Paul advises the Philippian brothers & sisters: “Keep your eyes on those who live as we do,” since we are citizens of heaven.
[This discussion can be read aloud in 7 1/2 min.]
Philippians: Shine Like Stars – DAY 78
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DAY 78/FRI.-SAT.
Philippians 3:17-21
Those Who Live As We Do
“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”
Philippians 3:17-21 (NIV)
We have f i n a l l y made it to the end of Ch. 3. Let’s dive in with some Q & A!
Q & A
#1
Q: What does Paul want the Philippian brothers & sisters to “join together” in doing?
A: [v.17] Following Paul’s example
#2
Q: Who is most likely the “us” the Philippians have “as a model” in v.17?
A: [1:1; 2:25; 3:15] Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, & mature believers
#3
Q: On whom are the Philippians supposed to keep their eyes?
A: [v.17] Those who live as Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, & other mature believers
#4
Q: What has Paul often told them before, & now, again, “even with tears”?
A: [v.18] “Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ”
#5
Q: Paul gives four descriptions of those who live as enemies of the cross. What are they?
A: [v.19] 1. Their destiny is destruction; 2. their god is their stomach; 3. their glory is in their shame; 4. their mind is set on earthly things
#6
Q: Enemies of the cross of Christ have their minds set on earthly things. They are living as citizens of earth. Where is the citizenship of the Christian?
A: [v.20] “Our citizenship is in heaven”
#7
Q: Paul says we eagerly await Someone from heaven. Who is it?
A: [v.20] “A Savior,” “the Lord Jesus Christ”
#8
Q: What will Jesus do when He comes from heaven?
A: [v.21] “Transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body”
#9
Q: How will Jesus do this?
A: [v.21] “By the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control”
Clearly Contrasting Citizenships
citizen: an inhabitant of a particular place
citizenship: membership in a state with rights & duties
As we saw above, in Philippians 3:17-21, Paul writes about two groups of citizens. Group 1 inhabits earth; Group 2 inhabits heaven.
| Group 1: Citizens of Earth | Group 2: Citizens of Heaven |
| Enemies of the cross of Christ | Allies of the cross of Christ |
| Their destiny? Destruction | Their destiny? Transformation |
| Their god? Their stomach | Their God? The Lord Jesus Christ |
| Their glory? Their shame | Their glory? His glory! |
| Their mindset? Earthly things | Their mindset? Heavenly things |
The contrast in these two groups is certainly clear, but before Paul gets into that, he starts this part of his letter to the Philippian church instructing them to follow a good example & good models, and keep their eyes on those who live as they do.
In the Q & A, we said the most likely candidates for “us” — the models in v.17 — are Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and mature believers. All of these also belong to our Group #2: Citizens of Heaven.
Is Paul saying citizens of heaven should live like citizens of heaven? Yes; yes, he is.
Live like a citizen of heaven!
If you are a citizen of heaven — you have believed in & received Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior of your life — then you are allied with Christ’s cross, being transformed into the image of Jesus as you worship Him & Him alone, concerning yourself with His glory, and setting your mind on heavenly things.
All of this is a lot easier to do when you surround yourself with other citizens of heaven!
Proverbs 13:20 says,
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Now, of course, there are situations in which we cannot choose those people who surround us. You may be the only Christian in your home, in your class at school, on a sports team, etc. Notice the words “walk” and “companion.”
Yes, you can physically walk with nonbelievers against your will and be forced into their company, but most of the time, walking with someone refers to choosing them to “do life” with, and a person referred to as a companion is usually someone you have chosen to be around and be with.
Our Closest Relationships
Should a Christian’s closest relationships of choice, especially friendships & mentorships, be with “citizens of earth,” those who do not know Jesus as their Lord & Savior??? No!!!
We are commanded to share the gospel of Christ with the lost of this world, but we are NOT commanded to become their best buds. Look at Proverbs 13:20 again:
“Walk with the wise and become wise…”
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
The only wisdom we want is the wisdom that comes from God.
God’s Wisdom, not the World’s
Paul had a lot to say to the Corinthian believers about wisdom. Here’s a snippet:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’20Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
I Corinthians 1:18-25 (NIV)
How can we benefit from the so-called “wisdom” of someone who thinks the cross of Christ — our salvation! — is foolishness? We can’t. And what happens to those who hang out with foolish people?
“…a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Friends of Fools Suffer
We will suffer if our closest friends are lost people, still dead in their sins, and still in the dark without the light of Christ.
On the other hand, if our closest companions are fellow believers, we can make each other wiser and better, as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). We can encourage one another as we refuse to give up meeting together.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
Those Who Live as We Do
Now, back to our Philippians verse of the day.
“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”
Philippians 3:17 (NIV)
If we are consistently watching how lost people “do life,” we will end up imitating them rather than being transformed into the likeness of Christ.
We must be those who set our minds on things above, on heavenly things, on the things of God, rather than setting our minds on the things of this world.
This world is passing away.
This world is not our home.
We are citizens of heaven!
Let’s keep our eyes on those who live as citizens of heaven.
DAY 78/FRI.-SAT. Prayer
Father God,
Thank You for Your Word.
We are grateful You have reminded us today that we are already citizens of heaven, and we rejoice in that truth!
When we are tempted to look to the lost people who still belong to this world for advice, for friendship, or as role models, stop us at once! Help us navigate our relationships with godly wisdom & discernment, sharing the gospel with those who are lost, but sharing our lives with those who are found in Christ with us.
To You be all the glory!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
DAY 78: Paul advises the Philippian brothers & sisters: "Keep your eyes on those who live as we do," since we are citizens of heaven.