LifeWay Bible Studies for Life Series for February 14: What will it take to change your mind?

Extremism consists of taking a truth to such an emphasis that it actually loses its meaning. Middle-Ages monastic groups so emphasized the truth of purity and separation from sin that they retreated from society and failed to serve the world.

The Apostle Paul contested with the Judaizers who demanded that any who would become Christians first become Jews. Seekers, they said, had to obey all the Jewish rules of food, Sabbath, circumcision and ritual practice.

The error of depending on ritual rather than relationship (Philippians 2:2-6)

Paul first advised resistance to those who insisted on externals rather than genuine relationship with Christ. He issued an imperative—“watch out for,” beware of “dogs,” that is, persons who were separated from Christ like gentiles, called dogs because they were considered unclean. He characterized Judaizers as unclean (dogs), evil workers who substituted human acts for the grace of God, and “mutilators of the flesh,” that is, they practiced a physical circumcision that did not indicate commitment to God.

Circumcision for Judaizers was nothing but empty ritual. Paul wrote that God’s grace had delivered from this fallacy. Paul declared that those who followed genuine circumcision demonstrated three characteristics: they served by the Spirit of God,  trusted only in Christ and placed no confidence in human ritual.

In verse 4, Paul showed his change of mind, saying at one time, he had trusted in works of Jewish ritual. He declared he had more reason to trust in works and ritual than any others. He listed seven points in his life that showed how well he kept the Jewish law. He had been: circumcised the eighth day, was a direct descendant of Abraham (of the nation of Israel), was from the tribe of Benjamin, and was a Hebrew of Hebrews (both his parents were Jews) Paul also pointed to his accomplishments—he was a Pharisee, a leader who exhibited great zeal, a persecutor of Christians, and blameless in regard to keeping the rituals.

Paul realized all his Jewish effort was of no value in relationship with Christ. Do we place certain beliefs and practices ahead of our commitment to and service of Christ?

The gain of personal relationship with Christ (Philippians 3:7-9)

Paul considered those works he had thought of such value as loss (things to be counted off) because of Christ. Compared to the priceless privilege of knowing Christ (exceeding value), all that he had practiced before was of no significance. It was filth (worthless and displeasing such as manure or garbage). The ultimate gain rested in gaining Christ—coming to know him in personal and loving relationship. He exulted in being “in Christ,” one of Paul’s favorite descriptions of salvation that he used more than 140 times.

The gain of personal relationship lay in the fact that believers did not have to trust in the law. They rested in the righteousness given by Christ who had established such right-standing with God by his life, death and resurrection. Right-standing with God was based not on works but on faith in Jesus Christ. Knowing Christ in personal relationship consists of a personal, intimate  and growing relationship with Christ that establishes a person’s entire way of living.

Gaining the personal relationship with Christ is great gain and of more worth than all else.

The goal of personal relationship with Christ (Philippians 3:10-15; 4:8)

Paul’s goal in this relationship with Christ was spiritual maturity. He greatly longed for the experience of fully knowing (experiencing) Christ. The term “goal” is not actually expressed in the text but the idea is certain. Paul’s great desire was to know or experience Christ; to participate in the power of the resurrection; to share with Christ’s sufferings; and be continuously transformed by his death. He desired that in some way (to some measure) he might reach the resurrection that would lift him from the dead into genuine life with Christ. Verse 11 expressed no doubt of his attaining the resurrection but only his realization of never in life fully attaining it.

Paul admitted he had not reached the goal but showed us how we might pursue it. We must forget what is behind (no longer rest on past works). We must strain forward toward the goal of fullest relationship with Christ and service for Christ. We must press forward and strain for the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ.

Verse 15 summarizes that Christians should continue seeking this maturity. If any have failed to comprehend the surpassing value of this way of living, God would reveal its excellence.

Philippians 4:8 reveals the final step in the path toward spiritual maturity that supplies a list of virtues that should consume believer’s  minds and hearts. “Dwell” means think, consider, evaluate or recognize the value of. Paul advised believers to take into account and center on those things that are true, honorable, pure, lovable (or endearing) and commendable (of good report). The Apostle taught that if these virtues have value, the thoughts of believers should dwell on them.

We should allow the Spirit of God to change our minds as to what is foremost, turn from human efforts to receive right standing with God and continue growth by grace.