Lesson 20: Joy’s determination
Philippians 3:1-21 www.bible.com/bible/59/php.3
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Our verses for today teach us the need to become mature in our Christian life. In our first verse, the way we are to think refers to the verses before this, discussed in our last lesson – pressing on to the goal of being like Jesus.
*What is the most important goal in your life right now?
Each of us has different dreams, though family, job, success, are usually named by most people. Paul urges us to follow his example. Why would he not ask us to follow Jesus’ example? This is probably because most of us want to SEE someone living this kind of life, and Jesus is no longer here on earth for us to see. Paul was a living example to these people. You can also find living examples of Christians trusting God this way – and one of your goals should be to BECOME such a living example for others around you.
Being a Godly example for others does not mean you must be living a perfect life. It means you live a life of complete surrender to Jesus at all times – praising Him for who He is, thanking Him for all things in your life, confessing any sin or failure immediately, living a life aware of possible temptations around you and seeking His help the moment temptation arises. The only way we can possibly live this way is to spend time with Jesus EVERY day in Bible study and prayer.
In our verses, we read both of failure and success in living this kind of life. First, failure comes from our own desires and can never be blamed on anyone else, not even Satan. We fail when our god is our belly – our own physical and earthly desires. Satan uses the opportunities WE give him to attack us. Second, success comes from knowing who we are in Jesus Christ and the certain hope He has given us through His promises. We succeed when we trust Him no matter what our human eyes tell us about our current circumstances.
Our determination must be for Jesus and for what He has promised us for eternity. In Him is where we find all our needs and heart’s desires supplied while we live here. Please know, when your determination is set on Jesus Himself rather than what you WANT from Him, you will be amazed both at what you begin to desire and what He gives you. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be supplied to you” (Matthew 6:33).