Philippians 3: 4-7
We were just told yesterday that our flesh was cut away from the new Spiritual life we have now, so we're not to depend on the flesh, the physical world for anything.
(4) Although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
Paul will now list all his achievements, his resume:
(5) circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
(6) as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
All these things were expected of a good Jewish boy growing up in Israel to advance, to climb the ladder of success. And he succeeded.
The "dogs" he warned them against in v. 2 have nothing on him; if they are claiming authority to teach, then Paul has more credentials than they.
(7) But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Everything that gave him standing and prestige in society is what he is now saying is actually detrimental to him. It is a loss. It is what he depended on instead of Christ, which makes it all an idol.
So are we not to seek advancement in our society today?
Not if we're focusing on it instead of on Christ. Not if it is a substitute for the Spirit. Not if we're just looking to be admired by other people, instead of honored by God.
Physical things are not evil in themselves, it's our attitude toward them that determines if they draw us toward or away from God. We can use the things of this world in the power of the Spirit to promote the Kingdom of God, or we can use them instead of the Spirit and idolize them.
Like the internet: whatever you are looking for, you will find: from the very best, God-honoring content, like your church service on Sunday morning, all the way down to the most depraved and twisted porn. And everything in between. It's all there.
So when we try to get ahead in business, is it because we want more and more of this world's luxuries to spend on ourselves, or is it to increase our ability to finance God's Kingdom by giving more to the church and missionaries who are preaching the Gospel?
It all starts in our minds, our thinking processes and attitudes. How do we see things? Do we look at all the chaos and get depressed? Or do we see God using all these chaotic times to draw people to Himself, a great revival?
Do we criticize our government leaders for their totalitarian edicts? Or do we see how to use them for sharing the Gospel? How will we respond as we live through these times?
When people are in need, they're looking for an answer. Will they find it in the world's systems, or will we give to them out of God's bounty?
O my Father, please open our eyes to see how You are working in all these things that are happening all over the world. It looks very negative and dangerous, but that is just the time a hero is needed; and Your Holy Spirit in Your children makes us all super-heroes, supernatural warriors.
Father, show us how to be Your hands and feet in these changing times. Teach us how to minister to our neighbors in safe and helpful ways. Let us show Your light in these dark times.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
