Phlippians 3:15 says, 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.  The thus minded that Paul was calling the Christians to be, and that is true for us today as followers of Christ, was to be united in love for each other and God through their personal relationship with Christ.  We cannot follow false teachers nor be at war with each other as Christians and still be effective Christians.  Verse sixteen states, Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.  Paul told the believers at Philippi if they proclaimed to put their faith in Christ that this should determine how they walked, or lived, in the world.  It is easy enough for a person to say that he or she is a Christian, but it is the way that the person lives will really prove the truth of this statement.  This is not to say that a person cannot be a Christian and still sin at times, but that if a Christian does, that he or she will realize this and repent and turn to God again.  Verse seventeen declares, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  Paul told the Christians at Philippi to use him as example.  At that time, he was in prison, not living in a mansion that he had decided that God wanted him to have.  If we are going to pattern our Christian life after someone, the first One to pattern it after would be Christ, but then Paul would be a much better example than most of those today who proclaim a prosperity gospel.  We are called to be servants of Christ and not to be rich people because God wants us to be happy.  Our happiness in the world should be because of our relationship with Christ if we are His followers, and not because we expect God to materially bless us.  Verse eighteen adds, (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:  Paul then issues a warning that many of those who professed to be Christians were not really following Christ and said that this had caused him to be heartbroken, as it should us today as Christians.  Verse nineteen continues, Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)  Paul said that these people who professed to believe in Christ but had not truly put their faith in Him were doomed to destruction,  Paul said that their god was their belly, or the material things of this earth.  There are still many people who are that way today.  Verse twenty declares, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  Paul told the believers at Philippi and us today that if we are followers of Christ then we should be talking to God for direction in life.  Paul may have said that they could us him for an example of how to live an obedient life, but then said that they should talk to God for direction in their lives.  We cannot be effective Christians if we simply pattern our life after another Christian, no matter how successful they may be.  We must individually ask God what He would have us to do.  Verse twenty-one adds, 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 said that once we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord that God through the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit would change us into what we should be.  We cannot transform ourselves.  Only God can do that, and we must look to Him for guidance daily if we are to be effective followers of Christ.

Philippians 3:8 says, Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  Paul was very explicit in his view of worldly things versus his relationship with Christ.  He said he counted all his credentials, his birth into the Jewish faith, his studies, and his position as but dung so that he might win Christ.  Now, we likewise must consider everything as dung, or less than nothing, in order to gain a relationship with Christ.  We cannot put all our faith in Christ and still attempt to hold on to the things of this world.  Verse nine adds, 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 said that he found in Christ the true righteousness, and that it was not based on Paul's goodness but the goodness of Christ.  We will never do enough works, even if they are done in the name of God, to be righteous by our own merits.  The only way to attain righteousness with God is to accept Jesus Christ as ones personal Savior and Lord.  Verse ten continues, 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 just about Christ.  We can know all the facts about Christ, but until we know Him personally, it doesn't matter.  Paul said that he wanted to be made conformable to the death of Christ.  I believe that this meant that he wanted to be willing to die for his faith in Christ, and we must be the same way today as followers of Christ.  Verse eleven declares, If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  I don't believe that when Paul said this that he was implying that faith in Christ was just one possible way to attain resurrection from the dead, but that he meant that all his actions would be consistent with his faith in Christ, which is the only way to attain resurrection from the dead.  Verse twelve adds, 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 was not perfect, but he followed after Christ so that through his faith in Christ that Christ could make him perfect in his relationship with God.  As followers of Christ today, we are not made perfect by our own actions, but we can only follow after Christ in our imperfection, knowing that only through Him can we be restored to righteousness before God.  Verse thirteen says, 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 count himself to have gained perfection, but knew that all he could do was to forget the past and reach ahead to whatever lay ahead by faith in Christ.  This is all that we can do today as well.  Verse fourteen adds, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Paul said that he pressed toward the mark for the high calling of God in Christ.  We today can do no more than this.  Verse fifteen concludes, 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 tells us that God will reveal to us our status with Him.

Philippians 3;1 says, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.  Paul asked that the Christians rejoice in the Lord.  He said that to write what he had to them was not grievous to him, and that for them it was safe.  The world that Paul lived in was not safe for Christians, just as it is not safe in many parts of the world for Christians today, but Paul still called for them to rejoice.  Verse two declares, Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.  Paul was not speaking of literal dogs, but of those who were false teachers, professing to be Christians without really having a relationship with Christ.  He continued to warn them to beware of evil workers and those who sowed contention.  We today as followers of Christ need to be the same way.  There are many people who profess to be Christians who do not really have a personal relationship with Christ, and they often proclaim what they believe to be the gospel.  We must know what God's word says in order to keep from being led astray.  Verse three adds, For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  Paul said that the real people of God were those who put their faith in Jesus Christ and not in physical acts.  Circumcision was a physical sign of being a part of God's people, but it had to be more than a physical act for it to have meaning.  Paul said that those who put their faith in Christ, and not just physical facts, were the truly circumcised, or people of God.  Verse four declares, Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:  Paul then said if any person could have faith in the flesh, he could.  Verse five adds, Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;  Then verse six concludes, Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  Paul had all the credentials that a Jew could have.  We may have all the earthly credentials that a person can have today to be viewed as a Christian, but if we don't have a personal relationship with Christ, it doesn't matter.  Verse seven states, But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  All our earthly credentials should be counted but loss for Christ, just as Paul said his were.

Philippians 2:19 says, But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.  Pau said that he hoped to send Timothy to them soon, so that he could be comforted when he knew their state.  He wanted to know for sure that they were continuing to follow Christ faithfully.  We today as believers like to hear about the good works of other believers as well.  Verse twenty states, For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.  Paul said there was no one else likeminded with him who he could send to them.  Hopefully today, there are many likeminded Christians that we could send to others as our representatives to other churches if we could not go and had a need to hear from them.  Verse twenty-one declares, For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.  This was an indictment of many of those around Paul, who were evidently professing to be fellow believers.  All sought their own way and not the way of Jesus Christ.  Today, would we be Timothy or one of  the others seeking their own way?  Verse twenty-two adds, But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.  Paul said that they knew Timothy was like a son to him in faith.  Timothy had served faithfully with Paul, even if he hadn't gotten off to a good start in their relationship.  We cannot allow what we may see as past failures on the part of other Christians to allow us to give up on them forever.  Verse twenty-three continues, Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.  Once more, Paul had a plan, but he didn't say that the was going to send Timothy, only that he hoped to do so.  We cannot make our plans and demand that God indorse them, but must always make them contingent on the will of God.  Verse twenty-four says, But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.  Paul said that he trusted in the Lord that he himself might also come to them shortly.  We are not wrong to trust that our plans will come to pass, as long as we make them contingent on God's will.  Verse twenty-five states, Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.  Paul said that the had felt it necessary to send Epaphroditus to them, though he was a like a brother and was a companion to him.  We today cannot allow selfish desires to keep others from going to do God's work, no matter how close they may be to us.  Verse twenty-six adds, For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.  Paul said that Epaphroditus wanted to come to them to show them that he was okay after they had heard that he had been sick.  We should always want to allay the fears of others if they are concerned about us, by whatever method God puts at our disposal.  Verse twenty-seven declares, For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.  Paul said that Epaphroditus had indeed been very sick but that God had healed him, which was a great comfort to Paul.  We also should be saddened by the sufferings of our fellow believers and should be filled with joy if God heals them.  Verse twenty-eight adds, I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.  Paul said that he sent Epaphroditus to them more carefully, so that they might all rejoice.   Verse twenty-nine continues, Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:  Paul told them to receive Epaphroditus in the Lord, with all gladness.  No matter who they are, when a fellow believer comes to us today, we need to receive him or her in the joy of the Lord.  Verse thirty concludes, Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.  Paul said that Epaphroditus had nearly died in service toward the Lord, doing for Paul some of the things that the Christians at Philippi had not done.  For this reason alone, they should welcome him.  We should pray that our fellow believers today are not over working because we are not doing what God has called us to do. 

Philippians 2:12 says, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  Paul called the Christians at Philippi his beloved.  This was not a romantic term, but a term meaning that they were deeply affectionate to him through their mutual faith in Christ.  He commended them for their obedience while he was with them, and this wasn't obedience to him, but obedience to Christ.  Paul commended them even further that their obedience to Christ had even grown in his absence.  He then called on them to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.  This did not mean that they were to make their own plan of salvation, but that they were to continue to work on growing in their faith, while submitting completely to the Holy Spirit.  Verse thirteen states, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  Paul then clarifies that it is not their own work that brings salvation, but God working through them.  It is God's will that every person be saved, and He has given us a way to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  Then, God calls each person to his or her own task in the accomplishment of God's will.  Verse fourteen declares, Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  This is such a simple statement and should be one that those who are following Christ should not have to be told to do, yet we too often hear of murmurings and disputes between Christians.  Too often we allow our opinions to become what we feel is God's law, and we murmur about those who do not agree with us.  Verse fifteen adds, That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  Paul said that the Christians at Philippi, and everywhere else for all time, were to do the things that he had just told them to do so that they would be blameless and harmless before God.  He also said that they were called on to do this in a crooked and perverse generation.  As followers of Christ, we will always live in a crooked and perverse generation, but we can never afford to come down to their level.  If there is nothing different about Christians, how can we expect the world to want what we have spiritually?  Verse sixteen declares, Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain  Paul was asking them to hold fast to the gospel of Christ, so that he would not have run and labored in vain.  Paul devoted his life to spreading the gospel after he accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, and he had reached the Christians at Philippi with that gospel.  If they proved to have not really accepted the salvation of Christ or did not allow it to control their lives, then Paul felt that what the had done would have been in vain.  We today as followers of Christ must hold on to the word of God if we are to be obedient servants of God.  Verse seventeen adds, Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.  Paul said if he was offered up as a sacrifice for their service and faith that he would rejoice with them.  Paul could not offer himself for their salvation, but he was willing to lay down his life that they might know the gospel, and he would rejoice with those who accepted the gospel, even if it cost him his life.  We need that same dedication today.  Verse eighteen concludes, For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.  Paul asked only that the Christians at Philippi rejoice with him.  He was under arrest, but he was still rejoicing in his salvation.  We need to live and speak in such a way today that people will see the joy of our salvation.  Complaining and murmuring will never accomplish this.

Philippians 2:1 says, If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  Paul is basically stating truths as questions, or we might say asking hypothetical questions.  He was not doubting the truth of these things, nor should we ever today.  Verse two declares, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Paul said that if they accepted the truth of what he had just said, then he would hope that they would be like minded and of one accord.  If we today believe in the truth of salvation through Christ, then we should also be likeminded and of one accord.  Verse three adds, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Paul called on the Christians at Philippi to not act out of strife or vainglory, but to act by putting their fellow believers above themselves.  There is no room in the church for strife and self glorification.  We must always put what is best for our fellow Christians above what is best for our self.  Verse four states, Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Paul tells us that we are not to be concerned just with whether what is going on is to be most profitable to us, but that we should be just as concerned with what is best for others as well.  Verse five declares, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Paul calls on us to be like minded with Christ.  Verse six adds, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  Then verse seven adds, But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  Paul tells us that even though Jesus was an equal with God the Father, being a part of the triune nature of God, that He was willing to become a man, and with the nature of a servant.  If Jesus Christ was willing to do this, then we should likewise be willing to give up anything that we have so that God's will might be done in our life.  Verse eight continues, And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  I have said this before, but I believe that Jesus became totally human, as capable of sinning as any other person, but by faith He did not sin.  If He were not capable of sinning, then He really could not die as a sacrifice for those who are and do.  I know many people disagree and say that Jesus was incapable of sinning, but if so, then we are called to follow a false standard in my opinion.  Verse nine proclaims, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  Because Jesus lived without giving in to sin, He is exalted above all other names.  We can only be followers of Christ and can never do what He did.  I also believe that we have the capability of living without sin, but we never live up to that capability. so the only way to be redeemed is through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse ten adds, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  There is coming a day when every knee will bow to Jesus Christ, even those who deny His existence.  Verse eleven continues, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Not only will every knee bow, but every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord for the glory of the Heavenly Father.  Since we are eventually all going to do so, wouldn't it be better to do so in this life while it can still bring us salvation?

Philippians 1:22 says,  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  Paul said that if he lived, that proclaiming the gospel was the fruit of his labor, but that he was not sure whether he would choose life or death.  As long as we live as followers of Christ, doing what God has called us to do should be the fruit of our labor, no matter how bad our situation in life may be.  We should never forget that Christ lives through us, and that we are to do all things for His glory.  Verse twenty-three declares, For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  Paul said he was torn between two good things as Matthew Henry states.  His desire was to just go on to be with Christ in glory, but he was not putting his desire first.  I am sure that by this time Paul was growing weary physically and maybe mentally of all the struggles, but he had not given up on doing what God had for him to do.  We cannot give up on life as Christians just because it may become very difficult.  Verse twenty-four adds, Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  Paul said that though his going on to be with Christ would be better for him, that his continuing to live would be better for the people at Philippi.  He would still be able to offer them encouragement, even if he was imprisoned.  Also, his life would still be a testimony to the world because of his faith.  We need to have our lives to be a testimony to God as long as we live, and we should live in such a way that we will also be of benefit to other Christians and a witness to the lost.  Verse twenty-five states, And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;  Paul said that he was confident that he would live and continue to be with them by faith for the continuance of their joy of faith.  Our faith today should bring us joy, and should also benefit our fellow Christians.  Verse twenty-six adds, That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.  Paul said that he knew that the Christians at Philippi were looking forward to him coming to them, and he felt certain that he would be able to.  As long as we live, we should never give up on looking forward to doing what we feel God wants us to do, no matter what our current situation may be.  Verse twenty-seven declares,Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  Having just said that he was confident that he would come to them again, Paul now asks that they speak and live in such a way that the gospel would be glorified, whether he got to come to them or not.  Paul still realized that it was up to God whether he got to go to Philippi, and it is up to Him where we go as Christians today if we are being totally obedient to Christ.  Paul said either way that he wanted them to live for the glory of Christ.  I believe that as followers of Christ that we should make sure that the things that we say and do are consistent with our faith in Christ.  Verse twenty-eight states, And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.  Paul told them to not be terrified by their adversaries, since it was a testament to their salvation and a witness to the perdition of their adversaries.  We need that same type faith today, not being afraid of anything that the world may throw at us.  Verse twenty-nine adds, For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;  Paul said that Christians were not to only believe in Christ as their Savior and Lord, but were to suffer with him as well.  This does not apply just to the Christians at Philippi, but to all Christians of all ages.  Verse thirty concludes,  Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.  Paul said that though he was still in conflict with the world that he wanted them to hear and believe what he was telling them.