Philippians 3:15-21
15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
First of all, I’d like to mention that the word perfect in this case is to mean mature. Paul is imploring those of us that have grown in faith of Christ should maintain this attitude of press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus as we talked about yesterday. It is with this attitude and in this maturity we are to maintain and increase our faith, not dwindle. We should also constantly pursue God and ask Him to show us our character defects, so we may correct our ways to better glorify and serve Him. I think about David asking God to search his heart and reveal anything not of God within him. This is how we should respect and love our Lord, always seeking to be better for Him.
As Paul begins to explain those not of the Kingdom, he tells us weeping. How often do we weep over or are concerned about those who have not come to know Christ as their savior? I’ll admit I struggle with this. I’m not always as concerned as I should be, probably because I get caught up in my own issues that I neglect others. It’s a work in progress.
Appetite: sexual promiscuity
glory in their shame: boasting in their sinfulness (ever hear someone brag about how drunk they got or are going to get?)
set their minds on earthly things: focusing on the rewards on this earth instead of treasures stored up in heaven.
Us citizens of the Kingdom have been freed from these burdens. Granted, we often struggle as we are still physically in this world, so we are constantly tempted by these things, especially if any of them lay claim in our past. Like any addiction, we will always have a predisposition to it. If we were born into sin, how much is that ingrained in us and how easy is it for us to look back as if we miss it? Certainly, we did/do those things because it feels good. We get high from not just drugs but anything: anger, codependency, alcohol, tobacco, sex, pornography, etc. We constantly chase a high that is never as good as the first time and we always hope it will be better than the last. early in my recovery I discovered this truth: Christ is the only high you can chase that gets better every single time.
What gets you high?
