"Rejoice In The Lord"; Philippians Chapter 3
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
January 1, 2019
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January 1, 2019 "Rejoice In The Lord" Philippians Chapter 3 Introduction: If, indeed, the whole book of Philippians is best described as "Paul's Epistle of Joy," then the opening lines of Chapter Three belie it. "Rejoice in the Lord" is more than a figure of speech repeated in chorus; it is a talisman to be clung to when the evaluation of the earthly church falls prey to evil, confusion and sin. "Rejoice in the Lord," is a shield against apostacy and error. It is a fortress against satan's interjections. It is what sustained an apostle who was incarcerated in a Roman prison, for even in the Philippian jail his songs rang out in the night-along with those who joined his praise. God's earthquakes of deliverance flow through such praise. Salvation is planted in the heart of the unbeliever who encounters such rejoicing. "Rejoice in the Lord" incorporates more than what is often called "worship." Overflowing hearts render a better note than orchestrated programs. "Rejoice in the Lord" requires no script, despises scrutiny, has no boundaries, knows no limits and fields a glory attained by no other means! It becomes a portal where angels tread and heaven opens wide. Children and ancients stand on common ground within its gates, for it knows no nationality, gender or age and encounters no strange language. Regardless of numbers, all who enter its doors find themselves in heaven's front row, for it erases distance and welcomes everyone who loves the Lord. Indeed, the Lord occupies the praise of His people. "Rejoice in the Lord" is not an optional suggestion, it is a command. All the while, it cannot be manufactured mechanically, for it is the product of a "welling up on the inside that must be vented on the outside." It is Spirit directed. It abandons earthly pursuits. It regards no time limits. Its exponents are David in reckless dance before the living God-he cared not about decorum. Its spontaneity is its character and its domain is a realm defined by burden removing power. The Lord inhabits the praise of His people. Paul declared he was not going to be slothful or timid, for he wanted the Philippians to be aware of certain invaders. Hence, he launched three "Bewares" and boldly denounced their practices. 1. Beware of the dogs. In the past, the Jews castigated the Gentiles by calling them "Dogs." Some Pharisees called the "half breeds" of Samaria the same. Now it is reversed, for Paul deemed those seeking to make Jewish religious practices a necessity for the early church were, in his eyes, despicable "Dogs." These are the same "Dogs" that crucified Jesus!
Because of these "crucifiers," much havoc came to these early congregations. How did these "dogs" come to such power in their home country and why did they seek to proselyte the saints? The reason is simple: "their leadership failed to correct them as they looked the 'other way' when they encountered trespasses." (Apply the following Scripture to today's religious scene.)
The characteristics of dogs are sometimes nauseating. Though they seem to be good companions and love their master---yet, they remain dogs. They will return to their own vomit. They will often bite the hand that feeds them. They will breed indiscriminatingly. They will sometimes turn on their owners. They will fight with little provocation. The growling, guttural warning along with bared teeth and raised lip is not a show of love. They are shown in the Old Testament licking the blood of Ahab and Jezebel, as well as lapping the blood of fallen prey. Almost in the same moment, they run to lick the face of a child. Beware the hypocritical smiling face which soon turns to a challenging growl! In the closing words of Revelation, there appears a remarkable passage.
2. Beware of evil workers. This too is an interesting prohibition. In this sense, it refers to teachers with a criminal intent. They masquerade as genuine, but seek to make replicas of themselves through indoctrination. Quick to infiltrate all manner of positions within the body, their intent is to rule their adherents. Even today, there are groups who clandestine themselves and seek to direct the decision-making processes of their constituents. The captives who were once set free by the Anointed One find themselves slaves again. Paul had seen their handiwork in other churches and sought to give the Philippians a "heads up." (The Roman Catholic hierarchy is a prime example, as are other religious frameworks-all of which proclaim they speak for Jesus when in reality they labor for control of parish or territories. Even in evangelical circles, there are hoops to jump through for credentialism and ladder-like stations of preeminence. Missions become an attempt to stratify one's mission field with endless "pastor's conferences" where "training sessions" turn into attempts to mold the leadership into clones of their model congregations.)
Paul, in another place, assailed such evil workers.
3. Beware the concision (the mutilators--those demanding all Christian males be Circumcised). Adherence to certain rules and regulations has always been the hallmark of Judaism, as well as denominationalism of various kinds. At this point, Paul waxes eloquently about his credentials and how he counts these accolades as rubbish. Because he had two separate lives, the great missionary bared his inner man to his fellows. Once a Hebrew of Hebrews, he studied under Gamaliel, the strictest teacher of the Levitical Law and he excelled to the highest degree. HE was trusted by the Temple authorities to the extent of being the chief eradicator of early Christians. Cruelty beyond belief was meted through the man who consented to the martyrdom of Stephen. He loosed the pit of hell upon all who crossed his path with the utmost commendations from the established religion in Jerusalem. Then, he encountered the Great Separator. In one fell sweep, Jesus changed everything in his life. The same zeal he used in persecuting Christians was now used to bless them. His old life of pleasing the Establishment faded in a moment through the glory of seeing Jesus. Now the Establishment persecuted him. He hit back with the sword of the Spirit and declared covenant Israel lay not with the Jews, but with born again believers.
Honestly, he claimed ignorance of the truth while being ranked at the pinnacle of religion (Does this apply today?). Credentialism oozes from every corner of the fleshly church. It would seem the modern church is flooded with "confidence in the flesh." It is in this aspect that Paul addressed in this passage. Is allegiance given to the Law or to Christ is the question at hand (It still is a major issue in congregations who must decide "is it to my church or is it to my Christ I owe allegiance?" Sadly, one faces the same dilemma today the Philippians faced.) Here is Paul's answer.
Look at what entails such a statement. Paul suffered the loss of his income, his place in society, his reputation, his wealth accumulation and a portion of his health. Whatever one could name as personal possession, he lost it. He valued knowing Christ and following the Spirit to be more valuable. Is one's retirement program, 401k or IRA greater than following the Spirit? (Pastor's face this issue.) Is one's family greater than following Christ? One's accumulated wealth? One's place in society? Rushing through Paul's mind must have been a myriad of things that mankind relegates as "their rights," and he answered them all.
The latter portion of Paul's answer bears heavy scrutiny: "that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness…. but that which is through faith in Christ." Faith is the antithesis to legalism. To be "in Christ" is all one needs to function in earth or in heaven. Paul found the righteousness of the Law could not compare to the righteousness found in Jesus. The "Jesus righteousness" is from God by faith-not from religions rule. It still is!
Three elements flow from these two verses: 1. "That I may know Him." The power of personal relationship supersedes Religion's, "I know about Him" or the public understanding of who He is.
To know Christ contains the element of intimacy. Pillow talk is different than "talking across the fence." He already knows all about us, so our task is to know all about Him. The Song of Solomon (Solomon's Secret) portrays the progression of the Shulamite as she learns about the King-it is a picture of our own journey. 2. The power of His Resurrection. When Jesus rose from the grave and became the "first born of the resurrection," he opened the door for all of us. Romans talks about our confession to salvation with two elements: Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead.
Just a tertiary study of Romans reveals "the power of His resurrection."
Next is, 3. The fellowship of His suffering: Relishing suffering is foreign to many Christians, but the road ahead tells of a coming time when we shall know firsthand this fellowship. Perhaps this is why our ministry is with missionaries, many of whom have suffered much for their Lord. There is a fellowship among them that goes beyond comradery to a deep understanding without words. That is the fellowship Paul was describing. Those who ministered with him knew the beating, shipwreck, stonings and imprisonments that could only be seen as the "fellowship of His suffering."
"Conformity to His death" was a vital part of Paul's reality (Observe Charles Spurgeon's essay on this subject).
Paul emptied his soul and spirit in a flood of passion, ripping aside any self-aggrandizement and revealing his inner person as he stood spiritually naked before God and man. Rare are these occasions among modern churchmen. His self-appraisal was not a review of his achievements, but of sincere revelation of his goal in life.
Verse twelve should yield a song in our hearts. "Somethings got a hold of me, that you can plainly see." Such a song ought to be a realization in all our lives. As the believer yields himself to that which Christ yearns to lay hold of in his life, a new maturity dawns in his spirit. This is covenant! Psychological counseling declares that sequestering life experiences acts as a form of self-denial. Verse thirteen is suspect to the unredeemed world, but Paul relegated his past to "a place that no longer affected his present or future." (The "albatross of the past" often hinders and torments, causing inaction and low self-esteem-not so with Paul.) The curtain had dropped over the faces of myriads of crying children, wailing wives and saddened men caused by Paul's persecution of the saints. The curtain had dropped over the many hardships he had endured for the gospel and "what might have been." His eye was on the prize.
This is what has been lost in Christendom today! This is not the goal of the church around us. The "upward call hasn't gotten hold of us!" Dead pews and sodden pulpits choke that which should beat in our hearts and beckon to our spirits! Who dares raise up his head and declare, "follow my example?"
Beginning with "Therefore," Paul addresses those who have attained a degree of understanding beyond that of a beginner. He challenges them to have the same mind he had regarding the issues at hand and join him in being unified with him.
Knowing the divisive methods of some who ventured into the early congregations, Paul exits this third chapter by warning, once again, about interlopers who position themselves among the flock. His comments mimic Peter's epistles and Jude's treatise. Their descriptions are lucid and leave no rock unturned.
Observe Peter's warnings.
Because there was a proliferation of these false ones, Jude abandons his "common faith" message to warn about them.
Are there some among us today? I believe the answer is, "Yes." Though they are subtler than in Paul's day, once again we must "beware." Let Paul's warning be our guide. Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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Last modified: 02/07/2019