Many Christians have a fellow believer that they really look up to as someone whose strong faith and godly life they admire, and would seek to model. I knew someone whose faith and walk with the Lord was something I wanted to strive to be like. They have since gone home to be with the Lord, but if I could be half the Christian they were, that would be something. In our Scripture for today the Apostle Paul instructs the Philippian church to be careful of who they follow the example of. Let’s look into our passage to see what we can learn.
As our Scripture begins, the Apostle Paul tells the Philippians that they should be careful of who they are following the example of, and gives himself for an example to follow (vs. 17). Paul didn’t believe that he was perfect. None of us are. However, Paul knew that each day he strived and focused to follow Jesus in his own life, and to obey His Word. Paul was a model for pursuing the goal of Christ-likeness. Having a godly example to copy is very helpful for us to grow as a believer, and lead a better life.
As Paul continues, he warns the Philippians, though, that not everyone is good to set up as an example to follow (vs. 18-19). As Paul warns, there are some people who are enemies of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Some of them were right there in the church congregation in Philippi. The same is true today, as there are enemies of the Cross of Jesus in many of our churches, too.
Who are these people that Paul is warning that we should be on the lookout to avoid? They are people who claim to be Christians, but don’t live up to His model, and don’t even make any attempt to. They seek to satisfy their own desires, as Paul describes in verse 19. They are dangerous false teachers, who pose as followers of Jesus, but do not truly follow His Word. Instead they follow their own desires.
How can we recognize these enemies of the cross? Jesus’ death on the Cross brought salvation to man. Those who scorn the Cross, making little of Jesus’ Holy Blood. These say, or act as if there is no need for the death of Jesus on the Cross, that His death was not necessary, and that everyone will be going to heaven. In their minds the Cross and His precious Blood are unnecessary, and they are thus an enemy of the Cross. There are also those who continue to trust in their own works or in human wisdom to save them, those who deny the transforming power of the Gospel. All of the best efforts of those who are trusting in themselves, their efforts and accomplishments, are no better than filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6; Philippians 3:7-8). The Cross of Jesus exposes us for who we really are - hopeless, helpless sinners in need of a Savior.
There are those who claim to be followers of Jesus, but whose worldly, hedonistic lifestyle corrupts them. These are also the enemies of the Cross. They are controlled by their earthly nature, worshiping sensual desires. Their mind is on earthly things, rather than heavenly. Paul states that instead of bragging and glorying in what they believe and how they live, their lifestyle should be their shame. He warns that unless they truly put their faith in the Lord Jesus their end will be destruction.
Paul continues on, stating that our focus should be on heaven, where our true citizenship is, and where Jesus will return from (vs. 20-21). Our heart and life should not be drawn to things here on earth, but instead in heaven, where our citizenship and home truly is, where God dwells, where Jesus is present, and where our names are registered (Luke 10:20). When Jesus returns, He has promised to give us a new body, which will be like the one Jesus has following His resurrection (vs. 21).
As Paul concludes our Scripture passage he calls the believers of Philippi his joy and crown (vs. 4:1). Paul didn’t derive his joy and pleasure in circumstances or possessions, but rather in the people he had won to the Lord, and in those he instructed and encouraged in the Lord. The people that we lead to the Lord will also bring a crown of rejoicing for us.
Paul also urges the true believers and followers of Jesus to stand firm in Him. The way to stand firm is to keep our eyes on Christ, remembering that this world is not our home, and to focus on the fact that Jesus will bring everything under His control. We need to depend fully on Jesus to keep us moving forward in order to finish the race well. He will take us through all of the challenges we face, and lead us home.
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