https://www.oneforisrael.org/get-involved/
I've been storing up for my Missions Trip
Goal!
I likewise encourage everyone to
support this cause in
proclaiming the Gospel,
the FIRST STEP, as
Gods Word Clearly Indicates
in achieving
worldwide revival
I encourage anyone
who has a desire to see world revival-
including in America,
to help accelerate that process by
supporting the mandate that God deems
first priority
in his
revealed will and Word
“But indeed I also count all things loss for the
excellence of the knowledge of
Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and count them as rubbish,
that I may gain Christ …”
Philippians 3:8.
The knowledge of
Christ Jesus
has a revolutionary effect“
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ...” Hosea 4:6.
The knowledge of God is
God’s light
By the revelation of the Spirit,
Paul received
this
precious knowledge of Christ
Jesus that far exceeds all
other knowledge
Everything he had previously learned
or looked up to in
this world
now became rubbish and a loss for him.
The true knowledge of
Jesus Christ
has a revolutionary effect on people’s lives.
It makes an end of loving the world and the things that
are in the world.
Paul also prayed fervently for the Ephesians that they
might receive
enlightened eyes of the heart
and
the spirit of wisdom and revelation
in the
knowledge of Him.
(Ephesians 1:17-18.)
The knowledge that Jesus died on Calvary as atonement for the sins of the world is well known. However, the way that Jesus went, from the time He learned to discern between good and evil as a child until He cried out,
“It is finished!” on the cross, is less known and rarely preached.
The way that Jesus went
The way was consecrated through His flesh. (Hebrews 10:20.)
Now we can boldly go the same way, right into the sanctuary.
In the old covenant it was impossible
for a person to deny himself and
preserve a perfect conscience. (Hebrews 9:9-10.)
This would be just as impossible today if sin in the flesh,
against which the law was powerless,
had not
been condemned to death in Jesus.
(Romans 8:3.)
But God be praised that sin in the flesh
can also be condemned
in us through faith in what
transpired in Christ.
The life of Jesus can now be revealed in us to the same extent that we bear in our bodies the dying of Jesus over our self-life.
This is how we increasingly partake of divine nature
and are transformed according to the image of Jesus,
from glory to glory.
(2 Corinthians 4:10; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Peter 1:4.)
In the power of an eternal Spirit Jesus could always say,
“Not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Luke 22:42.
We can also say the same thing in the power of the same Spirit;
thus, we deny ourselves daily, take up our cross,
and follow in His steps, and in the end,
we come to where He is in His glory.
(Luke 9:23.)
The impossible is now possible
What was impossible in the old covenant has now become possible.
Now we can be fully preserved according to our conscience.
If we suffer with Him and endure,
we will also be glorified together with Him
and will inherit all things with Him.
(Hebrews 2:18; 1 Peter 4:13; Romans 8:17.)
When Paul’s eyes were opened to this blessed
way of the cross and self-denial that leads right to the
throne of the Father and of the Son,
he ran as if only one wins the prize.
As long as he was on earth, he also encouraged each and every one to run this race. He exhorted everyone day and night to forsake everything of their own and live a God-fearing life, keeping the commandment pure and blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing.
(1 Timothy 6:11-14.)
The true light
and the
right
knowledge of Jesus Christ
are now breaking through the darkness of unbelief in these days.
It will be quite impossible to hinder this light from shining. Of course, those who are quite comfortable in the religious semi-darkness will cause a considerable stir when the light shines in;
they will try to push it away by maintaining that it is false doctrine and a hard and judgmental spirit.
Yes, it is quite certain that the light judges
and that the
true knowledge of Christ will definitely become
unrecognizable
to those who have been blinded to
spiritual discernment
However, the upright rejoice greatly when light arises in their hearts.
Straining Toward the Goal
Brothers, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to
what lies ahead,
press on toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Let those of us who are mature think this way,
and if in anything you think otherwise,
God will reveal that also to you.
Only let us hold
true to what we have attained.
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears,
walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame,
with minds set on earthly things.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ,
who will transform the lowly body to be like his glorious body,
by the power that enables him even to
subject all things to himself.
Therefore, my brothers,
whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,
stand firm thus in the Lord,
my beloved.
Paul has not yet arrived at his goal.
The Greek verb used here, teleioō, can refer to
being perfected,
being completed, or reaching a goal.
Paul’s athletic imagery
in these verses likely captured the attention of the Philippians,
whose proximity to Greece exposed them to the
Greek athletic games.
For Paul, the ultimate goal is
knowing Christ’s resurrection power
and
dwelling with Him in the age to come
(Phil 3:10–11, 21).
The Prize of the Upward Call of God
The Greek adjective used here, teleios, is related to the verb in v. 12.
In this case,
Paul probably is
calling on mature believers to
adopt the
mindset he has just described
Paul regularly presents himself as a model for believers to follow
(compare 1 Cor 4:16; 11:1; Gal 4:12).
In Philippians, he also praises others who are
worthy of imitation—Christ,
Timothy, and Epaphroditus (Phil 2:5, 22, 25, 29). 3:18
These enemies seem to be different from the group that was promoting circumcision for non-Jewish believers (vv. 2–3). Paul associates them with sensual pleasures and shameful behavior (v. 19), suggesting they are libertines rather than keepers of the law.
Theology of the Cross
Paul assures the Philippians that such people will face divine judgment.
Their God is their Bell. Roman citizenship was highly prized,
but
Paul encourages believers to embrace
a far better identity
as citizens of God’s kingdom.
Most residents of Philippi probably lacked Roman citizenship
(see note on 1:1).
For any believers who did hold Roman citizenship,
Paul’s statement here presents
a challenge to look beyond their
earthly
status and show highest allegiance to Christ.
Citizenship in Heaven
In the Roman Empire,
the emperor was known as the savior and lord.
By applying these titles to Jesus,
Paul is calling the Philippians to
live under
the authority and reign of the universe’s
true Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
It was likely this kind of message that
landed Paul and Silas in jail
in Philippi (Acts 16:21).
Savior DPL 3:21 Those who believe in Christ will be raised and their bodies will be transformed
(Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 15:20–22, 51–54).
This explains why Paul writes that distinctive markers,
such as circumcision,
do not hold value in Christ
(Gal 6:15).
Temporary signs pale in comparison to the glorious transformation
that is shown to true believers through revealed glory
and continued sanctification
Paul repeats his call for Christian unity, the letter’s dominant theme
(compare Phil 1:27–30; 2:2–4; 3:15–17).
Overview of Philippians 4:1–23 LRC:P 4:1 See note on 1:27. 4:2
Paul names two women who had worked with him (v. 3) and apparently were at odds. Their quarrel might have been a key reason why Paul wrote this letter.
Euodia and Syntyche could have been leaders in the Philippian church.
By addressing their dispute in a letter to the entire congregation,
Paul is encouraging
accountability
The motif of maintaining joy in the midst of suffering
is common in Paul’s writings
(Col 1:24; 2:5; 1 Thess 1:6; 2 Cor 8:2).
How can we guard our minds by thinking about whatever
is right?
The word for
“right”
in the original Greek language means
“just, that which conforms with justice,
morally right, proper.”
And “just” is how the KJV and NKJV translate it.
Specifically, the term relates to our relationships with others.
One commentary suggests that thinking on
whatever is
right
refers to fairness between
“all parties involved, that which
fulfills all
obligations and debts
Thinking right thoughts
steers one away from quarrels and dissensions
to
think of the needs and rights of the other party”
(Anders, M., Galatians—Colossians, Vol. 8, Broadman & Holman, 1999, p. 262).
Another commentary explains
that a person
“is ‘just’ . . .
and therefore right when he
gives to God and to his fellow men
what is their due.
He accepts and performs his proper
duty to
God and man”
(Loh, I. and Nida, E. A., A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, United Bible Societies, 1995, p. 134). In other words,
“think on whatever is right in the eyes of God and people”
or
“think about what is fair for all involved”
is an excellent way
to understand Paul’s meaning.
Earlier in the epistle, Paul urges the church,
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to
your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 2:2–5).
Christ is the ultimate authority on right thinking:
The word right can also refer to being righteous.
Psalm 11:7 tells us that God Himself is
righteous and loves and rewards justice in His people.
When Paul says to “think about these things” at the end of Philippians 4:8,
he means to
“consider, give thought to, and reason out” these virtues.
Next, he says, “practice these things”
(Philippians 4:9, ESV).
As believers, we are to think about what is right and
then reason out how to
“put on the new self, created to be like God in
true
righteousness and holiness”
(Ephesians 4:24).
The goal of filling our minds with whatever is right is becoming
like Christ—the Righteous One
(1 John 2:1; Acts 3:14).
As we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2),
thinking on whatever is right, we begin to
“put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge
in the image of its Creator”
(Colossians 3:10).