Joy in Knowing Jesus

Philippians 3:8–21

Righteousness Gained (8–11)

Philippians is filled with an expression of joy. Having been a Pharisee who tried to earn salvation by keeping the law, Paul encountered salvation when he was confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus. This event turned Paul’s life around so instead of focusing on how to be righteous by doing good works, he realized he was made righteous by Christ’s work on the cross. All the things Paul strove for were seen as meaningless in light of what Christ had done for him. This is the glory of the gospel of Christ!

Humans operate with a notion of doing something to earn something, but the gospel does not work this way. In fact, it is the opposite: Instead of doing something to earn our salvation, we cannot do anything; Christ’s work on the cross, dying to fulfill the law but raised to life to show His power over sin, is the work that saves. All we have to do is believe in faith that Christ died in our place, and we receive His righteousness.

Sanctification Begun (12–14)

Having established that we are saved by grace and not works, Paul encourages readers to press on in service to the Lord. Some believe that once they have accepted Christ, they can go on and live as they did in their former days. But a person who has been touched by the grace of God does not sit back and live selfishly; instead, he or she lives for God. This is sanctification, the process of becoming more and more like Christ. Surely in gratitude for our salvation, we live not for ourselves but for God.

God’s salvation also means our past actions have no sway over us. We do not need to live in guilt for what we have done. We walk in victory, in the hope of our salvation, even as we also extend grace and forgiveness to others. Christians should offer forgiveness to others because God has forgiven us in Christ.

Warning Issued (15–19)

Paul uses himself as an example for the Philippians. We can do the same. However, many claim to be followers of Christ but have turned from the faith. We need to be wary of such people since they can lead us astray and turn us toward sin and away from Christ. Many so-called Christians focus on earthly things. This is especially true in the teaching of “prosperity gospel,” in which we are told that Christians, if they have enough faith, can get what they want from God — health, money, jobs, possessions, etc. But this is self-serving and an affront to the gospel. We do not come to God to get “stuff” — we turn to God because He is worthy of our praise and devotion and because He gives us all we need in saving us from sin and assuring us an eternal home.

Citizenship Assured (20–21)

Instead of focusing on earthly things, Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. He was content in all circumstances because he knew his time on earth was temporary.

This is why Christians historically have been willing to give their time, money and even their lives for the sake of the gospel — they know serving God is focusing on eternal things. Jesus Himself tells us not to store up treasures on earth but to store up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19–21).

We live in a world where people focus on possessions and wealth, and it can be a rat race trying to keep up. Christ gives us rest from this never-ending and never-satisfying drive, allowing us to be content with what He has provided.