Wednesday Bible Study: Peoples of the Epistles part 6

 

Philippians brings us to a Church not unlike the Ephesians in what we learn about them.  But as Paul puts it...

Php 3:1  Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is indeed not grievous to me, but for you it is safe.

This is pretty much the reason to keep going to Church, to keep hearing the word.  It is SAFE.  The Philippians were under the same assault as the others...

Php 3:2  Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil workers! Beware of the mutilators! 

Yes, those lovely Judaizers, who have in our world those that are preaching "tolerance", men like those who (at one of the biggest churches in the nation) preach that you don't need the Old Testament, because it drives away the new generations.  That preach there are many ways to heaven, all that's needed is sincerity.  Those that rightly teach, 'love the sinner', but believe that this love includes ignoring the sin.  And, on the other side of the coin, tell you "you can't understand the Bible on your own", or, "God hates (fill in your group)", or, "That form of worship isn't respectful enough for OUR church".

How does Paul tell us to combat these doctrines?  That is the crux of this letter.

Php 2:1  So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
Php 2:2  complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

And what is that "same mind"?

Php 2:3  Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Php 2:4  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Php 2:5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Php 2:6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7  but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

So let's walk through this.  Pride as always is the enemy.  Whether it is the pride of being the 'most praiseworthy by men' church, or the 'look how pure we are' church, pride is the enemy. What are the good qualities he brings up? Service and obedience.  See, you can be as humble as Moses, but not obedient; you can put the Cross before you in all things, and not be humble.

Php 2:12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Php 2:13  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

2 of the most misunderstood verses in all the Bible.  One uses it to "prove" that salvation can be lost; another uses it as the basis for a work-based faith.  Neither one reads it correctly.  Have you been saved?  Then, are you at the same point you were when you started? Think of this very fortunate phrasing as your faith is like you in a gym.  You are working out, becoming stronger and healthier.  In faith, that workout consists of what God is working INTO you: new knowledge, new ways of seeing things.  Only, instead of being proud of the 'muscles' you're building, you should be marveling- even 'trembling'- at what God is doing in you.

So far we've hit on Service, obedience, humility, and working out. The next step as it was with the others, is attitude:

Php 2:14  Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
Php 2:15  that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Php 2:16  holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 

Mind you, this use of 'questioning' doesn't mean a "my way or the highway" attitude, but to eliminate the childish "but why"s over every little thing.  The actual word means "debating", which was built into the Greek culture of the time.  Philosophical arguments over the 'jots and tittles' as the 'Teachers of the Law' did, and were trying to draw these others into.  There is no problem asking about something you are not sure you understand.  Trying to build a 'man's reason' for a command of God is a different story.

The next level Paul takes them to is to follow his extreme example...

Php 3:8  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

You might recall, this use of the word "rubbish" is preceded by his long list of how great he used to be in the eyes of men (especially the Judaizers).  And it is followed by his 'running the race' analogy:

Php 3:13  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Php 3:14  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Point:  What was great in his own accomplishments is now nothing to him; and what he has accomplished through Christ is not yet enough while he still breathes- even though he's already earned a better reward.  Standing still is going backwards to him.  And so moving forward is the sixth lesson to the Philippians.

Finally, a little 'personal experience' this week.  Application is hard, so follow along.  One morning this week, I read this passage:

Php 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Php 4:9  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Within moments, on the way to work, I saw a sign carrying the acronym "BBD".  My mind, as it often does, tries to make it stand for something "funny"; instead, it came up with something shameful.  I said, "No, it's not going to work that way". I turned it into meaning "Bright Blue Day", a symbol, I thought, of optimism and joy.  I shared it with a co-worker, and we watched in amazement as the day quickly dissolved into a cavalcade of catastrophes, leading my co-worker to eventually exclaim, "This is all your fault!"  And so it was.  Satan will do everything he can to keep you from "thinking about these things".  But, YOU have the choice- how do you react?  Nothing that Satan can throw at you HAS to change your attitude.  And if you take Paul's advice...

Php 4:1  Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

...you can end the day laughing off Satan's attempts.