Author: Wick

Here in Chapter 3, we enter the text just after Paul has talked about resigning his “Jewish-ness” for the sake of Christ. All that was embodied in his rightful claim as a Jewish man, he let go of and renounced for what he gains in Christ.

Then he says in vs. 17 – “Join in imitating me”

Obviously, there are few, if any, Jews in this area. Which is why he goes on to use the language he does. He wants to help them connect what he’s saying about the identity Christ has brought to us, and to this place we live.

“There are enemies of the cross…I’ve told you of them, and now I tell you with tears.” Paul is obviously experiencing an intense emotion here, perhaps knowing that what he’s asking them to do could turn out very badly for them short term.

But Paul’s is not a short term message. 🙂

He declares to them, and to us….OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN!!!

We represent the rule and presence of Jesus Christ in our world. We live not according to the systems and powers of this place we live, but according to the way of Jesus Christ.

Immediately, the hearers of Paul’s message may have begun thinking about what it would mean to claim Jesus as Christ, instead of Caesar. Caesar was often called “savior”, because it was his word, his power, his presence that would rescue and restore order in chaos.

What is our “Caesar”?

As an individual – what rules your life? Money? Time? Ourselves? Preparation for the future? Anxiety? “Success”?

What would it mean for us to claim Jesus, instead of that…as our Christ?

As a church – what or who is ruling us? The desire to be larger or more exciting than other churches? Numbers on paper, whether it’s attendance, membership, offerings, how much we give, how many people we serve? To be financially stable? To make sure we always do things this way or that, or always strive to be “new” or “on the edge”?

What would it mean for us as a local church to claim Jesus anew, as our Christ?

Paul knows that when they, and when we…think of changes, and “little deaths”, or possibly even real deaths for them…that will occur when we choose Jesus…we need to be reminded that these bodies, and these lives, are temporary.

That people who live according to their appetites, are worshiping their “stomachs”. The word used here can be anything from the “carnal, lustful, etc”, or even “the inner most part of a man, soul, desires”. Not inherently bad, but not intended to be what we live according to. Our minds are not supposed to be set on these things.

We are citizens of heaven, and when our Savior comes he will transform these “humble bodies”. That’s a nice way to put it, for most of us. To look at the imperfections, fallen-ness, etc…and to simply say “humble bodies”.

We will be transformed to being conformed (summorphon – only other place used is Romans 8:29… “those predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son”) with the body of His GLORY.

What is the body of His glory?

Not the body we see on the cross, but the body we see after the resurrection. One not OF this world, bound by the laws of nature. But a body that pays no regard to decay or the negative impact of aging. Physical, as we see doubting Thomas touch the hands of Jesus. But also somehow not bound by physical laws, as we see Jesus entering the locked room without any doors or windows being opened for him.

Paul doesn’t try to explain how this will happen, it’s not important. It will happen, just as all things that exist are subject to God. That God, is the one who’s eternal Kingdom we are now living as citizens of.

And what are Paul’s final words in these verses? Come back tomorrow as we close out this section…

Imagine: You’ve been living in a third world country for quite a while now. You know hunger, suffering, and what it means to want. One day, you receive a letter that explains, somehow things had gotten mixed up when you were born. You’re actually the child of a royal family in Europe. They wanted to make sure you were safe until they could come get you, so they purchased the entire country you now live in…and now rule over it as well. They are sending resources that where you live needs now, and sending them through you until they can come there themselves. How would you feel?

As I was growing up, there were always awards assemblies. I never did sports, and was never too academic after 5^th grade. But one thing I’d always achieved was “good citizenship”.

I never understood much of what that meant. Today, I have a better understanding. I am a citizen of Decatur, IL. That means I strive to contribute to the well-being, orderly existence of, and future of our community. I pay my bills. I vote. I serve on the parking and traffic commission. I’m a good, active citizen.

Here’s some quick history: Philippians is a letter to the church in Philippi.

Almost 50 years before Christ, there was a civil war, “Caesar’s Civil War”. When the war had been won, you had several legions of soldiers out and about, and could not have those thousands and thousands returning to the city of Rome…it would be dangerous.

So the soldiers near Philippi, an already established Greek town on a well-worn path easily traveled to from Rome, were given land and resources to live there as citizens of Rome.

Years down the road, we find Paul in this city, which is full of descendants of those original Roman soldiers and their families. There may also be some there who are descendants of the original Greek residents, and who resent the leadership/rule of the Roman Empire.

For those who ARE Roman citizens, their citizenship came with certain rights, and expectations. Membership and participation in the Imperial Cult (viewing Caesar as divine, and Roman rule as given by God) was a part of their life.

• But they also enjoyed certain rights, not available to all people.

  • The right to trial, to sue others and defend oneself.

  • They were exempt from local rules and regulations, deferring to the laws of Rome.

  • They were generally immune from some taxes and other legal obligations.

  • Legal protections if accused of a crime, could not be tortured or whipped, nor receive death penalty except for treason…but even then, could not be crucified on the cross.

Roman citizens represented and embodied the power, rule, order, and presence of Caesar in Philippi.

Come back tomorrow for more….

Ever wish there were limits on humility? Already think there are? This may not even be an issue of humility. Let me know what you think.

Maybe this is why churches became communities of needs being met, because a church doing business with an actual profit-margin-inspired company outside of the congregation doesn’t lead to much good.

I’m a pretty laid back person, by nature. Not sure why, always, but I’d give God credit for a large part of it. So when I placed an order for new chairs for our youth room, they asked me if this was “urgent”, if I had a date I needed the chairs by. I figured they were pretty busy, and honestly didn’t want to come across as jerkish…so I told them at least before 2010. It was early September. We both laughed. Of course, we’d get them before 2010.

So here we are, about to enter March, 2010. I’ve called several times. Several times, I’ve been told they’re not sure why it’s taken so long, and there could be a few different reasons. Holiday break, fabric not being in, etc. etc. “But you’ll definitely get a call by _____ (fill in the date)”

Many of those dates have come and gone, and still…no chairs. My teens are even beginning to laugh at the joke of these mythical chairs that I somehow believe are going to arrive someday.

My natural reaction? Frustration. Usually felt toward Alisha, the “innocent” gatekeeper on the phone somewhere in Georgia, who always has to apologize for whoever actually owes me an explanation.

Am I to take the road of humility that swallows the “I deserve _____” mentality, and simply say, “Okay, I’ll call back next time you don’t meet the deadline so we can repeat this conversation.”? (or something with less sarcasm and more love.)

Should I focus on the “Justice”, and “right business practice”, and the people who actually donated the money toward new chairs…and stand up for them?

Tempting even, to put their name on this post, as a warning to anyone searching for reviews on their business. But perhaps my case is just a fluke. Maybe they give great customer service, and speedy deliveries to everyone else.

For now, I suppose it was a great illustration for Advent.

One that might still be useful for this next Advent as well.

Meanwhile, our teens will sit on broken wooden chairs. 🙂 Good Lent practice, probably.