Love: A New Commandment - a Journey in PhilippiansSample

Beyond doubt

Any doubt what this letter is about? “Consider…forgetting…same mind…think…” And if you ever had any doubt that thinking is important to grow and overflow in loving, let this letter prove it beyond doubt. The importance of mature thinking is what Paul highlighted here. Many people in that world boasted about having some or other revelation from the gods, or from God. This gave them a certain “spiritual status.” Paul said If you think you’ve “arrived,” then you’re not thinking maturely – and this is something God will reveal.

We often use “arrival language” to speak about faith. Have you given your heart to Jesus? Have you surrendered your life? Come home, come home…! And that’s true to an extent. We can be sure of our faith. It is not your own doing that gave you this new life in Christ. Don’t even consider that. God started a work in you and his grace energises your efforts to work with him.

We have already used the image of an athlete. That’s the mindset Paul had. That’s mature thinking. There’s a goal and you keep going till you reach it. We’ll see how resurrection and heavenly calling fit together in the following section. For now, let's just say what Paul said: we haven’t arrived yet! Mature thinking is knowing we are still on our way.

We have an athlete mindset in many areas of our lives. We have goals for business or our work environment, goals for certain hobbies, fitness, etc. We know we haven’t arrived, and we press onward. What about goals in your personal relationship with Jesus? Goals for loving his family? Goals in partnering for his Gospel? Forgetting what lies behind, the failures and the successes, and pressing forward for the King and his kingdom. Let’s settle this beyond any doubt:

“Grace is not opposed to effort. It’s opposed to earning.” - Dallas Willard

“Direction, not intention, determines destination.” - Andy Stanley.

Reflection Question:

What personal goal do I have in knowing Jesus, loving his family and living for his Kingdom?

Prayer:

Thank you again, Father, for the work you have started. Help me to have this mature mindset. Help me press forward to grow in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.