15. SETTING MINDS ON HEAVENLY THINGS (PHIL 3:17-21)

15. SETTING MINDS ON HEAVENLY THINGS (PHIL 3:17-21):

After instructing about pressing on toward the goals, Apostle Paul addresses the Philippians as brothers and tells them to join in imitating him, and keep their eyes on those who walk according to the example they have in them. Paul was very confident of his talk and walk that he is following Christ, obliging himself to the Word of God, and that makes him say to the recipients to follow his footsteps as those who are already good role models to them in faith and deed.

At the same time, Paul worries that for many, of whom he had often told them and then told them even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. Many were with them and heard of the teachings, but they hold on to something that is not aligned with the Word of God, but just to establish their selfish interests, which makes them be against the Gospel and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ in the cross for the redemption of mankind. The deviation of those who are against Christ and the truth will lead to destruction, and they preach and teach not to proclaim the truth, but for their own gratification, and they boast themselves, though they don’t know the truth, and their minds are fully focused on the material things of the world.

Paul affirms Philippians that their citizenship is in heaven, and from it they await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform their lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. The believers have a bigger perspective that there is an eternal life, after this life on earth, which is very temporary. Citizenship is very much necessary for a person to live in a country, and heavenly citizenship is assured for the believers through the belief in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and we wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus who will righteously judge every one of us according to our deeds. He will also transform and renew our mortal bodies to the glorious bodies which will never perish by His sovereignty and omnipotence, which He executes throughout the generations.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection:

1.      Whom does Paul refer to imitate? Why?

2.      What does Paul mean to the Philippians by mentioning the example they have in them?

3.      What does Paul worry about?

4.      How some of them were enemies of the cross of Christ?

5.      What will happen to the enemies of the cross of Christ?

6.      Why were the enemies of the cross of Christ destroyed?

7.      How is the citizenship of the believers in heaven? What was its significance?

8.      What will the Lord Jesus Christ transform?

9.      How will the Lord Jesus Christ transform our bodies?

10.  How shall we follow the good examples amidst us?

11.  How shall we be a good example?

How shall we retain our citizenship in heaven?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

16. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PEOPLE (PHIL 4:1-3)

16. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PEOPLE (PHIL 4:1-3): After teaching about the valuable principles for the practical Christian living by following the higher values and Lord Jesus Christ, Paul encourages the Philippians by writing that therefore, his brothers, whom he loves and longs for, his joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, his beloved. Paul affirms how close he is with them in his heart, though he is far away from them, by calling them brothers, by expressing how much he loves them and yearns for them, by considering them to be his happiness and reward because of his work towards them, and overall by calling them beloved. There were some deviations and false perceptions that were spreading in the church, and Paul had already instructed to press on toward their Goal, which is in the Lord Jesus Christ, and he once again emphasizes being well established in the ways of the Lord by following His words. Paul then entreats Euodia, and he entreats Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Euodia a...
Read more

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS : AUTHOR, DATE, and TIME: Apostle Paul (Phil 1:1) is considered to be the author based on the Internal and External evidence. Most probably, Paul would have written the book of Philippians while he was first imprisoned (Phil 1:13, 14) by the Romans in 61 A.D (Some others state that Paul may have written Philippians while he was imprisoned in Ephesus by 53-55 A.D., and also Paul may have written it while he was imprisoned in Caesarea during 57-59 A.D.) RECIPIENTS:   - People of the City of Philippi. The City is named after King Philip II of Macedonia, the Father of Alexander the Great. The City is Prosperous and resembles the Roman colonies, so the citizens take pride in it. Paul writes to the believers of the city that their citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:21). Many believers in Philip are retired military men who were given land in the military regimen. There weren’t enough Jews to construct a Synagogue, and there wasn’t any t...
Read more

7. LOOKING INTO OTHERS’ INTERESTS (PHIL 2:1-4)

7. LOOKING INTO OTHERS’ INTERESTS (PHIL 2:1-4): After writing about the importance of living for God, Paul emphasizes that if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, they shall complete his joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Paul reminds the believers about some of the good characteristics that they have had and wishes that they should continue having them through the genuine fellowship with one another, for making his joy full. Paul wishes that they should have their life’s direction and purpose that is built based on Christ, an attitude of supporting one another with true love, working together with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in them, and having a sense of belonging with one another by understanding each other. Paul then instructs to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than themselves....
Read more