Follow the Example: Philippians 3:17-19
“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.” Philippians 3:17-19
Paul had an amazing personal testimony. He dedicated the previous sixteen verses in this chapter to his personal story. Jesus Christ had radically changed him.
He found a surpassing value in his relationship with Jesus Christ for which he was willing to loose everything in his former life. He let go of his past life and fully embraced his new life in Christ. He was determined to lay hold of every blessing and benefit of walking with Jesus Christ in the Spirit.
Now, in these three verses he admonished every Christian to follow his example and that of other believers with a similar story. The Christian life works if you work it!
But you cannot remain passive. You cannot be double minded. You cannot give your flesh an opportunity.
Paul then warns that there are many who started well, only to turn their backs on Jesus Christ. They become enemies of the cross of Christ.
Verse 19 is very sobering; “whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.” What is the true testimony of their life? What kind of fruit are they producing?
Shortly, they defend and embrace shameful sins and set their minds on the things of the world. It is impossible to distinguish them from non Christian’s.
True salvation always produces the fruit of a transformed life. The Bible gives no guarantee of salvation to anyone who says they belief in Christ but live an ungodly life. Saving faith is transforming faith.
These three verses admonish us to pick the right godly examples to follow. Become an imitator of Christ and learn from the example of those who walk with Jesus.
A good practice is found in Hebrews 12:1-2. Learn from the great cloud of faithful witnesses, but fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. In the end, people will let you down, but Jesus never falters.
As a young believer, I had a Christian man that I greatly respected and admired. I looked up to him as a spiritual example. He later walked away from Jesus for several years. It crushed me!
I humbly went to him and lovingly confronted him about his sinful ways. It was difficult to do, but it was the right thing to do. I was not willing to concede to his deception, excuses or self justification. I was respectful but firm. That encounter planted seeds for his eventual repentance and return to Christ.
But that encounter was also important for me because it unmasked the deceitfulness of sin. I knew only too well that I was a candidate for the same shameful fall. I did not want his story to become my story.
God used it in my life as a huge warning. It motivated me to tighten up my boundaries and to fix my eyes completely on Jesus.
I walked away determined to win the battles within me. That encounter added fuel to my own freedom quest and longing to walk in the Spirit.
It set me on the Philippians 3:7-16 path. I needed Jesus to become my top passion and God’s Word to become my foundation. I wanted to know Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.
I had to repent, confess and pull down some sinful strongholds in my own life. Then I had to silence the accuser of the brethren by forgiving and forgetting my past. Then it was time to “press on” and embrace my new life in Christ.
This sanctification process encompassed my first fifteen years of walking with Jesus. It was an intense battle, but it was worth it!
I am far from perfect, but completeness “in Christ” has come. I have left my Egypt behind and entered the promised land of unhindered fellowship with Jesus and walking in the Spirit.
We need testimonies like this! Every believer needs to know they can embrace and live in all spiritual blessings in heavenly places “in Christ.” The prayers of Paul in Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21, and Colossians 1:9-14 can happen in your life.
Let me be blunt; if it is unattainable in this life, the Bible is a lie, the Christian life is a farce and we are forever stuck in sin and failure.
I reject that notion! Rather, I choose to walk the Philippians 3:7-16 path! I admonish you to do the same! This is the story of Paul and many others. It can also become your story.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“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.” Philippians 3:17-19
Paul had an amazing personal testimony. He dedicated the previous sixteen verses in this chapter to his personal story. Jesus Christ had radically changed him.
He found a surpassing value in his relationship with Jesus Christ for which he was willing to loose everything in his former life. He let go of his past life and fully embraced his new life in Christ. He was determined to lay hold of every blessing and benefit of walking with Jesus Christ in the Spirit.
Now, in these three verses he admonished every Christian to follow his example and that of other believers with a similar story. The Christian life works if you work it!
But you cannot remain passive. You cannot be double minded. You cannot give your flesh an opportunity.
Paul then warns that there are many who started well, only to turn their backs on Jesus Christ. They become enemies of the cross of Christ.
Verse 19 is very sobering; “whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.” What is the true testimony of their life? What kind of fruit are they producing?
Shortly, they defend and embrace shameful sins and set their minds on the things of the world. It is impossible to distinguish them from non Christian’s.
True salvation always produces the fruit of a transformed life. The Bible gives no guarantee of salvation to anyone who says they belief in Christ but live an ungodly life. Saving faith is transforming faith.
These three verses admonish us to pick the right godly examples to follow. Become an imitator of Christ and learn from the example of those who walk with Jesus.
A good practice is found in Hebrews 12:1-2. Learn from the great cloud of faithful witnesses, but fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. In the end, people will let you down, but Jesus never falters.
As a young believer, I had a Christian man that I greatly respected and admired. I looked up to him as a spiritual example. He later walked away from Jesus for several years. It crushed me!
I humbly went to him and lovingly confronted him about his sinful ways. It was difficult to do, but it was the right thing to do. I was not willing to concede to his deception, excuses or self justification. I was respectful but firm. That encounter planted seeds for his eventual repentance and return to Christ.
But that encounter was also important for me because it unmasked the deceitfulness of sin. I knew only too well that I was a candidate for the same shameful fall. I did not want his story to become my story.
God used it in my life as a huge warning. It motivated me to tighten up my boundaries and to fix my eyes completely on Jesus.
I walked away determined to win the battles within me. That encounter added fuel to my own freedom quest and longing to walk in the Spirit.
It set me on the Philippians 3:7-16 path. I needed Jesus to become my top passion and God’s Word to become my foundation. I wanted to know Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.
I had to repent, confess and pull down some sinful strongholds in my own life. Then I had to silence the accuser of the brethren by forgiving and forgetting my past. Then it was time to “press on” and embrace my new life in Christ.
This sanctification process encompassed my first fifteen years of walking with Jesus. It was an intense battle, but it was worth it!
I am far from perfect, but completeness “in Christ” has come. I have left my Egypt behind and entered the promised land of unhindered fellowship with Jesus and walking in the Spirit.
We need testimonies like this! Every believer needs to know they can embrace and live in all spiritual blessings in heavenly places “in Christ.” The prayers of Paul in Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21, and Colossians 1:9-14 can happen in your life.
Let me be blunt; if it is unattainable in this life, the Bible is a lie, the Christian life is a farce and we are forever stuck in sin and failure.
I reject that notion! Rather, I choose to walk the Philippians 3:7-16 path! I admonish you to do the same! This is the story of Paul and many others. It can also become your story.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
