Imitate the faithful: Meditation for December 7-13

Philippians 3:17-21 (NASB)

This is the Word of God. May the Spirit of Truth give us wisdom and insight to receive what has been conveyed through His Word by His Inspiration.
Who or what can separate us from the Love of God?!

3:17-21
¹⁷Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
¹⁸For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
¹⁹whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
²⁰For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
²¹who 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.

It might sound puzzling to us that Paul would advise the Philippians to follow his example after admitting that he was imperfect and had not yet arrived at the finish line. This should not come to us as a surprise, however. Actually, he was not pointing to his own weakness as the model to be imitated. He was drawing attention to the Power of God at work in him in spite of his imperfections. He was underscoring the sure hope of reaching the finish line in Jesus Christ.

By forgetting what was behind and by pressing on to what is ahead, Paul set the example of faith, hope, perseverance, and diligence to be emulated. So he exhorted the Philippians to observe what he taught them and to follow the pattern of the life he lived in their midst. He urged them to learn from the godly among them and pattern their life after the godly walk they observe in the saints of God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is life-giving. Since what was taught and believed must be reflected in real life, Paul offered his own life and service as an exemplary pattern of Christian walk.

However, Paul warned the Philippians that everyone they see or hear does not necessarily reflect an exemplary Christian life worthy of imitation. Actually, many live a life that is contrary to the Gospel in spite of their claim to faith. Many indeed walk as enemies of Christ. Paul has been reiterating this truth for quite sometime. And now he repeated it to the Philippians with tears and intense passion. He did not want the Philippians to be deceived by those who project a deceivingly impressive air about themselves.

He alerted the Philippians to be aware of the deceitful practices of such people. Such individuals have no integrity. Truth has no value to them. Their true intentions are well disguised. Their teachings are illusive. Their deceptions are delivered in a well-crafted presentation. They appear harmless in their sheep's clothing, but they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ in their behavior, their conduct, and actions.

Ultimately, their end is destruction. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. They are so blinded that they glory in their own shame. Their attention is committed to the worldly things they do.

The enemies of the Gospel are committed primarily to their own self-interests. Everything they do is motivated by an inherent desire to satisfy their emotions, feed their appetite, or appease their intense drive for self-fulfillment. They pride themselves in disgraceful practices and disreputable events in which they take part. They have no shame in distorting the truth and presenting it as the gospel , the "gospel" of their own lies.

In the end, God will destroy these people by His righteous judgment. Beware of such prophets of falsehood. They offer nothing good that is worthy of trust. So Paul exhorted the Philippians to model their lives after the example set by him and his fellow-servants of God.

While the enemies of the Gospel live in a committed hostility to the Gospel, the redeemed of God flourish in the new life given to them by Jesus Christ. Unlike the enemies of the Gospel, the redeemed no longer live in darkness and death. They are brought from darkness to light and from death to life. They are citizens of heaven from which our Lord returns to complete their salvation. So imitate the example of real hope and certain assurance as portrayed by the redeemed of God and His commissioned servants.

When Christ comes again to earth, He will put everything under His Authority. That Authority and Power will transform the bodies of the saints even as they have been spiritually transformed by the effective work of the Holy Spirit. The redeemed of God will no longer be the same. Mortality will be replaced by immortality. Corruption will be displaced by incorruption. As the Creator, Redeemer, and Father, God Himself will make His children fit for eternal life with Him in heaven. So follow the example set by the citizens of heaven and reject the enemies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.