9. LOVING LIVING AND LOOKING FOR CHRIST (Philippians 3:17-21)

Paul fiercely assails a divergence from the truth, whether in living or doctrine. He seeks to bring about the purest in truth and the holiest in life. Compassionately he warns of pitfalls others create, and weeps unabashedly in his appeal to flee carnal teachers.

Philippians 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:"

9.1. EXAMPLES OF CHRIST (Philippians 3:17)

It is of little use weeping over disgraceful departures in Christian living unless a better example is shown.

Philippians 3:17 "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern."

His daring invitation (Philippians 3:17 ), follow me, do as I do. There is no danger of a Pauline sect. What Paul is saying is, 'If you must have a pattern for Christian living, use me.' He is an example - type of true Christlikeness. Follow him in this desire, Christ will not be misrepresented. However urgently we implore men to look to the Lord, they still take man for an example. The world selects the weakest and says 'If its right for him...' We impatiently insist, 'Look to the Lord in whom there is no imperfection.' An empty excuse - they have every right to look to us. Christ is to be seen in us. Preacher - Teacher - Parent etc. Such should be our consistency. We should be able to invite others to 'Look on us.' What is the gospel according to you?

9.2. ENEMIES OF THE CROSS (Philippians 3:18, 19)

Whether these disturbers were corrupt Judaists or not, it is clear that here are unregenerate professors. Their description (Philippians 3:18,19 ) reveals depths of depravity to which a professor can go in his gratification of fleshly lusts.

Philippians 3:18,19 "(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.)"

The "enemies of the Cross of Christ". Not so much opposed to doctrine as demands of the cross, to crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts. By lustful living, they are nullifying the force of the cross in their lives, and falsifying its whole meaning and mission. They are saying 'Away with Him'. The cross in daily experience means not to live after the flesh, but to live unto Him who died and rose. Living for the lusts of the flesh makes us enemies of the cross.

"Whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame." They make a god of their fleshly appetites, boasting in the things of which they should be ashamed. What a contrast to Paul's holy abandonment.

Galatians 6:14 "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

"Whose end is destruction" - the end of those who give themselves to unbridled lusts. Profession is not salvation, we must become a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

If life is given over to sin, where is the evidence of God's grace? The end of that life is perdition. Eternal ruin or loss.

Romans 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. "

9.3. THE EXPECTATION OF HIS COMING (Philippians 3:20,21)

Description of citizens of earth (Philippians 3:18,19 ). Description of citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20,21 ). Each feature a decided contrast. Instead of earthly considerations, the heavenly citizen has heavenly pursuits and prospects. Instead of a body in which lust is fully gratified, he looks for a body in which Christ is fully glorified. Look for the glorious day of Christ to be transformed into His likeness. This expectation brings out Christ's twofold office - Saviour and Sovereign (Philippians 3:20 ). Saviour - when He is coming as judge. Pertinent reference to the Saviour because His coming completes our redemption.

Romans 8:23 "Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body."

The material upon which the Lord makes the change, our "lowly body" "vile bodies" (Philippians 3:21 KJV). "lowly = lowliness - humiliation. i.e Mary "lowly state" (Luke 1:48 ). Undoubtedly man was glorious, fresh from God's creative hands. Moses face shone through communion.

Psalm 8:5 "For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor."

Something happened.

Lamentations 5:16 "The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!"

Sin brought within the body, seeds of decay and death, and man is brought to low estate, humiliated under the curse of sin. The model after which our Lord makes this change is "conformed to His glorious body" (Philippians 3:21 NKJV).

1 John 3:2 "... it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

The means by which the Lord makes this change is,

Philippians 3:21 "... according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

Being like Christ is fully assured. Can God? YES. He is able for every eventuality. He is 'on the job'.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good ... "

He is able, because His power will overthrow all opposition - "subdue all things." His sovereignty remains. All are subject to Him. Death and Satan banished. Sin removed. Groaning creation redeemed. Saints bodies glorified. We long for this day. When interest in the Lord's return wanes, it results in indifferent living. Slack living prevails through superficial belief in His nearness. Laxity is incompatible with the hope.

1 John 3:3 "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

2 Peter 3:11 "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,"

2 Peter 3:17 "You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;"

Just how truly we are looking for Christ can be judged by how purely we live for Christ. When we have the up look of expectancy, it changes our outlook to joyous expectation as we live looking for Him, who will transform us into His own likeness.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would you dare to invite others to follow your example of Christian living? (Philippians 3:17 ).

2. Can the corrupt disturbers of God's people, described in Philippians 3:18-19, be called unregenerate professors?

3. What meaning does it have for you to be a citizen of heaven, and what changes do you wait for? (Philippians 3:20-21 ).