Today was Week 108 of Rightly Dividing the Word of truth…our study / overview of Paul’s epistles to believers in this dispensation of the grace of God. Paul has given us a pattern in his life for us to study and to seek to emulate.
In the last seven verses of Philippians 3, Paul gives us three key thoughts to apply in our journey into Christ likeness.
Stay focused on the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus – V.13-16
The key is that we all walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing. Maturity in Christ is a lifelong endeavor, and it takes studying God’s Word and applying it to our daily lives.
2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Be pressed into the mold of Paul – V.17-19
The Lord separated Paul for the express purpose of divine revelation to all Church Age believers, Jew and Gentile alike. He is the pattern we are to follow. He is the template that we are to reflect. There are many false teachers who skew the gospel for personal gain. Paul lets us all know what is waiting for them – destruction! True biblical discipleship will result in believers with a strong foundation of truth based on the Lord Jesus Christ!
2 Timothy 2:1-4: Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Paul reveals the ultimate prize – V.20-21
The recurring theme throughout Paul’s letters is the rapture of the Church Age saints. Salvation has not reformed us in our state of spiritual deadness. It has given life to all who were spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3). We who are in Christ are new creatures; that which we were is passed away. Everything before us is a brand new life in Christ. The end result of the new life we have in Christ is the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, when he will change our vile bodies, and fashion them like unto his glorious body!
Romans 8:16-19, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, 1 John 3:1-3
Colossians 3:1-4: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
We will begin to unpack Philippians 4 this coming Sunday.