In our continuing commitment to learn how to study the bible, let us observe something fresh in today's passage: the regularity with which some words are used. Take a pencil and circle or underline the word "Christ" in this passage. If you are using the NIV version, you will circle four “Christ’s” and four pronouns referring to him in this short passage. Now underline the number of times the word “know” or phrases that allude to knowing. Noticing details like this helps you find the author’s punch thought in a passage. The punch thought is what we shall reflect on today.
When Paul repeatedly points to 'knowing Christ", he wants to leave his readers in no doubt as to what he is talking about. He is neither bemoaning his suffering (which we sometimes like to emphasize when we read this particular passage. As we noticed earlier, he has come to terms with his imprisonment and in fact sees it as a way to advance the gospel). Nor does he complain over the loss of his Jewish credentials (as much as his achievements prove a point to his opponents, he does not want a pity party over his losses). . He only mentions the things above in vs 5-6 because he is also giving a warning against putting confidence in them. To emphasize the centrality of his message he repeats the references to Christ over and over again. Without a shadow of doubt, only Christ matters now.
What’s my point? When we surrender all that we once held dear (you know that song?), we are not to keep looking back to it nostalgically otherwise were are still in bondage of those things we once held dear and can easily go back to them. Remember the Israelites in the desert? They missed the cucumbers and melons of Egypt and were unable to focus on going to the Promised Land. You know what happened to them.
Secondly, even Christian successes can be a threat especially to well meaning, serving Christians. Yesterday I quoted in part a teacher who says, “In the spiritual life, no one can afford to rest on their laurels. That is a sure recipe for falling”. He continues to say that attainments are like the manna given to the Israelites in the desert, only good for the day (Ex 16:4, 16:20). Past attainments do not place us in a position of merit, and are no reason to slow down our pursuit of knowing God…no matter how far we have advanced, we are never out of danger. We must continually be active in our transformation into Christ likeness.
Paul is not merely calling us to have a head knowledge of Christ. He is talking about being changed to the point where we behave as Jesus would in any given situation. If we are honest with ourselves, many of us will acknowledge we have personality weaknesses that that constantly rub others wrong. You may able to preach powerfully, a great writer, a prayer warrior, a skilled worker, a faithful spouse. But our best moments are more like mountain top experiences that do not necessarily deliver us from our personality flaws . We are not to settle and call these flaws “thorns in the flesh”.
When Paul repeatedly points to 'knowing Christ", he wants to leave his readers in no doubt as to what he is talking about. He is neither bemoaning his suffering (which we sometimes like to emphasize when we read this particular passage. As we noticed earlier, he has come to terms with his imprisonment and in fact sees it as a way to advance the gospel). Nor does he complain over the loss of his Jewish credentials (as much as his achievements prove a point to his opponents, he does not want a pity party over his losses). . He only mentions the things above in vs 5-6 because he is also giving a warning against putting confidence in them. To emphasize the centrality of his message he repeats the references to Christ over and over again. Without a shadow of doubt, only Christ matters now.
What’s my point? When we surrender all that we once held dear (you know that song?), we are not to keep looking back to it nostalgically otherwise were are still in bondage of those things we once held dear and can easily go back to them. Remember the Israelites in the desert? They missed the cucumbers and melons of Egypt and were unable to focus on going to the Promised Land. You know what happened to them.
Secondly, even Christian successes can be a threat especially to well meaning, serving Christians. Yesterday I quoted in part a teacher who says, “In the spiritual life, no one can afford to rest on their laurels. That is a sure recipe for falling”. He continues to say that attainments are like the manna given to the Israelites in the desert, only good for the day (Ex 16:4, 16:20). Past attainments do not place us in a position of merit, and are no reason to slow down our pursuit of knowing God…no matter how far we have advanced, we are never out of danger. We must continually be active in our transformation into Christ likeness.
Paul is not merely calling us to have a head knowledge of Christ. He is talking about being changed to the point where we behave as Jesus would in any given situation. If we are honest with ourselves, many of us will acknowledge we have personality weaknesses that that constantly rub others wrong. You may able to preach powerfully, a great writer, a prayer warrior, a skilled worker, a faithful spouse. But our best moments are more like mountain top experiences that do not necessarily deliver us from our personality flaws . We are not to settle and call these flaws “thorns in the flesh”.
A better Christ-like life is possible. If you doubt this, follow the story of Peter the Apostle from the gospels, through the book of Acts (15), to the references that Paul makes of him in his letters, to the epistles that he (Peter) has written. You will see a man who struggles with a strong ego, who gets in trouble over his abrasive personality but who is progressively transformed by Christ. One thing Peter never does is to give up. He quicky sees his own errors and repents (remember repenting is not remorse, it means to stop doing the wrong thing and start doing the right thing). This is the kind of atitude in which the Lord finds fertile ground for transformation (as well as being entrusted with leadership). That is what knowing Christ is all about: relentlessly pursuing him till we are changed to be more like him.
As you will notice in the next passage, Paul tells us he is yet to know Christ fully, though we can see from his attitude that he is far advanced in that goal. But it is a lifetime goal.
My question for you to reflect on today is, where are you in the continuum of pursuing Christ likeness? Are you intentional in growing into a better disciple of Christ? Or have you become comfortable with your weaknesses?
My question for you to reflect on today is, where are you in the continuum of pursuing Christ likeness? Are you intentional in growing into a better disciple of Christ? Or have you become comfortable with your weaknesses?
Thank you for this blog. It's always a good reminder to know that we have a lifetime goal to become more like Christ. He is not done with us yet.
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