Follow Paul’s Example
PHILLIPIANS 3:15-21
15All of us, then, who are matured should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
18For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Do we wait eagerly on CHRIST return, and if so are we following the example that Paul gave us in the BIBLE?? Todays society and "religions" make it hard to follow theses examples ALL the time. But as TRUE CHRISTIANS we have to put our faith in JESUS and KNOW he will give us strength to follow Pauls and JESUS examples in all we do. So that we can be examples for others like Paul is a example.
3: 16 Christian maturity involves acting on the guidance that you have already received. We may feel that we lack experience or knowledge of the Christian faith. We can always make the excuse that we still have much to learn, but we should rest confidently in what we do know. God stays on the job. He will direct us (Proverbs 3: 5-6). We should live up to what we already know and live out what Christ has taught us. God will provide the plain teaching we need whenever we need it. (For more on how God teaches us through the Holy Spirit, see 1 John 2: 20-27.) 3: 17-21 Paul criticized not only the Judaizers (see the first note on 3: 2-3) but also self-indulgent Christians— people who claim to be Christians but don’t live up to Christ’s model of servanthood and self-sacrifice. Such people satisfy their own desires before even thinking about the needs of others. Freedom in Christ does not mean freedom to be selfish. It means taking every opportunity to serve and to become the person God made you to be.
3: 17 Paul challenged the Philippians to pursue Christlikeness by following Paul’s own example. This did not mean, of course, that they should copy everything he did; he had just stated that he was not perfect (3: 12). Rather, Paul was calling them to focus their lives on being like Christ, just as he did. At the time this letter was written, the Gospels had probably not yet been widely circulated, so Paul could not tell the believers to read the Bible to see what Christ was like. Instead, he urged them to imitate him. That Paul could tell people to follow his example is a testimony to his character. Could you do the same? What kind of follower would a new Christian become if he or she were to imitate you?
3: 20 Citizens of a Roman colony were expected to promote the interests of Rome and maintain the dignity of the city. In the same way, citizens of heaven ought to promote heaven’s interests on earth and lead lives worthy of heavenly citizenship. Too many Christians have failed to transfer their citizenship to heaven. They still seek earthly pleasures and treasures instead of heavenly ones. Paul told the Philippians to remember that they were citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. Have you transferred your citizenship? How are you promoting heaven’s interests?
3: 21 The phrase lowly bodies does not imply any negative attitude toward the human body. But the bodies we will receive when we are raised from the dead will be glorious, like Christ’s resurrected body. Paul promised this great privilege for every citizen of heaven. Those who struggle with pain, physical limitations, or disabilities can find this wonderful and certain hope in the resurrection especially comforting.Tyndale. NIV Life Application Study Bible
ON THE WAY HOME WALK LIKE JESUS and insure you are living a life imitating PAUL AND JESUS examples of how to live as a CHRISTIAN.
onthewayhomeministries.org by RICHARD DEAN BROOKS