“The Christian Walk, Not a Walk in the Park”
(Philippians 3:1-11)
By: Bro. Malloy Cabahug
This week, as I wrote this piece I just turned 40 years old. The famous tag line “life begins at 40” rang on me as this day was approaching. This led me then to reflect on those 40 years as far as my memory led me back.
Reading side by side, while studying the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, the more I became keener on reflecting my life the past 40 years. Now focus was given to the life beginning from the moment I said yes to Jesus invitation to which I wholeheartedly accepted. It was the last 8 years of my life when I have been walking the path of Christianity.
I am forever grateful to the person who introduced me and my family to Christ. Having been a Christian for more than 8 years now is like having that peace and joy I never had experienced for the first 32 years of my life.
Christianity sounds like a bed of roses in that last statement. However, it is not. My Christian walk is not at all a like a bed of roses, nor just a walk in the park.
This was proven to be correct by the life of Paul and the rest of the Apostles and the men of God mentioned in the Bible. Persecutions, temptations, and trials come their way as they walk the path of righteousness. The same is true with us today.
Let us examine how Paul illustrated what I have just said that the Christian walk is not a walk in the park in his Epistle intended for the Church in Philippi (Philippians 3:1-11).The overriding theme for our key verse if I may paraphrase it in my own terms is as follows:
“Rejoice always, but also be on guard all the time for the things that may veer you away from the right path to salvation. Keep focus on Christ and the power of His salvation, and take part in His suffering, so that someday you can take part in the promised glorious day of our resurrection.”
1. REJOICE ALWAYS, BUT BE NOT TOO OVERCONFIDENT—HEED THE WARNINGS BY GODLY MEN (Philippians 3:1)
Phil 3:1 (NKJV)
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
Knowing that Paul was under house arrest in Rome while writing this Epistle, he still managed to encourage everyone to rejoice as he himself rejoiced despite the circumstance he was in. In the same manner, all Christians must have the same outlook even as the world is against them.
But, Paul did not stop there. He mentioned in his letter that he was experiencing the same things. This means that he was reminding them of the things he had already taught the Philippians before. As he explained, it did not bother him to do so for it was a safeguard to them.
We may be hearing the same teachings, reminders, and corrections from our spiritual parents, ministry heads, or even our pastors. These people may already sound like a broken record to us, but mind you, they are doing this for our sake. The teachings, reminders and corrections, especially if done out of love means to safeguard us from doing foolishness. This will guide us back to the correct path of righteousness.
To the leaders and the spiritually mature, I hope and pray that they will not be troubled in teaching, reminding, and correcting the believers that God have placed under their care.
2. THE “DOGS”, THE “EVILDOERS”, AND THE “LEGALISTS” (Philippians 3:2-6)
Phil 3:2-6 (NKJV)
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
The believers in Philippi were then warned by Paul to be on a look out for the personalities described as “dogs”, “evildoers”, and “legalists.” The term “dog” had been used by the Jews during the time of Jesus and Paul to describe the gentiles or the unbelievers. In the same manner a warning is given against those personalities having evil thoughts, evil intentions, and evil motives that may influence the believer, those who are promoting religion and legalism that overshadows Christ in the life of Christians.
A dog is reminiscent of personalities that bark at you, or worse, bite you. Your relatives, friends, or even fellow church mates who says negative things against you. To some extent, the worst thing these people can do to you is to bite you, inflicting you with their spiritual rabies, causing the death of your faith.
The word “cynical” or “cynicism” κυνικός (kynikos) in the Greek means dog-like.
Discouragement may also come from the evildoers. If you associate with them more often, most likely your mind and thoughts will be contaminated with theirs.
Judaizers insisted that the observance of Mosaic ceremonial practices, particularly circumcision was necessary for their salvation. Paul addressed this head on indicating this was just pure religion and legalism. He further claimed that true circumcision is not of the flesh, but spiritual. The double-edged sword of the Gospel of Jesus is sharper and is able to cut through the hearts of everyone who believes.
He supported his warning that these personalities offer to the believers by sharing his own biography. His pedigree, education, and status in life before receiving Christ were difficult to be equaled by any of the Judaizers.
Today, many believers also fall into the trap of giving importance to form rather than the substance of our faith. Churches concentrate on the physical activities that appeals to the senses rather than those that builds up our relationships and faith.
3. FOCUS ON CHRIST (Philippians 3:7-11)
Phil 3:7-11 (NKJV)
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Despite of the pedigree, education, status, and achievements of Paul before he knew Christ, according to him were nothing. The truth of Christ’s revelation to him surpassed all those material and worldly possessions and achievements he had. He even continued to describe all this things as garbage.
Hence, as Christians nothing is more worthy than increasing our knowledge of Christ and the power of His resurrection, as well as to partake of His suffering. Every believer should always be at the counsel of our God, at the same time expect suffering, trials and temptations to come along the way. It is a package deal, but with Christ in our life, we have the power to be victorious in the end.
Always abide in Christ and someday, we will experience being resurrected with Christ at His second coming.
Eight years and counting, here am I, standing and serving the Lord. Mind you, my Christian walk is not that rosy. It is not a walk in the park.
Many times my walk is being tested and tried. The personalities that Paul mentioned in his epistle to the Philippians came along the way and are just around us all the time. Being aware of their antics and keeping our eyes focused on Christ, who could stray from the path of our final destination…to be resurrected with Christ in the time to come that only God the Father knows.
