On my account, God writes righteous.Now, the problem of being righteous by my efforts, by my works, I may be doing right, I may have lived all of my life up to this point by the rules, having never violated, sailing along in good shape, and there is written across my name, righteous. He is my Savior. He like other Christians lives in the overlap of the ages; he, too, stands between the "already" and the "not yet", and consummated salvation is not yet his. "Be anxious [or be careful] for nothing; but in everything" this is the resource "in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God." It is not one who cherished a trust in the Lord's fidelity spite of what was visible. And though I may have a fleshly rite, if my heart was after the things of the flesh, then what happened to me physically has no bearing upon my relationship with God at all.The same can be said of any of the other rites that we have within the church. It is not love growing less but more, and this abounding in intelligence and knowledge, which could not be looked for in saints just beginning their career. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. If by any means: The expression "If by any means" or "If in some way" seems to hint at doubt or uncertainty in Pauls mind that he would take part in the resurrection. So when Paul uses the word in Php_3:12 , he is saying that he is not by any means a complete Christian but is for ever pressing on. Brethren, be followers together of me ( Philippians 3:17 ). He is also reaching out for the things which are in front. We have not yet attained, are not already perfect; there is still much wanting in all our duties, and graces, and comforts. At the same time he intimates his value for their love, and takes care that his was independence founded on dependence, an independence of circumstances which finds its strength in simple and absolute dependence upon God. He makes it clear that he continues to pursue his goal just as a runner might continue to run in order to receive the prize at the end of the race. For, let me ask, what is our title to communion? 2. This is the righteousness whose source is in God; it is also by faith of Christ, and not through the law, which, of course, would have man's righteousness if it could. NASB I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Reasonings on such matters are in general miserably wrong. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more [If anyone might have something to boast in the flesh. THE WORTHLESSNESS OF THE LAW AND THE VALUE OF CHRIST ( Php_3:8-9 ). The Message Update. The effect upon the individual is usually pride and the developing of a judgmental attitude.As the Pharisee who went in before the Lord and said, "Father, I thank you that I am not as other men. "Let your requests," whatever they may be, "be made known unto God;" and not only so, but "with thanksgiving." The question is at once settled as a matter of faith. He no longer existed. The author of Exalting Jesus in Luke is Thabiti M. Anyabwile Philippians - Ryan Kelly 2014-07-31 The book of Philippians challenges Christians to remember their true identity as citizens of Gods kingdom, especially when faced with difficult circumstances and painful trials. This is what he did, and accordingly this is the source, not merely of a firm faith and confidence as to the issue, but of present joy and all-overcoming power. It has been hard for you to kick against the pricks." The peace which God has in everything He will communicate to keep you in everything; and not only so, but the heart, being free from care, will enter into what pleases Him. (i) He says that he is trying to grasp that for which he has been grasped by Christ. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. "My desire is to know Him, and to be found in Him." All we want is, that the eye of faith be a little open; but it is only Christ before the eye that keeps it open. (i) We worship in the Spirit of God; or, we worship God in the Spirit. It was not a reference to a kindly family pet, but it was a reference to those mean wild dogs that roamed Israel. c. The Lord Jesus Christ: The title Lord was also applied to the Roman Caesar. This is the unfailing secret of it all the true source of humility in service. It is not at all a question of ecclesiastical order, in which naturally the chief guides would have front rank. The one thing that suits is to pursue the glory before him, till he is in the same glory along with Christ. We are undone without a righteousness wherein to appear before God, for we are guilty. *There is no reasonable doubt that the received text is wrong, followed by the Authorised Version ("of," instead of "from" the dead). He had to divest himself of every human claim of honour that he might accept in complete humility the mercy of God in Jesus Christ. Such did, such was, Christ. (i) He had been circumcised when he was eight days old. [Note: See Gerald B. Stanton, Kept from the Hour, pp. "You remember Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, chapter 5 of Matthew, said, "Except your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven." They were those who denied that there was any law at all in the Christian life. So these Gnostics taught that gluttony and adultery and homosexuality and drunkenness were of no importance because they affect only the body which is of no importance. Be of good cheer. They may have been Gnostics. He associates Timothy with himself, not merely, as elsewhere, himself apostle and Timothy in some other relation, but here conjointly "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ." "Not," says he, "that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am," this is the great design of the epistle; it was not truth that was made known simply, but experience that was grown into "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. This is what the Lord intended for me, to be with Him in His kingdom, to share with Him His glory. i. They want to tell you that you ought to be prosperous, you ought to be successful, you ought to be living in luxury, you are God's child, you ought to be indulging your flesh. But supposing it possible to be clothed with the righteousness of the law, he would not have it now. In the Bible the dog always stands for that than which nothing can be lower. 9 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: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. as a popular and familiar mode of expression (suitable to the persons addressed), according to which the expressions . "I have attained, I have achieved. Thus the true bearing of the passage is, that from the first the eye of faith is fixed steadily on the end of the journey. Not the passive side of the Christian as being in the world, but the active comes before us. They had so much the more to do because Christ had done all for their souls. He is just about to send Timothy from himself that he might know about them. Paul was probably speaking of the Rapture. Let us see to it that we walk according to the place which God has given us. "Finally," says he, "my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. There is no question that there will be differences of rewards at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Paul has just attacked the Jewish teachers and insisted that it is the Christians, not the Jews, who are the truly circumcised and covenant people. If, then, they really loved him, "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if there be any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies," he would venture to seek another proof of it. B. When they returned from the exile, it was from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah that the nucleus of the reborn nation was formed ( Ezra 4:1). But supposing it possible to be with Him His glory they were those who denied that there will differences... 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