REJOICING IN REWARDS--Philippians 3:12-4:1

     Many Christian schools have an Awards Night.  Some of  the students are awarded for their attainments.  Those will be REJOICING IN REWARDS.  Paul deals with this subject in Philippians 3:12-4:1.  Consider first:

I. OUR PRIZE--3:12-16
     A. The Reaching--vv. 12-14
          1. We are not perfect--v. 12a
               a. Not as though
                    (I) "By this I do not mean to say that." (Vincent, III:449)
                    (II) Paul is trying to guard against a misunderstanding.
               b. I have already attained
                    (I) "With these words Paul emphasized to the Philippian believers that he had not yet accomplished all in his
                         life that he was going to accomplish.  In verse 12 Paul seems to be likening his own life to the runners in
                         the Greek games.  Paul wanted the Philippians to know that he had not reached the goal at some point in
                         the past; rather, he was still in the process of  striving to reach the goal." (Good News, 5/77, 41)
                    (II) "Observe, The best men in the world will readily own their imperfection in the present state.  We have not
                         yet attained, are not already perfect; there is still much wanting in all our duties and graces, and comforts.
                         If  Paul had not attained to perfection (who had reached to so high a pitch of  holiness), much less have
                         we." (Henry, VI:740)
               c. Were already perfect
                    (I) "There is a change of tenses which may be intentional; the aorist attained pointing to the definite period of'
                         his conversion, the perfect, am made perfect, referring to his present state.  Nether when I became
                         Christ's did I attain, nor, up to this time, have I been perfected." (Vincent, III:449; italics are his.)
                    (II) "Paul pointedly denies that he has reached a spiritual impasse of  nondevelopment.  Certainly he knew
                         nothing of  so-called sudden absolute perfection by any single experience.  Paul has made great progress
                         in Christlikeness, but the goal is still before him, not behind him." (Robertson, IV:454-5)
                    (III) This passage should answer forever anyone who holds to sinless perfection.
          2. We press onto perfection--v. 12b
               a. I follow after
                    (I) The idea here is one of  pressing on.
                    (II) "Like a runner pursuing the goal, Paul wanted to honor Jesus Christ in everything he did so he might be
                         more and more molded into the image of  Jesus Christ." (Good News, 5/77, 41)
               b. That I may apprehend . . . of  Christ Jesus
                    (I) The word apprehend means to seize, win, attain what one’s own.
                    (II) "Paul's meaning is, 'I would grasp that for which Christ grasped me.'  Paul's conversion was literally of  the
                         nature of  a seizure [not the malady of  that name, but a snatching]. That for which Christ laid hold of  him
                         was indeed his mission to the Gentiles, but it was also his personal salvation, and it is of  this that the
                         context treats." (Vincent, III:449-50; italics are his.)
                    (III) "Paul had not yet achieved the complete end in order to say that he had taken it down, or held it down,
                         and made it his own.  He believed that Christ still had much more in view for him before his life was
                         brought to a close, at which time he would experience absolute perfection in the presence of  Christ."
                         (Good News, 5/77, 41)
                    (IV) NOTE:  "Observe, . . . Whence our grace comes--from our being apprehended of  Christ Jesus.  It is
                         not our laying hold of  Christ first, but his laying hold of  us, which is our happiness and salvation." (Henry,
                         VI:740)
          3. We look forward not back--v. 13
               a. The negative
                    (I) "He does not here call in question the certainty of  his salvation, as though he were still in suspense, but
                         repeats what he had said before--that he still aimed at making further progress, because he had not yet
                         attained the end of  his calling." (Calvin, 102)
                    (II) "Observe, Those who think they have grace enough give proof that they have little enough, or rather that
                         they have none at all; because, whenever there is true grace, there is a desire of  more grace, and pressing
                         towards the perfection of  grace." (Henry, VI:740)
               b. The positive
                    (I) The forgetting
                         (A) "Paul can mean either his old pre-Christian life, his previous progress as a Christian, or both (all of
                              it)." (Robertson, IV:455)
                         (B) We should never be satisfied with the progress we have made in our Christian walk.
                         (C) "He alludes to runners, who do not turn their eyes aside in any direction lest they should slacken the
                              speed of  their course, and, more especially, do not look behind to see how much ground they have
                              gone over, but hasten forward unremittingly toward the goal." (Calvin, 102)
                    (II) The reaching forward
                         (A) "Metaphor of  a runner leaning forward as he runs." (Robertson, IV:455)
                         (B) "So he reached forth, . . . stretched himself  forward, bearing towards his point: it is expressive of  a
                              vehement concern." (Henry, VI:740; italics are his.)
          4. We press toward the goal--v.14
               a. Pressing toward the mark
                    (I) "'Down upon the goal,' who is Jesus himself to whom we must continually look as we run (Heb. 12:2).
                         The word means a watchman, then the goal or mark." (Robertson, IV:455)
                    (II) "He pressed towards the mark.  As he who runs a race never takes up short of  the end, but still making
                         forwards as fast as he can, so those who have heaven in their eye must still be pressing forward to it in holy
                         desires and hopes, and constant endeavours and preparations.  The fitter we grow for heaven the faster
                         we must press towards it.  Heaven is called here the mark, because it is that which every good Christian
                         has in his eye; as the archer has his eye fixed upon the mark he designs to hit." (Henry, VI:740-41)
               b. The prize of  the upward call
                    (I) The prize
                         (A) The word prize occurs only here and in 1 Corinthians 9:24.
                         (B) Reward is in view
                         (C) Certainly heaven is in view--"Heaven is the prize of  the high calling; we fight for, and run for, and
                              wrestle for, what we aim at in all we do, and what will reward all our pains.  It is of  great use in the
                              Christian course to keep our eye upon heaven." (op. cit., VI:741; italics are his.)
                         (D) But there are other rewards also as would be seen in 1 Corinthians 9:24.
                    (II) The high calling
                         (A) An upward call.
                         (B) "The goal continually moves forward as we press on, but yet never out of  sight." (Robertson, 445)
                         (C) "A calling which is from heaven to heaven. . . . calling is habitually used in the New Testament of  the
                              act of  calling.  Compare Heb. iii.1.  The prize is bound up with the calling; promised when the call is
                              issued, and given when the call is fulfilled.” (Vincent, III:450-51; italics are his.)
                    (III) Of  God--cf. Romans 6:23
                    (IV) In Christ Jesus
                         (A) All that we have as Christians is in Christ Jesus.
                         (B) "It is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him.  There is no
                              getting to heaven as our home but by Christ as our way." (Henry, VI:741)
     B. The Maturing--vv. 15, 16
          1. The growth--v. 15a
               a. The term perfect
                    (I) Paul's term for mature Christians
                    (II) "Here the term" . . . "means relative perfection, not the absolute perfection so pointedly denied in verse
                         12.  Paul here includes himself in the group of  spiritual adults." (Robertson, IV:445-6)
                    (III) Some of  you may not be adults, nevertheless you can be spiritually mature.
               b. Reaching maturity requires growth.
                    (I) True in the physical realm--a twelve-year old would not be a healthy boy or girl if  he or she were still in
                         diapers crawling around on the floor.
                    (II) Spiritually you can grow, also--2 Peter 3:18
               c. Requires being thus minded
                    (I) "'Let us keep on thinking this,' viz. that we have not yet attained absolute perfection." (op. cit., 446)
                    (II) Forget the past, and press on.
                    (III) "The apostle, having proposed himself as an example, urges the Philippians to follow it.  Let the same
                         mind be in us which was in blessed Paul.  We see here how he was minded; let us be like-minded, and set
                         our hearts upon Christ and as he did." (Henry, VI:741)
          2. The revelation--v. 15b
               a. If  in any thing ye be otherwise minded
                    (I) Some think this means "If  you think that you are absolutely perfect."
                    (II) But it says "anything."
                    (III) Thus, the sense is that if  we are not in agreement, we need to wait upon God to make the matter clear.
               b. God will reveal even this to you.
                    (I) In regards to thinking one is perfect--"In the progress of  the Christian life, you will find the true knowledge
                         of  your own imperfection; and of Christ's all-sufficiency revealed to you by God's Spirit." (Alford, III:183)
                    (II) "Whatever it is wherein you differ, you must wait till God give you a better understanding, which he will do
                         in his due time." (Henry, VI:741)
          3. The walk--v. 10
               a. Whereto we have already attained
                    (I) Nevertheless--"Not withstanding the minor points in which you may be otherwise minded." (Vincent,
                         III:451)
                    (II) "Whatever real Christian and moral attainment you may have made, let that serve as a rule for your further
                         advance." (Ibid.)
               b. Let us walk by the same rule.
                    (I) "You must go together in the ways of  God, join together in all the great things in which you are agreed,
                         and wait for further light in the minor things wherein you differ." (Henry, VI:741)
                    (II) "Paul means simply this that, having come thus far, the thing to do is to go 'in the same path' (. . .) in which
                         we have been travelling so far.  A needed lesson for Christians weary with the monotony of  routine in
                         religious life and work." (Robertson, IV:456)
                    (III) In view of  verse 17, he may be suggesting to use him as an example.
                    (IV) "Let us be of  the same mind" reiterates this fact.

II. OUR CITIZENSHIP--3:17-4:1
     A. Being An Example--3:17-19
          1. The positive--v. 17
               a. Imitators together of  the apostle
                    (I) "Paul addressed fellow believers, as indicated by the word 'brethren.'  He used the plural form of" the
                         Greek word, "which was the common word for 'brother' in the first century.  Although they were not
                         physical brothers, or even fellow Jews, they were brothers in Christ because they and he had trusted Jesus
                         Christ as Saviour." (Good News, 7-8/77, 28)
                    (II) They were to imitate Paul.
                         (A) "'Vie with each other in imitating me.'" (Robertson, IV:456)
                         (B) "Paul wanted the Philippians to be imitators with each other, or fellow imitators of  him.  Paul could
                              instruct them in such a way because he as an imitator of  Jesus Christ." (Good News, 7-8/77, 28)
               b. Mark them which walk so
                    (I) The word mark means to look at him or take notice.
                    (II) "Paul wanted the Phllippian believers to take special note of  those who were walking according to the
                         example he had established.  This is the positive element--observing those whose lives are an honor to the
                         Lord Jesus Christ." (Ibid.)
               c. As ye have us for an ensample.
                    (I) The word ensample--"Originally the impression left by a stroke (. . .), then a pattern (mould [sic]) as
                         here." (Robertson, 456)
                    (II) "Paul's life had served as an outline of  the way a Christian life ought to be lived, and now there were
                         many in Philippi who were following his example.  Paul encouraged believers to take special note of
                         them." (Good News, 7-8/77, 28)
          2. The negative--vv. 18, 19
               a. A wrong walk--v. 18
               (I) "No word is supplied describing the character of  their walk; but this is brought out by enemies of  the cross
                    of Christ, and is the details of  ver. 19." (Vincent, III:451-2; italics are his.)
               (II) Paul repeated the warnings.
                    (A) "How interesting it is that Paul had told the Philippian believers about this kind of  people 'often.'
                         Apparently when discipling these young believers Paul thought it was important to frequently tell them that
                         there are those who do not live in a way that honors the Lord and are even enemies of  the message.  Paul
                         saw this instruction as necessary to keep the Philippian believers on target so they would not become
                         spiritually discouraged when they met such people." (Good News, 7-8/77, 28)
                    (B) This writer, too, repeatedly warns you.
                    (C) "We so little heed the warnings given us that we have need to have them repeated." (Henry, VI:741)
               (III) Paul even wept over them.
                    (A) He showed deep emotion as he dictated this letter.
                    (B) He was a weeping preacher just as Jeremiah was a weeping prophet.
                    (C) "What an insight into the heart of  the Apostle Paul!  He could not write about people being the enemies
                         of  the cross of  Christ without being broken up emotionally to think of  what they were doing to
                         themselves and to Jesus Christ." (Good News, 7-8/77, 28)
               (IV) They are enemies of  the cross.
                    (A) Historically--"Either the Judaizers who denied the value of  the cross of  Christ (. . .) or Epicurean
                         antinomians whose loose living gave the lie to the cross of  Christ." (Robertson, IV:456)
                    (B) Prophetically
                         (1) Then--"These individuals to whom Paul was referring may have gone along with the Christian message
                              as long as one talked about the historical Jesus or even the need to follow Him as an example.  But
                              when one began talking about the cross these people soon evidenced that they were enemies of  this
                              kind of  message." (Good News, 7-8/77, 28)
                         (2) Today
                              (a) "Those today who hold a liberal theology do not mind discussing the fact of  Christ's coming to
                                   earth to demonstrate that He was a great teacher and an example for all to follow.  But when one
                                   focuses attention on the cross where He shed His blood to pay the penalty of sin, the liberal
                                   theologians usually draws the line at this point and refuse to dwell on what was accomplished at the
                                   cross of  Christ." (Ibid.)
                              (b) If  you hear a person downgrading or speaking against the blood or the cross of  Christ, mark that
                                   person to be an enemy of  the cross of  Christ.
               b. A bad end--v. 19
                    (I) Their end is destruction.
                         (A) "Their way seems pleasant, but death and hell are at the end of  it.  What fruit had you then in those
                              things whereof  you are ashamed?  For the end of  those things is death.  Rom vi. 21.  It is
                              dangerous following them, though it is going down the stream; for, if  we choose their way, we have
                              reason to fear their end." (Henry, 742; italics are his.)
                         (B) "Sometimes believers may wonder why enemies of  the cross of  Christ seem to prosper in this life, but
                              we must not forget that their ultimate end is destruction.  Notice that it is not annihilation--they do not
                              cease to exist.  It is destruction.  Every individual will be somewhere throughout eternity--either in
                              heaven or in hell.  Where each person will be depends on his relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.
                              These about whom Paul was writing were enemies of  the cross of  Christ and had refused to come
                              into right relationship with Christ by trusting Him as Saviour; therefore, their eternal destiny is hell."
                              (Good News, 7-8/77, 29)
                    (II) Their god is their belly.
                         (A) Paul may be thinking of  the Epicureans who thought that pleasure was the chief end.
                         (B) "Sensuality in food, drink, sex then as now mastered some men.  These men posed as Christians and
                              gloried in their shame." (Robertson, IV:456-7)
                         (C) Cf. 2 Timothy 3:4
                         (D) Whether this is taken to refer directly to one's stomach, or something else, or the following of  rigid
                              rules about food, such ones are enemies of  the Cross of  Christ because--"They were obviously
                              trusting in themselves and what they could do rather than trusting in Christ and what He had already
                              done for them." (Good News, 7-8/77, 29)
                    (III) Their glory is their shame.
                         (A) "They not only sinned, but boasted of  it and gloried in that of which they ought to have been ashamed.
                              Sin is the sinner's shame, especially when it is gloried in.  'They value themselves for what is their
                              blemish and reproach.'" (Henry, VI:741-2)
                         (B ) "This shows how degenerate these enemies of  the cross had become." (Good News, 7-8/77, 29)
                    (IV) They mind earthly things.
                         (A) "They were not concerned about heavenly things, even though they might occasionally talk about them.
                              The basis of  all of  their thinking was that which is earthly rather than that which is heavenly.  We see
                              this today in the secular humanism of  our age.  Those who are committed to being able to explain
                              everything apart from a miracle-working God are really enemies of  the cross of  Christ." (Ibid.)
                         (B) "Christ came by his cross to crucify the world to us and us to the world; and those who mind
                              earthly things act directly contrary to the cross of  Christ, and this great design of  it.  They relish earthly
                              things, and have no relish of things which are spiritual and heaven." (Henry, VI:742)
     B. Being a Citizen--3:20, 21
          1. Our eager waiting--v. 20
               a. Our conversation is in heaven.
                    (I) The word conversation
                         (A) It is the Greek word from which we get our word political.
                         (B) Thus, it means citizenship.
                    (II) "The reason why a believer is not to live with only the things of  this world in view is what he is actually a
                         citizen of  another country--heaven.  The believer needs to recognize that his residence on earth is only
                         temporary; therefore he should not become so attached to it that he treats temporal things as if  they were
                         eternal." (Good News, 9/77, 30)
                    (III) "This world is not our home, but that is.  There our greatest privileges and concerns lie.  And, because
                         our citizenship is there, our conversation is there; being related to that world, we keep up a
                         correspondence with it.  The life of  a Christian is in heaven, where his head is, and his home is, and his
                         hopes to be shortly; and where he sets his affections upon things above; he where his heart is there will
                         conversation be." (Henry, VI:742; italics are his.)
                    (IV) Therefore, our conversation, that is, our talk should be heavenly.
               b. Our hope is from heaven.
                    (I) The word look
                         (A) Means eagerly wait
                         (B) "It indicates earnest, patient waiting and expectation." (Vincent, III:452)
                    (II) "This is also a significant reason why the believer lives differently from the unbeliever.  The Christian is
                         expecting Christ to return, which means that a time of  reckoning is coming.  The non-Christian is
                         unconcerned about a time of  accounting because he does not believe that Jesus Christ is returning.
                         Perhaps there is no greater determining factor in the way a person lives than what he thinks about personal
                         accountability." (Good News, 9/77, 30)
                    (III) The Lord is now in heaven, but He is coming again; are you eagerly awaiting His coming?
                    (IV) If  so it is going to make a difference in your actions in the work place and the home.
          2. Our exciting change--v. 21
               a. He will change our bodies.
                    (I) The word vile
                         (A) There is nothing evil or vile about your body in itself.
                         (B) The word here means humiliation or lowly.
                    (II) "It has its rise and origin from the earth, it is supported out of  the earth, and is subject to many diseases
                         and to death at last.  Besides, it is often the occasion and instrument of  much sin, which is called the body
                         of  this death, Rom. vii.24.  Or it may be understood of  its vileness when it lies in the grace; at the
                         resurrection it will be found a vile body, resolved into rottenness and dust." (Henry, VI:742; italics are his.)
               b. He will make it like His body.
                    (I) His body is glorious.
                         (A) He does now have a body.
                         (B) "The body" is that "in which He appears in His present glorified state." (Vincent, III:454)
                    (II) Our bodies will be made like His.
                         (A) "What a day it will be when the believer receives a glorified body like the body of  the Lord Jesus
                              Christ!  It will be a body without limitations and one that will never die." (Good News, 9/77, 31)
                         (B) Scripture
                              (1) 1 Corinthians 15:51-54
                              (2) 1 John 3:2
               c. He will work it because "He is able to subdue all things."
                    (I) "Because such a concept of  a change of one's body is so far beyond human comprehension, the
                         Philippians probably wondered the same thing others have wondered:  How is this possible?  The answer
                         is found in the words which follow:  'According to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things
                         unto himself' (v. 21).  All of  this is possible because of  the ability of  Jesus Christ to bring everything into
                         subjection to Himself." (Ibid.)
                    (II) "It is a matter of  comfort to us that he can subdue all things to himself, and sooner or later will bring over
                         all into his interest.  And the resurrection will be wrought by this power." (Henry, VI:742)
     C. Being Beloved
          1. A longed-for person
               a. Called brethren
                    (I) Remember that this is a common term for believers.
                    (II) "He looked upon them as his brethren, though he was a great apostle.  All we are brethren.  There is
                         difference of  gifts, graces, and attainments, yet, being renewed by the same Spirit, after the same image,
                         we are brethren; as the children of  the same parents, though of  different ages, statures , and
                         complexions." (op. cit., 743; italics are his.)
               b. Called dearly beloved
                    (I) This is not flattery but sincere affection.
                    (II) "Warm affections become ministers and Christians toward one another.  Brotherly love must always go
                         along with the brotherly relation." (Ibid.)
               c. Called longed-for
                    (I) Only occurs here in the New Testament.
                    (II) "He loved them and longed for them, longed for their welfare and was earnestly desirous of  it." (Ibid.)
                    (III) Cf. 1:8
          2. A joy and crown
               a. "The Philippian converts are his chaplet of  victory, showing that he has not run in vain, ch. ii.16." (Vincent,
                    III:454)
               b. "He loved them and glorified in them.  They were his crown as well as his joy.  Never was proud ambitious
                    man more pleased with the ensigns of  honour than Paul was with the evidence of  the sincerity of  their faith
                    and obedience." (Henry, VI:743)
               c. Scripture
                    (I) 1 Thessalonians 2:19
                    (II) 2 John 4
               d. You can be a joy and crown to your pastor as you are obedient in your daily life.
          3. A steadfast person
               a. Steadfast
                    (I) "They had already, it is true, given some evidence of  their constancy.  Paul, however, will knowing human
                         weakness, reckons that they have need of  confirmation for the future." (Calvin, 112 )
                    (II) "Being in Christ, they must stand fast in him, be even and steady in their walk with him, and close and
                          constant unto the end." (Henry, VI:743)
                     (III) "They were tempted to defection.  Standing firm is difficult when a panic starts." (Robertson, IV:458)
                b. In the Lord
                     (I) "To stand fast in the Lord is to stand fast in his strength and by his grace; not trusting in ourselves, and
                          disclaiming any sufficiency of  our own." (Henry, VI:743; italics are his.)
                     (II) Cf. Ephesians 6:10
                c. Again calls them dearly beloved.

     Paul has been REJOICING IN REWARDS in this section, Philippians 3:12-4:1.  He spoke of  Our Prize in 3:12 -16, in which he considered the reaching for the prize and the growing up to the prize.  He told of  Our Citizenship in 3:17-4:1, in which he informed believers about being an example, being a citizen of heaven, and being beloved.
     Is your citizenship in heaven?  Are you a child of the King?  Are you eagerly awaiting the Lord's return?

     If  not, examine yourself, for you may not have trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.  If  you haven't, do so now!