Philippians 3:9 says, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Paul had listed all his qualifications to be called a child of God, then now says that he does not want to be judged by them, but by faith in Christ. He wanted to be found in Christ and not his own righteousness. No matter how righteous we may believe we are, our own righteousness will never save us. We, like Paul, can only be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Verse ten adds, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Paul said that he wanted to know Christ, and not to just know of Him. He wanted a personal relationship with Christ and wanted a fellowship with Him even in His sufferings and death. Paul did not ask for material riches through his faith in Christ, but asked for faith that would sustain him through suffering and even death. This is the faith that we need today. Verse eleven continues, If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Paul said that he would suffer for his faith in Christ or even die for it so that he might gain everlasting life. This is our ultimate goal today as followers of Christ. Verse twelve concludes, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Paul said that he did not claim to be perfect already, but that he lived to be made perfect through his faith in Jesus Christ. Paul said he was apprehended by, or under the control of, Jesus Christ. We are not perfect as Christians, but we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ. Verse thirteen declares, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Paul said that he did not claim to have apprehended complete righteousness, but that he was reaching for it while forgetting the things that went before, which included the good and the bad. We cannot stand on our past accomplishments nor allow our past failures to keep us from God. We can only live our life dedicated to following Jesus Christ every day. Verse fourteen adds, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul said that he lived by pressing toward the mark or the prize of the high calling of God through faith in Jesus Christ. As Christians, this should be our goal every day. We are pressing on toward God's everlasting home that He has waiting for us through faith in Jesus Christ. Verse fifteen states, 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. Paul called on those who were made perfect before the heavenly Father to be like minded in their faith to Jesus Christ. We as followers of Jesus Christ are not perfect, but we strive toward perfection through our faith in Jesus Christ. Verse sixteen adds, Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Paul said that those who had been saved by Jesus Christ, therefore being made perfect before the heavenly Father by the salvation of Jesus Christ, should be likeminded. We as Christians should all be united in following God's will. Verse seventeen says, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. Paul said that the Christians at Philippi should follow his example of faithful living, as well as the example of other faithful Christians. I do not believe that Paul was calling on them to put their faith in him or any other Christian, but to learn how to be obedient to Jesus Christ by the example that he and others set. We should learn from the example of other faithful Christians, but we can put our faith in Jesus Christ alone if we are to be saved. Verse eighteen declares, (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: I believe that Paul is talking here about those who professed to be following Jesus Christ but really were enemies of the cross of Christ. We cannot be followers of Jesus Christ and enemies of the cross, of a willingness to die to self, as well. Verse nineteen adds, Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) Paul said that those who only wanted the blessings of God without being willing to die for their faith would find only destruction. We are called to die to self and earthly desires when we take up our cross daily. Verse twenty continues, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Paul said our conversation should be about the things of heaven and not the things of this world. Verse twenty-one concludes, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Paul tells us that we should be transformed from the vile person that we are to the forgiven person that faith in Jesus Christ makes us. This will ultimately occur at the return of Jesus Christ, but we are to strive for that state daily.
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