22) Strength in Suffering Series
The notion exists that if you do more this and more that, you will be a better Christian. This term “better Christian” is never elaborated on. What does it mean to be a “better Christian”? Will God love you more? Will you be perceived as more holy? If you participate in certain events, read certain books, take up certain ministries, make friends with the right kind of people, will that make you a “better Christian”? Paul never holds with the idea of a “better Christian.” So, where does this heavy shadow of lacking something come from? Paul shows how this kind of thinking leads Christians astray. This isn’t a faithful walk with God; rather, it is trying to remedy what one believes God has not already supplied.
“Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.”
Philippians 3:17
After Paul tells the Philippian Christians to imitate him in his dependence on God for his salvation, he tells them to note the people who were depending on their own actions to make them better, holier, superior. Just as God’s family at Philippi spoke openly about the faithful example of Paul and those with him who spread the gospel, they were to speak openly about these people who were spreading false information about the gospel.
For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
Philippians 3:18-19
Souls had once entered into Christ’s kingdom only to give up their inheritance for a false doctrine. These erring Christians were determined to believe that circumcision was commanded by God or one could not enter Heaven. Paul laid out their end. They had begun by thinking their own way was imperative for all to be saved, and then their eyes completely turned from God’s way of salvation to heap up acclaim for themselves. Their god became their own rules and desires, and they gloried in their own accomplishments and superiority–which was shameful. Their own self-approval turned them inward. They lost sight of God’s path by thinking so highly of self that they thought and acted against God’s truth. Paul calls them enemies. Their behavior wasn’t just a thought; their stance became an outright war against the very covenant Christ gave His life to establish. Paul poured out his sorrow at their situation, even while they promoted themselves. Paul cried for these lost brothers and sisters, many of whom were his Jewish Christian brethren.
Paul knew the pain of watching Christian family walk away from Jesus. Even as he went through the suffering of imprisonment in Rome, his tears flowed at the thought of losing the ones he loved most, the ones he wanted to be joined with eternally in heaven. This is a form of suffering we often overlook in our walk with God. It is a terrible discouragement to watch the loved ones you’ve worked beside and worshipped beside exchange faith in God for glory in self. When they take up a cause that flies in the face of Christ’s perfect law of liberty, and when they impose their views on others to make them feel lesser and not as “active in the church,” we should mourn.
This mourning is to be coupled with caution. A false teacher who has chosen to serve self and teach others to do the same is going to do harm to godly hearts. Christian hearts are meant to be open to self-examination, and this is the type of deceit that is bent on taking advantage of the tenderhearted. This is why Paul instructs the Philippian Christians to note who the false doctrine spreaders were. That way they would protect others from following down a deceptive path while guarding their own hearts.
For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:…
Philippians 3:20
Paul reminds these Christians that they are unified in a future together. The Church is jointly involved and woven together so that what one person does affects us all. That means no one is playing the hero in this story. This is God’s story, and we are a nation subject to our King through our Father’s good will. We aren’t rescuing Christians by coming up with a “better living” criteria to rival the word of God–as though it needs our input! As a citizen of this great Kingdom, dear sister, let Him lead. There is no good, better, best in His service. He supplies each Christian with everything she needs, not the least of which is His promise of eternal life. Your service is not to rise above your siblings; it is found in your everyday citizenship, as you wait for Him to return.
Next, Paul will further discuss the attitude of a citizen in God’s kingdom.
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