Philippians Notes (1)

Only Christ, Always Christ

“I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but filth so that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). 

When I walk into Philippians I come home. Yes, I am home in other dwellings in Scripture for sure, and no, I do not have a favorite – I love all the wings of the Palace, though I wear some shoes more often and more comfortably than others. As with geography and topography, I may find myself by the seashore one moment, and in the Himalayas the next. Thankfully, in the Holy Spirit we (usually) do not need to acclimate to the altitude, but we often do have to catch our breath. 

I see and hear the beauty of Philippians, allowing it to wash over me, refresh me, challenge me, and above all, reveal Jesus Christ to me. 

What a foundation we have, that we can trust Jesus to finish the work He has stared within us, both as individuals and as His People; that He will complete His testimony in us to the world – let us not judge by outward appearances, Jesus is the Author and Finisher. (Phil. 1:6).

It is God who is working within us to accomplish His will, and as we respond to Him we know the joy of koinonia (communion, fellowship, shared Life) with Him (Phil. 2:12–13). 

What an assurance to know that when the time comes to leave this earthly vessel, that we will be with our Lord Jesus (Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:1–8). 

Then I consider that all of this is because of Christ Jesus loving us, coming to us, living for us, dying for us, rising for us, and drawing us into His family and kingdom (Phil. 2:5 – 11). This is all about not what we have done or what we do, but rather what Jesus Christ has done and what He is doing. Whatever we do, which is important – and let’s not mistake how critical our obedience is, we do because of His redemption and His life within us.

I think of ballroom dancing, we dance with Jesus, He is always in the lead and we learn to respond to Him as we move around the ballroom of life. When we try to backlead we have problems. 

Consider also, that while Paul is in prison he is declaring that Roman authority is not the final word, Rome is not the final name, but rather Jesus Christ is the final Word and ultimate Name (Phil. 2:10–11).

We are on a pilgrimage, a mountain climbing expedition, which calls us into and above the clouds, which rises upward, always upward (Phil. 3:12 – 14; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Proverbs 4:18). We are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:11) and the higher we climb the more we realize our heavenly citizenship, for our hearts draw closer to our true Home, and we more and more realize our true identity in Jesus Christ. 

So much, so much, to contemplate, to enjoy, to challenge us, to encourage us to live for others. 

A moment comes, a season comes, when we realize that “whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:7).

And then we see that all things are rubbish so that “we may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8). 

That we may gain Christ. All other things mean nothing, less than nothing. The one gain that matters, the one possession that matters, is Christ Jesus, simply Christ Jesus. We learn to only seek Christ and to always seek Christ. 

Did you know that Paul was in an expansive place when he wrote Philippians? He was in a place greater and more spacious than Versailles, Buckingham Palace, and Biltmore put together.  

You ask, “How can this be? Paul was in a Roman prison. Have you lost your mind?”

No, I have not lost my mind, I have found it. Have you not yet learned that in Christ the inside is greater than the outside? 

Paul was before time began with the Son before the Incarnation (Phil. 2:6), he was with the Father and Christ as the present age concludes  (2:10–11). He wrote while experiencing wave after wave of joy in Jesus Christ: 1:18; 2:17-18; 4:4, 10–13). His focus throughout his letter is not on himself, but on Christ and the welfare of the Philippians. 

I imagine that the Philippians made the ironic connection between the joy Paul expresses, the joy he desired for them, and their first meeting Paul (Acts 16). After all, when Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in prison in Philippi, what did they do? How did they respond? 

They prayed and sang hymns of praise to God! (Acts 16:25). Once again, the inside was bigger than the outside! Paul rejoiced in prison in Philippi, and he hasn’t changed, he is now rejoicing in prison in Rome. 

“And the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25).

Well dear friends, someone is always listening to us.  What are they hearing? 

Let us hope they are hearing one song, one theme, one message.

“That I may gain Christ, and that you may gain Him too.”