Morning Moments

Philippians Devotional Outline (cont)

III. A New Goal - Conformity to Christ 3:1-21
A. A Reason to Rejoice 3:1-2
B. A Rebel to Renounce 3:4-8
C. A Righteousness to Reveal 3:9
D. A Resurrection to Reckon 3:10-14
E. A Revelation to Receive 3:15-19

I wish that somehow Christians would get the English word "perfect" out of their minds when reading the Bible and think in terms like "complete" or "mature". "Well, nobody is perfect" is such a common expression among Christians to justify our failure, flaws, faults, and flagrant disobedience. Let's established this fact right now and we will never have to say it again - NONE OF US IS COMPLETELY COMPLETE YET, BUT WE ARE EACH AND EVERYONE BEING COMPLETED. Copy that Houston? Got it? Now we can move on to the text:

1. He will Reveal the Endangerment 3:15-17

[3:15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
[16] Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
[17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Once again, as in chapter two, Paul refers to the mental attitude of the believer with the words, "Let us be...thus minded" as he addresses those who are mature but still maturing. If we can get hold of this concept of "perfection" in this way we will never again be confused about it, nor make excuses for not being complete yet. We are complete and fully mature positionally but we are being completed and matured practically day by day as we grow in Christ.

I recently had an experience with someone who has a background of belief that teaches baptism is necessary for salvation. I simply asked, "Would you consider water baptism for the Christian like circumcise for the Jew since both were commanded by God, and both were 'signs' of a covenant relationship?" Before she could answer I reminded her that both were commanded by God. Her response was a simple "Yes" to which I responded, "Then there are two major problems with your argument 1) No female could have been saved for no female could be circumcised, and 2) the author of at least 13 New Testament books makes it perfectly clear that neither circumcise nor baptism saves."

If you are going to be a student of Scripture, you must be an honest one, and you cannot pick "proof texts" out of their context to try and support your petty doctrine. It just doesn't work. So Paul is saying (and this is my suggestion), "Look guys, none of us is complete in our knowledge, but we have learned to be of one mind about certain things - the things that I have taught you, so follow those who are following my teaching and you will be safe and not sorry. God will show you this if you will let Him guide you."

2. He will Reveal the Enemies 3:18-19

[3:18] (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
[19] Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

This one is a bomb in much of today's teaching. Paul says, "It absolutely breaks my heart that so many are being mislead and exploited by charlatans who are only concerned for themselves, their benefit, their well being, and their profit. They live the high live at the expense of those who are seeking God, but they are in truth the enemies of the cross of Christ. WOW!

These do not "naturally care for your soul", rather they feed themselves at your expense. They promise "liberty" but take you into bondage. What they do is shameful, but they glory in it. Their focus is upon "earthly" things such as "what shall we eat, where shall we live, what shall we wear, and what shall we drive, where shall we live - does all this somehow sound familiar to anyone? This is serious business in today's Christianity and I say we are WAY off base. Forget your stupid "financial package" and focus upon "Father's Provision".

PLEASE, for Christ's sake, understand my heart here - If any man or ministry wants more from you than they are willing to give to you, I considered them suspect!!!!! We are here to SERVE not to BE SERVED. I fear that modern Christianity has created a monster that is devouring us and we can't stop it. GOD HELP US to see the need for MORE MATURITY AND NOT SO MUCH MORE MONEY! Don't get me wrong, I know it takes money, but it takes maturity to handle money without money handling us.

BLESSINGS!