father's will was better than food and drink! 

• John 4:34 HCSB  "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work," Jesus told them.
  

We're talking about a Son who chose to have as friends and family those who would care about His Father as He did!

• Matthew 12:50 HCSB  For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, that person is My brother and sister and mother."
  

Such a Son can be fully trusted by His Father and given important tasks!

• Luke 10:22 HCSB  All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal Him."
  

This is the context of verse 22. "You know Timothy's character. He's proven himself to be that kind of son. He's demonstrated his trustworthiness and his ability to take on such an important mission."

Philippians 2:25-26 HCSB  But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus--my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need--  (26)  since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick.

I considered it necessary to send.` Paul knew that people come before ministry activity. Though he was perfectly willing to subject himself to every kind of trial and deprivation, he made sure he took care of his team mates. Epaphroditus had been physically ill and was now emotionally distressed. The good folks at Philippi had heard he might have died and were worried about him. So Paul sent his good friend and co-worker away, at great personal cost no doubt, so that the people he loved were all right. Paul understood the implications of Jesus' teaching. 

• Matthew 5:23-24 HCSB  So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, (24)  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
  

The Lord said that people come before even worship at the altar in the very Temple! People must come before ministry activity. The Pharisees forgot this. 

• Matthew 23:23 HCSB (see also Luke 11:42)  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.
  

It's not that Jesus advocated going against Halakha. It's not that Jesus opposed the paying of tithe. It that God expects life to trump our rituals. He expects compassion and justice to prevail, even if it means sometimes not following the letter of the law.

It's like when Ahimelech the priest gave David the shew bread, something that was normally forbidden to the laity (1 Samuel 21:3, 6). Life trumped the letter of the law. People don't come before God, but they do come before religion. Don't believe me? Listen to Jesus then...

• Mark 2:25-28 HCSB  He said to them, "Have you never read what David and those who were with him did when he was in need and hungry-- (26)  how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest and ate the sacred bread--which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests--and also gave some to his companions?" (27)  Then He told them, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. (28)  Therefore the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
  

Another issue that we must consider at this point is the apparent change in focus of Paul's letter. Here he is, extolling deep theology, when suddenly he's talking about Timothy and Epaphroditus. He moves from talking about Christ's servant leadership and then switches into something of a discussion on travel plans and logistical issues. Why? 

First, I think that Paul was thinking about Christ's servant leadership and he had two young men to illustrate what that looked like in day-to-day living. It's one thing to hear of how God does things; it's another to see it worked out in human flesh. That's why the Apostle said, 

• 1 Corinthians 11:1 HCSB  Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.
  

and...

• 1 Corinthians 4:16 HCSB  Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me.
  

I'm convinced this is the primary reason because the very next verse in 1 Corinthians reads,

• 1 Corinthians 4:17 HCSB  This is why I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
  

However, there may be another principle we may derive; another derash we may find. The Philippians sustained Paul materially. They were co-laborers with him in his endeavors to spread the Gospel throughout Europe. He was accountable to them. They may have been expecting him to come to them personally and might have been surprised to see Timothy and Epaphroditus instead. So Paul had some explaining to do. He lets them know that Timothy is only a temporary substitute for Paul (v.24). 

I think it would be relevant to see that even though he was the "great apostle Paul" who brought the Gospel to the goyim and wrote most of the New Testament - he still held himself accountable to this church and answered their reasonable questions. All ministry leaders should look at this and take note. Don't get too big for your britches and come to think that you don't answer to Hashem's congregation. 

Epaphroditus. He had been sent to Paul with a gift from the Philippian believers (4:18). He was more than just a delivery boy. It was more like a short-term mission because he stayed with Paul and worked with him. Unfortunately he became gravely ill but characteristically he was more concerned that his brothers and sisters would worry because they heard of his illness. Apparently Paul was too because he was glad to send his friend Epaphroditus back with the good news of his recovery (2.28). 

Co-worker. Epaphroditus was thus privileged to be ranked with a very few people including:

• Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3)
  
• Urbanus (Romans 16:9)
  
• Timothy (Romans 16:21; 1 Thessalonians 3:2)
  
• Titus (2 Corinthians 8:23)
  
• Clement (Philippians 4:3)
  
• Aristarchus, Mark, Barnabas and Jesus who was called Justus (Colossians 4:10-11)
  
• Philemon (Philemon 1:1) 
  
• Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke (Philemon 1:24)
  

Think of how many people Paul worked with over the decades of his ministry. Yet in all those years, only 15 are named as "co-workers" and Epaphroditus was one of them. 

Fellow soldier. Again, there were only two others who gained such a complimentary title: 
Timothy

• 2 Timothy 2:3-4 HCSB  Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  (4)  To please the recruiter, no one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of everyday life.
  

And Archippus

• Philemon 1:2 HCSB  to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.
  

Messenger and minister. What Epaphroditus did for the Philippians and Paul, we are to do for God and the world. God has both a message of hope and practical gifts of service to offer to the world. As Epaphroditus was willing to sacrifice everything, even his own well-being, in order to faithfully bring that message, so should we be equally committed. We are to bring those to the world, regardless of the personal consequences. 

He was distressed because you heard he was sick. As Epaphroditus remained concerned about the concerns of those who sent him, so we too should cultivate a constant awareness of and empathy for the Lord's feelings on any given matter. After all, as Epaphroditus was the Philippians' messenger, so we are Hashem's messengers. 
 

Philippians 2:27 HCSB  Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have one grief on top of another.

So sick. This just goes to show that the miraculous power of healing was not unlimited - else Paul would have healed Epaphroditus as he had healed many others. But healing must be directed by the Holy Spirit, not by the will of man, and does not seem to be generally done for the relief of the saints as much as it is for the conviction of Lowlanders. 

That he nearly died. Like Paul (cf Philippians 1:21-26) Epaphroditus was willing to even set aside his own life if that would advance the kingdom of God. In this these two men were like the Messiah (Philippians 2:8) and were obedient to Him (Matthew 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33; John 12:25). 

God had mercy. Sometimes God allows our sick to be healed. When He does we need to recognize that it is truly a mercy and not something that we deserve. If we fail to understand that, on the occasions when He chooses not to, we can become full of bitterness. It is possible for grief to sour in such a way that it soils our spirit and gives the Devil a foothold in our minds. We need to ever mindful that any good thing that we receive is out of God's mercy and is not our due. 

Philippians 2:28-30 HCSB For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious.  (29)  Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor,  (30)  because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

I am very eager to send him. Remember that Epaphroditus was helping Paul; was serving Paul. Paul was under arrest and, according to Roman custom, would not be fed unless someone from outside brought it to him. 

Furthermore, Paul was very likely nearly blind. Paul speaks frequently of problems with his eyes. In fact, he usually dictated his letters to others, only signing his name at the end, or writing a very brief greeting in rather large letters (1 Corinthians 16:21 cp Colossians 4:18 and 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Galatians 4:13-15; 6:11). It is also interesting that Paul mentions his "bodily illness" (Galatians 4:13) and "bodily condition" (Galatians 4:14), and then immediately says to the Galatian brethren, "I bear you witness, that if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me" (Galatians 4:15). 

There was an eye disease that was quite common in the Middle East referred to as Egyptian Opthalmia. We know it better today as trachoma. We know that Paul had been in the Arabian desert for three years (Galatians 1:17), a region notorious for the prevalence of this contagious affliction. We also know that he spent a lot of time in unhygienic conditions in various Roman prisons. At one point the prison he stayed in was basically a sewage line! Some feel this may explain why Luke (a physician) is often found in the company of Paul. Three times Paul sought relief from God, and also (coincidentally?) we read of three times where Luke joined Paul. It is speculated Luke may have appeared during three particularly painful outbreaks of this affliction. 

It is my own personal conviction that this affliction of the eyes was most likely Paul's "thorn in the flesh," although one must hasten to confess, given the lack of any actual specifics in Scripture, that we will likely never know for sure, at least not in this life. 

So for Paul to send Epaphroditus away was a personal sacrifice that cut deep. For him to say that he was "eager" to do so for their sake indicates the depth of his love for the Philippians and for Epaphroditus. It speaks to the necessity of God's ministers to put the needs of their people ahead of their own!

So...that I may be less anxious. There are legitimate cares that come with loving others and serving in ministry. There's a difference between worry which is forbidden (Matthew 6:25-34 cp Philippians 4:6) and being concerned that people do the right thing. 

• 2 Corinthians 11:28-29 HCSB  Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches.  (29)  Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
  

This is part and parcel with obeying the apostle's command to:

• Romans 12:15 HCSB  Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
  

This type of righteous anxiety is balanced and tempered by faith so that:

• 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 HCSB  We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;  (9)  we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.
  

Therefore welcome him. You'd think there'd be no question that that would be the case, but Paul wanted to be sure that Epaphroditus would get the hero's welcome he was due. Humans are fickle creatures and we often fail to reward those who labor for the common good appropriately. 

Years ago a missionary couple, after serving for thirty years in the African interior, were forced to leave Africa and return to the States for health reasons. They took a ship and after a couple weeks they arrived in the US. As the ship was being moored, there were hundreds of people standing onshore, cheering and waving their hats. There were banners that said "Welcome Home" and confetti was being thrown everywhere. The missionary couple was thrilled and awed to receive such a welcome. But to their dismay they discovered that the welcome was not for them. It was for a movie star who'd been on holiday in Africa, hunting big game. For the stalwart missionaries who'd devoted half their lives to serving the African people...there was not a single person waiting for them. 

We need to ensure that OUR culture is different. We need to have different values from the world. We need to value those who have labored long and suffered much for the Lord. We need to care less for the young, beautiful, primped and talented and more for the faithful, loyal and diligent servants. 

Hold men like him in honor. 

• 1 Corinthians 16:18 HCSB  For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.
  
• 1 Timothy 5:17 HCSB  The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
  

Adonaists
Value                                               Devalue
Those who refresh                           Those who drain, mooch, use or abuse
Good leaders                                   Passive or divisive folks
Diligence                                          Laziness
Solid preaching and teaching           Fluff

Make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

• 1 Corinthians 16:17 HCSB  I am delighted over the presence of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because these men have made up for your absence.
  

Paul made no bones about the responsibility of the Talmidim to provide for ministry in a regular and disciplined manner. 

• 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 HCSB Now about the collection for the saints: you should do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches.  (2)  On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save to the extent that he prospers, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.
  

Jesus also made sure to point out and commend those who gave sacrificially to the ministry.

• Luke 21:1-4 HCSB  He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.  (2)  He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.  (3)  "I tell you the truth," He said. "This poor widow has put in more than all of them. (4)  For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on."
  

We each need to make sure that we honor God with our tithes and offerings, demonstrating with our wallets that He takes first place in ALL areas of our lives. And when we cannot be present, like the Philippians we need to take steps to make sure that God's ministry does not suffer because of our absence. 

Philippians 3:1 HCSB  Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a protection for you.  

Finally. Obviously this is not the end of the letter, so what he's implying is the conclusion to a thought process. As we saw before (2:28-3:2) he'd been discussing honoring good and godly ministers and putting our money where our mouth is. Here he's going to contrast that with the negative aspect. Who should we disrespect? Who should receive none of our honor, respect or resources?

Rejoice in the Lord. This is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 12:7, 18; 14:26; 16:11; 26:11; 27:7; 1 Samuel 2:1; Psalm 32:11; 33:1; 35:9; 40:16; 64:10; 104:34; Isaiah 25:9; 29:19; 41:16; 44:23; 61:10; Joel 2:23; Habakkuk 3:18; Zechariah 10:7; Philippians 3:1; 4:4). Something that is repeated so often should be carefully considered. It may be a central, core issue. If we are lacking in spiritual power or in moral impact, either as individuals or as a congregation - maybe it's because we are not rejoicing in the Lord enough. We keep waiting around for our circumstances to warrant happiness. Notice, however, that the command is to rejoice "in the Lord". 

To write to you again. Apparently this was either not the first letter to the Philippians or he's referring to an oral conversation he'd had while with them. What's interesting is WHY he's discussing the matter again. 

Is a protection for you. Wherever danger lies, repeated warnings are warranted. 

Philippians 3:2 HCSB  Watch out for "dogs," watch out for evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Watch out.  The picture is a logo from a game company, but bad theology and cultic mentality is no game. When we deal with issues of the soul and spirit we are dealing with life and death! Having the wrong ideas about the God, Life and the Universe is like to two guys holding an umbrella, hoping it will protect them from JDAM!

King Solomon warned, 

• Proverbs 4:23 HCSB  Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
  

The word here translated as "heart" is the Hebrew word "leb" and means "the inner man, the mind, the will, the heart or core of a person, their fundamental understanding of how the world works." 

Interestingly, Jesus also told us to "watch out" and the warning was about the same type of issues as Paul! Jesus said, 
Watch out for false teachers and false teachings. 

• Matthew 16:6 cp Mark 8:15 HCSB  Then Jesus told them, "Watch out and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
  
• Matthew 16:12 HCSB  Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the yeast in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
  

Watch out for false messiahs who come with signs and wonders. 

• Matthew 24:4-5 cp Mark 13:5 and Luke 21:8 HCSB  Then Jesus replied to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. (5)  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Messiah,' and they will deceive many.
  

Watch out for the Lowlander, "under the sun", materialistic philosophy. 

• Luke 12:15 HCSB  He then told them, "Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one's life is not in the abundance of his possessions."
  

Paul also warned:
Watch out for trouble makers who look for personal advancement and glory. 

• Romans 16:17-18 HCSB  Now I implore you, brothers, watch out for those who cause dissensions and pitfalls contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them;  (18)  for such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

Notice again that the underlying problem is the Lowlander philosophy. 

1. "It must be good because it feels good." 
   
2. "It must be good because I'm being rewarded."
   
3. "It must be good because I'm being praised."
   
4. "It must be good because I'm popular." 
   

Watch out for ingratitude for your fellow man. 

• Galatians 5:14-15 HCSB  For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (15)  But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
  

Watch out for lack of faith and negativity. 

• Hebrews 3:12-13 HCSB  Watch out, brothers, so that there won't be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God.  (13)  But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin's deception.

Dogs. It's odd. I count about thirty eight biblical references to or allusions to dogs and I cannot find anything positive. The Bible doesn't have a single nice thing to say about dogs - neither in the Old or the New Covenant. 

• They are snarling beasts (Exodus 11:7)
  
• Unholy and dead things belong to them. (Exodus 22:31)
  
• They're prowling, scavenging, creatures of the night that growl when unsatisfied. (Psalm 59:14-15)
  
• To act like a dog is to be separated from the great army of God. (Judges 7:5)
  
• They are not fearsome, but things to be reviled. (1 Samuel 17:43 cp 2 Samuel 3:8; 16:9)
  
• They are beneath notice, part and parcel with the fleas they bear. (1 Samuel 24:14)
  

Jesus also used the expression, though somewhat more politely (Matthew 15:26).  I could go on but you get the gist. For a complete list, look "dogs" up in the Quick Reference I wrote for you. Whenever a Jew said this, it was usually an expression of contempt for a Goy, a non-Jew.  So for Paul to refer to these people as "dogs" it was the worst possible insult. People got killed for such insults. Paul had to be pretty serious about the warning and was trying to grab their attention. The difference between the Gospel he was preaching and the worldly philosophy they advocated was more than just semantics. It was radical enough to warrant the slur - "dog". 

However, Paul turns the expression around, and flings it back at the Judaizers who were endeavoring to impose upon the young believers the necessity of accepting the rite of circumcision. 

Evil workers. David cried out, 

• Psalms 119:115 HCSB  Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God's commands.
  

We need to separate ourselves from those who would hinder our obedience. Jesus taught, 

• Matthew 7:22-23 HCSB  On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?' (23)  Then I will announce to them, 'I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!'
  

We need to watch out for those who are satisfied with a surface religion that doesn't lead to obedience. Notice that they have a very flashy type of religion but that it's all external and showy. Paul warned, 

• 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 HCSB  ...such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  (14)  And no wonder! For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light.  (15)  So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.
  

It's not about having the fastest growing church in the county. It's not about speaking in tongues and having fire come down from heaven. It's not about visions and prophesies and demonic exorcisms. It's about humble, faithful obedience and loving our neighbor as ourselves. One of the scariest words in all the Bible are the last eight in that passage: "Their destiny will be according to their works."  

Mutilate the flesh. This is an untranslatable play on words which positively drips sarcasm. These people were saying that in order to be saved, in order to be a part of God's chosen people, a nation of royal priests, you had to be circumcised. Again with the externals! These false prophets call out, "Take a brief bit of pain and you too can go to heaven, regardless of your sinful lifestyle!"

This was likely the same issue that had provoked a major crisis in Galatia. In both churches the trouble had been caused by those who insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation. There is a difference between the two situations, though. In Galatia, the pressure seems to have taken the form of a threat of persecution from the local synagogue. Here the pressure seems to be more along the lines of a subtle lashon hara.  

Against this the Apostle Paul replies, 

• Romans 2:28-29 HCSB  For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh.  (29)  On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart--by the Spirit, not the letter. His praise is not from men but from God.
• Galatians 5:3-4 HCSB  Again I testify to every man who gets circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law.  (4)  You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace!
  

We can sit here is self-satisfied complacency, thinking that none of us here "mutilate the flesh." None of us here think that circumcision is required for salvation - do we? Yet how many of us think that church attendance will guarantee us heaven? How many of us think that abstaining from some type of food like alcohol will guarantee acceptance by God? How many of us measure our relationship with God by the good circumstances we do or do not enjoy? Any of these kinds of things are just substitutions for circumcision. They're just another form of works. Going forward at the end of a church meeting and making a profession of faith doesn't necessarily save you. Getting baptized doesn't necessarily save you. Church membership doesn't save you. Tithes and Offerings will not add one whit to the measure of your entry into heaven! 

With all the warnings you've received you need to make sure of one last warning. One last caution but probably the most critical caution of all.  

Watch out that you don't try to be your own savior. There is only one God/Man and it isn't you. 

• 1 Timothy 2:5-6 HCSB  For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a man, Christ Jesus,  (6)  who gave Himself--a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.
  
• Acts 4:12 HCSB  There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved."
  

Philippians 3:3 HCSB  For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh -

We are the circumcision. The Hebrew Judaizers were likely outraged. You can almost hear their taunts to this day: "You do not circumcise. You have no Temple and no sacrifices. You have no religious tradition upon which you can lean and find comfort." To them Paul replies , "We are the true circumcision, and we have all those things which give you so much pride - just not in the same sense that you understand them. We have come to realize that external religion that has not become internal relationship is useless." 

• Colossians 2:11 HCSB  In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of the Messiah.
  
• 1 Peter 2:4-5 HCSB  Coming to Him, a living stone--rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God--  (5)  you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
  
• 1 Peter 2:9-10 HCSB  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.  (10)  Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
  

Do not put confidence in the flesh. We don't think that bowing and kneeling, fasting and blowing trumpets before our alms are given are of any use at all. Those are all broken reeds, flopping uselessly in the slightest breeze. 

Philippians 3:4 HCSB  although I once had confidence in the flesh too. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more. Had any goyish disciple said this, the Hebrew Judaizers would likely have considered the answer evasive, as if, lacking the advantages of Judaism, the Christians were reduced to pretending that they possessed the equivalent. But in Paul's mouth the argument was formidable. No one was more qualified than he to use this argument.  

Philippians 3:5-6 HCSB  circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;  (6)  as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.
Circumcised on the eighth day - the regular time for this ceremony (cp Luke 1:59), without which no male could be regarded as a member of the Jewish people. 

Israelite by birth - meaning both his parents were Jewish.

Of the tribe of Benjamin -  There is some evidence that there was a certain cachet, a social perception of exceptional purity that was ascribed to this tribe. 

A Hebrew born of Hebrews -  the word "Hebrew" may be slightly more specific than the more common "Jew". One could be a convert and be considered a Jew, regardless of one's genetic origin. But being a "Hebrew born of Hebrews" probably meant that his family came from the Holy Land. There is an early tradition that Paul's parents had moved to Tarsus from Gischala in Galilee. If you want to look the place up, you can also use the name Jish or Gush Halav which are different names from different languages for the same place.
That was all well and good for his ancestry, but as we all can clearly see from the long genealogies in the Bible, sometimes good fathers produce bad sons. What was Paul's character? Here again, at least from a Jewish point of view, Paul was unassailable. 

As to the law, a Pharisee. Pharisees considered no part of the Law outmoded, errant or questionable. They believed that all of it was manifestly practical and applicable and they went to great lengths to make sure their lives were conformed to its detailed strictures. 

As to zeal, persecuting the church. He ruthlessly opposed any apparent deviation from orthodoxy. He apparently oversaw the murder of the very first Christian martyr, found it to his liking and went out looking for more. 

• Acts 8:1-3 HCSB  Saul agreed with putting him (Stephen) to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.  (2)  But devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.  (3)  Saul, however, was ravaging the church, and he would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.
  
• Acts 9:1-2 HCSB  Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest  (2)  and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, either men or women, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
  

    There is simply no way that any Jew could look at Paul and question his integrity or his zeal for God. 

As to the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. None of Paul's many enemies ever came up with some kind of accusation of having broken the law. Think about it - even his mortal enemies, who plotted his death and were willing to lie about him to get him imprisoned and executed by the Romans - even they couldn't come up with a credible accusation in regards to the law against him. 

So Paul could meet his opponents on their own ground. In fact he could beat them on their own turf. In regards to "Jewishness" he was willing and able to stand in comparison to any sabra (native Israeli). This is a point that he was not hesitant in exploiting to the fullest measure whenever he could see it being used to an advantage. Yet in spite of all this, he was also capable of behaving, when surrounded by Gentile believers, in such a way that they were not offended or put off by him (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). This adaptability was remarkably "non-Jewish". The rest of the early Church (largely Jewish at first) struggled with accepting Gentile converts. Peter himself swung from not tolerating Gentiles at all (Acts 10:9-17, 28) to acting hypocritically (Galatians 2:11-14). Paul's adaptability may have caused his opponents to ask whether or not he was going to continue calling himself a Jew. In fact, his Christian friends, upon hearing this litany, may have wondered whether or not, in spite of all his talk of not putting confidence in the flesh, Paul was still trying to rely on his parentage, his circumcision, or his training. To these Paul answered unequivocally as follows in verse 7.
  

Philippians 3:7 HCSB  But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.

Everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss. What was it that was of such overwhelming value that Paul was ready to write everything that he had loved and worked so hard for up to that day on the road to Damascus? What was so important that he was willing to set aside what up to that time he had considered to be the salvation of his soul?
 
It wasn't Christianity. Christianity is a religion. It is a system of beliefs which could be held in addition to his reliance on externals. Many people still do that now. Replacing one religion where he ruled, was successful and applauded, with another one that seemed to be universally disdained and was a sure path toward a horrible death doesn't seem to be the answer. It was Christ.
 
Because of Christ. It was a person. Now THAT is a motivation honorable people can understand. We have all seen mothers do extraordinary things for their children. We have seen husbands and father run into burning buildings for their families. Soldiers don't fight for their nation. That's too disembodies and esoteric a cause. They fight for their hooch mate. They fight for their fire team. They fight for the guy next to them. We are social creatures. God built us to be social creatures. He didn't send us a new set of rules. He didn't send us a philosophy. He didn't send us yet another religion (as if the world needed more of those!). He sent us His SON! 

To this day we still do not put our confidence in ANY flesh. Not even the apostles. Didn't Paul warn, 

• 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 HCSB  What I am saying is this: each of you says, "I'm with Paul," or "I'm with Apollos," or "I'm with Cephas," or "I'm with Christ."  (13)  Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul's name?
  
• 1 Corinthians 3:3-7 HCSB  ...you are still fleshly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and living like ordinary people?  (4)  For whenever someone says, "I'm with Paul," and another, "I'm with Apollos," are you not typical men?  (5)  So, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given.  (6)  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  (7)  So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
  

    We are willing to enjoy in the benefits of each other's unique spiritual gifts and talents but our primary confidence is in the Lord Jesus the Messiah. 

• No human - no flesh - can intercede on our behalf with God like He can. 
  
• No human - no flesh - can resurrect us. 
  
• No human - no flesh - can seal our names in the Book of Life and assure us a place in Heaven. 
  

   Christ is all we have before our eyes. He is our vision. He is what we value. He is the pearl of great value for which we are willing to trade everything else. The Messiah is our mission. Spreading the good news of His kingdom; of His willingness to offer amnesty to rebels and hope of a future resurrection is our purpose in life. We live Christ and we are willing to die for Christ. 

Philippians 3:8 HCSB  More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ.

More than that. You would be hard pressed to find a more forceful statement in Greek. The four Greek particles (alla menoun ge kai) introduce the very bold statements Paul makes in verse 8. 

I also consider. "Consider" means "to think through or reflect on." Paul looked at all his past accomplishments and on his genetic and social advantages; he carefully thought them through and came to the conclusion that they were a loss. He didn't just jump to this conclusion. It wasn't done in the heat of the moment. It wasn't arrived at with little thought. In this he was like Qoheleth who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. He too carefully considered all the advantages of human philosophy, creativity and the social benefits of wealth, fame and power. He came to the same conclusion: "hevel hevelim!" "Vanity of vanities!" 

Qoheleth examined the world from the point of view of "under the sun", meaning without taking God into account. Without God in the equation, all was vain, meaningless and a dreary bore. What was the point? Paul examined his religious life without Christ and found the same thing. Though all men praised him for his accomplishments, he turned away from the fame, wealth and power that were his for the taking and chose Christ. 

Our nation's founding fathers made the same trip and arrived at the same destination. It is said of Abraham, 

• Hebrews 11:8-10 HCSB  By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was going.  (9)  By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.  (10)  For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
  

And it is said of Moses that:

• Hebrews 11:24-27 HCSB  By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter  (25)  and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin.  (26)  For he considered reproach for the sake of the Messiah to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since his attention was on the reward.  (27)  By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king's anger, for he persevered, as one who sees Him who is invisible.
  

Everything. Paul doesn't just consider the things he listed in vv.5-6, but EVERYTHING to be a loss compared to Christ. Think about that. He includes, family, nation, honor, fame, comfort, safety, health...EVERYTHING to be a distant second to Jesus. 

In view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. He may have lost confidence in fleshly confidence, but it was a positive trade. He didn't feel like he'd lost something. He didn't feel demeaned or that he had sacrificed anything. What he formerly considered "gains" (kerdee in v. 7) he now considered "rubbish". The word he used could mean food scraps or manure! Not a very high value! 

Gain Christ. Nothing else really mattered to him any more. He realized that as much as he had valued Judaism, Jesus meant more. Why? It was because the Messiah, the Anointed One, was the POINT of Judaism and Hebrew people who set aside the Messiah, set aside the whole purpose of the Law and the Prophets. 

 

Philippians 3:9 HCSB  and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ--the righteousness from God based on faith.

Found in Him. Those who gain Christ are those who are found in Him. It is the only way to gain Christ. It cannot be done through our works. It cannot be done through intellectual assent to His existence. It cannot be done in any other way than by bowing the knee to His sovereign claims and to be accepted by Him into His family, into His nation, into His kingdom. 

This is what Paul goes on to say...
Not having a righteousness of my own. At this point in history, Paul was not placing his hope in any possibility of being declared righteous through the ritual observances of Halakhic Law. There had been a time for that but that time was now past. There had been a time when God had required a man to avoid eating from a particular tree. Later He required a man to build a ship. Later still He simply required a man to leave his home and head out for only God knows where, looking for a Promised Land. After that He formed us into a nation and required that we obey His laws. Now He required Humanity to follow His anointed Messiah and Paul understood that the times and changed and that God's progressive revelation had left the ritual aspects of the Law in the dust of history. To continue trying the old ways was useless. It would have been like offering God "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). 

Through faith in Christ. The only kind of righteousness that can save now is through (dia) faith in Christ. This is the only kind that is approved by God. It is...

The righteousness from God based on faith. Whereas the we are saved through (dia) faith, the righteousness is based on (epi) faith. When we respond positively to the enlightenment of the Spirit that God makes available to all freely, we are clothed in Jesus' perfect righteousness (Romans 3:24-26). We become "favored" and "in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). We no longer stand condemned as sinful rebels to our rightful King. Instead we stand righteous, pure and complete in Christ. 

Philippians 3:10-11 HCSB  My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,  (11)  assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

To know Him. This is the holy dissatisfaction that I keep trying to encourage each of you to feel. Cultural Christianity encourages you to be satisfied with salvation. In fact if a believer expresses a longing to know more of Christ they are often actively discouraged from becoming too fanatical in their faith. They are told to be simply be satisfied with salvation by grace through faith in Christ. 

But here we know that Paul knew Jesus as his Savior, yet he longed to know Jesus more and more as his Lord. Whereas Paul used the word gnoseos back in verse 8, here he uses the term gnomai which means knowledge gained by intimate experience as opposed to intellectual knowledge. It is knowledge of the heart as opposed to knowledge of the head of which Paul speaks. 

He was happy to have gained Christ, yet he wanted to know gain ever more of Christ. Newborn infants desire the unadulterated spiritual milk that leads to salvation (1 Peter 2:2). However salvation is one of the basic principles of revelation and at some point we all need to move beyond that to the solid food. 

• Hebrews 5:11-14 HCSB  We have a great deal to say about this, and it's difficult to explain, since you have become slow to understand.  (12)  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of God's revelation. You need milk, not solid food.  (13)  Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant.  (14)  But solid food is for the mature--for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.
  

To remain satisfied with salvation and not seek to constantly pursue a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Lord; to pursue an increasingly perfect obedience to His commands; is to not know true love for the Lord who said, 

• John 14:15 HCSB  "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
  
• John 14:21 HCSB  The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him."
  

If, like Paul, we want to know Jesus better and better, then we are going to have to long for it and we are going to have to let that longing drive us to better and more perfect obedience. It is to those who engage in this loving pursuit that the Beloved chooses to reveal Himself. 

The power of His resurrection. This was Paul's secondary goal. He wanted to know Jesus, but he also wanted to experience Jesus' resurrection power. The power which had brought the Messiah out of the grave, was now available to all those who by faith were "raised with Christ" (Colossians 3:1). The word Paul used was dynamis (as he did in Acts 1:8 and Romans 1:16) which means "the ability to overcome resistance." There is nothing wrong with wanting to experience that power and to see its miraculous, supernatural effects in our lives, the lives of others and working in the world. That power is the Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit gave Jesus birth in Mary's womb, so the Holy Spirit gave Jesus physical life again in the womb of the Earth. 

• Luke 1:35 HCSB  The angel replied to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
• Matthew 1:18 HCSB  The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 1:4 HCSB  and was established as the powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness.
  
• Romans 8:11 HCSB  And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you.
  

To long for the power of God is to long for the Spirit of God. The Son told us specifically what the Father's response would be if we asked Him for the gift of the Spirit. 

• Luke 11:11-13 HCSB  What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? (12)  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? (13)  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
  

But be warned, Paul also acknowledge the cost of such devotion. He spoke of...
The fellowship of His sufferings. Paul didn't mind paying this particular cost because in so doing he would become...

Conformed to His death. You may ask yourself, "Why would anyone want to be conformed to Jesus' crucifixion?" Think about it. What about the end of the story? Sure, Jesus suffered and died. But Jesus was also raised in power and glory, ascended to heaven and now reigns from on high. Wouldn't you like to be conformed to THAT part of Jesus' death too? 
Paul wasn't saying that his personal sufferings could have the same salvific effect that Jesus' did. Our sufferings will never have the same substitutionary effect as the "only Mediator between God and Man." That simply cannot be shared. However, we can better emulate the Master when we also suffer for the sake of righteousness (cf. Philippians 1:29). God had warned Paul through Ananias that he would particularly suffer for Him (Acts 9:16) and we see that that prophecy came about largely because of Paul's dutiful ministry (Romans 8:36; 2 Corinthians 4:10). However, do not think that Paul was peculiar in this regard, all Christians are called to the same type of ministry. 

• 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7 HCSB  It is a clear evidence of God's righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering,  (6)  since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,  (7)  and to reward with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels,
  
• 2 Timothy 1:8 HCSB  So don't be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God,
  
• 2 Timothy 2:3 HCSB  Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.James 5:10 HCSB  Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name as an example of suffering and patience.
  
• 1 Peter 4:13-14 HCSB  Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.  (14)  If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
  
• 1 Peter 5:8-9 HCSB  Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.  (9)  Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your brothers in the world.
  

This is the other calling, the darker half of which Cultural Christianity never speaks. We are called to emulate Jesus, to be disciples of a Master who took on the sin and suffering of the world and was willing to die for that noble cause. How could we ever expect anything different? 

Philippians 3:12 HCSB  Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Not that I have already reached the goal. It would be very easy to lionize the Apostle Paul. He was an intellectual giant. He was courageous beyond all comprehension. His passion for God and his willingness to sacrifice everything else for the sake of the Master is beyond parallel. Yet he wanted the Philippians to know that he had not yet achieved the goal that he had set for himself back in verse 10. Even this late in his life; years after his conversion and miles down the road of sanctification, he was still pressing on. He still had that sense of holy dissatisfaction with the depth of his relationship with Christ and with his own personal holiness.

Or am fully mature. How did Paul determine maturity?

a.    Jesus defined maturity as producing fruit (Luke 8:14); presumably the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9-10)

b.    Maturity is the ability to speak wisely of spiritual things with spiritual elders and leaders (1 Corinthians 2:6)

c.    Maturity is to possess unity in faith, knowledge of God’s son and measuring one’s self by Christ’s fullness. (Ephesians 4:13)

d.    Maturity is to humbly recognize one’s lack of maturity and never quitting the process of maturation. (Philippians 3:12, 15)

e.    Maturity is to work toward other people’s spiritual advancement – it is to reproduce Christ in others. (Colossians 1:28)

Paul adhered to the principle of intellectual and moral honesty found in…

• Romans 12:3 HCSB  For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.
  

Paul said he was not yet “FULLY mature.” He acknowledged that he had matured over the years, but recognized the need for continued growth. We must imitate this mindset of the Apostles (2 Thessalonians 3:7, 9; Hebrews 13:7; 3 John 1:11). We must never believe that we have achieved some degree of growth, some spiritual plateau from which we may not climb any higher. Need I remind you that we are trying to conform ourselves to the Son of the Living God? (Romans 8:29)

I make every effort. The Christian life is not a casual thing. It is not a comfortable and easy stroll. It is a constant push to be a little more like God. Like an athlete that struggles, strains, sweats and trains, just to shave off a millisecond from his or her time, we are to be daily trying to see what parts of our yetzer hara can be chipped off and what parts of our yetzer hatov we can improve.

To take hold of it. The image is one of a relay racer, straining to reach out for the baton of the runner before him. The metaphor of an athlete is used quite often in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; cf Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 12:1)

Taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Remember that it was Jesus who reached out and snatched Paul – literally knocking him off his high horse (Acts 9:3-6). Since then Paul reminded others again and again that we are to be a driven, committed people. Why?

• 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 HCSB  For Christ's love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: if One died for all, then all died.  (15)  And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.
  

Philippians 3:13 HCSB  Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,

I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. He allowed this philosophy to act as a driving force, an ultimate motivation, that helped him accept every suffering, every humiliation, starvation, imprisonment, nakedness and near-drowning (2 Corinthians 11:23-28), as yet one more chance to become more like the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) that was his Master. He agreed with James who said, 

• James 1:2-4 HCSB  Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,  (3)  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  (4)  But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
  

One thing I do. Paul knew how to focus his considerable intellect and prodigious energy on a single task. Far too few of us are like him in this. We are scatter-brained. We are like little children in the market place of the world, constantly enticed hither and yon by the latest shiny trinket. We begin well but we are unfortunately too prone to not ending well. 

• Galatians 3:3 HCSB  Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?
  
• Galatians 5:7 HCSB  You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?
  

Jesus showed us the way. He showed us how it should be done. 

• John 19:30 HCSB  When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
  

And once again, Paul leads us by example. At the end of his life, facing execution, he was able to say…

• 2 Timothy 4:6-8 HCSB  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.  (7)  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (8)  In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.
  

This should be our goal – to die well. Too many of us want to live well, and comfortably. We need to focus on the end. How do we want to die? Let’s let that drive us. 

Forgetting what is behind. He’s not saying to not think about ANYTHING from our past. This is, after all, the man who kept teaching us out of the Old Covenant and told us to stand firm and hold to the traditions we were taught (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Instead, he’s saying he’s not dwelling on what he’d done right and wrong. Those things no longer matter anyway; not in the sense that we can really do anything about them. What matters is – WHAT WILL WE DO FROM THIS POINT FORWARD? 

As he went on to say…

Reaching forward to what is ahead. What is ahead? What have the saints always reached forward to get? 

• We reach forward to God our Rewarder (Hebrews 11:6)
  
• Noah reached forward for God’s deliverance. (Hebrews 11:7)
  
• Abraham reached forward for an inheritance in the land of promise, a city whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)
  
• Moses was also looking for the reward he would receive from his Maker. (Hebrews 11:26)
  
• Most of all, all the saints were looking forward to personal perfection. (Hebrews 11:40). 
  

Philippians 3:14 HCSB  I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

I pursue. He did so vigorously and with concentration. 

The prize promised. Athletes receive ribbons, trophies, fame and cash. Our reward is so much better than all these trite and temporary gifts. It is no less that everlasting glory. 

• Romans 2:6-10 HCSB  He will repay each one according to his works:  (7)  eternal life to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;  (8)  but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth, but are obeying unrighteousness;  (9)  affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;  (10)  but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
  

By God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. We often use the terms Highlander and Lowlander to distinguish between true disciples and the careless, week devotees of Cultural Christianity. Paul’s language here lends itself to that type of concept. He uses the image of someone trudging in the mud and muck of the shadow of death, suddenly hearing a heavenly trumpet’s clarion call and, looking up from the earth he sees the light of heaven shining before him. It is Christ beckoning to a new identity – a new purpose. Do you think I’m reading too much into this phrase? Then listen to Paul speaking to the Ephesians about the “before and after” process of conversion:

• Ephesians 2:1 HCSB  And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
  
• Ephesians 2:3 HCSB  We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and by nature we were children under wrath, as the others were also.
  
• Ephesians 2:12 HCSB  At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, with no hope and without God in the world.
  

Thank God He didn’t leave us there!

• Ephesians 2:13 HCSB  But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.
  
• Ephesians 2:19 HCSB  So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household,
  

Let’s get this straight:

We were:                                                       We are:
Dead in our sins                                             Alive in the righteousness of Christ
Carrying out our sinful desires                       Living holy lives
Children under wrath                                     Beloved children of God
Without the Messiah                                      Brothers and sisters of the Messiah
Excluded from citizenship in Israel                 A chosen nation of royal priests
Foreigners to the covenants of promise        Heirs of the covenants
With no hope                                                 Sealed to the day of redemption
Without God                                                  Inseparable from God
Far                                                                 Brought near at great cost
Foreigners and strangers                              Fellow citizens and saints, members of God’s house

Philippians 3:15 HCSB  Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this to you also.  

All who are mature. The word is literally "perfect". Paul deliberately used the same root back in verse 12 to say that he hadn't yet achieved this exalted state. None of us are fully mature. All of us have some work yet to do. Yet mature thinking and behavior is required. It is one of our principle goals because achieving full maturation means we will be like Christ!

Should think this way. The language he uses here is one of "value". When we compare 2:1-22 and 3:15 we understand that he's telling us what mature Christians value; what their priorities are. 
A mark of spiritual maturity is to want to continue in our growth toward conformity to the example Jesus gave us. 

If you think differently...God will reveal this to you. We are allowed to have differences of opinion. 

• Romans 14:5 HCSB  One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind.
  

We are allowed to be different people with different temperaments and differing spiritual gifts. We have different missions in life entailing different approaches. Yet there is 

• Ephesians 4:4-6 HCSB  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope at your calling;  (5)  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
  

According to Paul, we are allowed to think differently in many different aspects but when it comes to our common desire to push forward to exalt the Messiah, advance His kingdom and become more like Him...if you think that's not a priority, the Father will soon tell you differently. Those who have not gotten very far in their spiritual walk may think differently, but as long as their spiritual maturation continues, they will soon change their minds. 

I would like to pause and point out that Paul demonstrates that there are definitely different levels of spiritual maturation and that this is inevitably tied to differing levels of understanding and knowledge. We know this to be true in every other area of our lives, yet many seem to want to believe that all religious opinions are equal. They want to think that though they have not yet obeyed all that they know and that they have not gotten very far in their personal spiritual disciplines, nevertheless their spiritual and theological opinions are as valid as the oldest, most obedient saint's. Paul and I are both here to tell you that that is not so. This is why Paul tells us to submit to our spiritual leaders. 

• Hebrews 13:17 HCSB  Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
  

Part of mature thinking is knowing that you are not yet fully mature, finding someone who is further down the road than you, and allowing them to help you get to where they are. Hopefully, they will be doing the same thing and so your process will never end. You will not outgrow them. If they skip this process, you will soon outgrow them. Don't worry about it. You're not responsible for them. Go find another spiritual leader and start working with them. 

Philippians 3:16 HCSB  In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.

Live up to. The phrase he uses here is a military term which means to walk in rank. We should see what our proper place is and discipline ourselves to walk in precisely the place we are to be, in the way we should, in tune and in time with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. 

We need to live up to what we already have in Christ. Unfortunately, too many of us are satisfied to live far below the exalted position that we have in the Lord, myself included. We are co-heirs with the Lord of the Universe, a nation of royal priests, yet I struggle with my attitudes and often with my level of language. I keep wanting to live down to the world's standards instead of bringing you and the rest of the world up to the Lord's standards. 

Whatever truth we have attained. You are not as responsible for what you do not yet know. You ARE responsible for what you DO know. We must obey what we have already learned so that God will teach us more. Some people are like sponges, soaking up esoteric knowledge from whatever source they can, whether that source is reliable or not. Yet it does not change their lives. Day after day they study Bible codes, numerology, the end of days and ancient prophecies. Yet they go on sinning. They go on being nasty narcissists. Paul says "No!" You must live and walk in an orderly manner. You must obey whatever truth you have attained. 

Philippians 3:17 HCSB  Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.

Join in imitating me.  In spite of his protestations that he was not "fully mature" Paul knew that he was ahead of the Philippians and was confident that imitating him would not harm them. He didn't want them to imitate every aspect of his life because he clearly stated that he was not sinless. It was in his relentless pursuit of conformity to Christ that he called them to apostolic imitation. 
He didn't claim to be the only one worthy of imitation though. He was not like modern gurus who try to tell you they are they only source of truth and wisdom so that they can share their books with you for the low price of $19.99. He went on to say, 

Observe those who live according to the example you have in us. Part of "living up to", walking in orderly rank, is keeping others who are walking properly in your sights. If you set your eyes on the doofus who is walking out of step, you will quickly be out of sync too! 
“Mimesis” is a Greek word meaning “to imitate.”  This imitation can be of words, actions, or behaviors of another individual or group. The word Paul uses here is related; it is the word "sumimatase" which literally means "imitator with others".  Paul recognizes that they imitation is mutual. I see what is Christlike in you and imitate that. You see what is Christlike in me and imitate that. We are forming each other. We are drawing Christ into each other's lives. That is the process we will be following until Jesus finally returns and on that glorious day, "we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is, and everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure." (1 John 3:2-3)