Today we finish Philippians.
Philippians 3 gives us some of the most precious autobiographical information on Paul we have. Paul lists his "accomplishments" as a Jew. As far as the righteousness that is available from the law is concerned, he was blameless (3:6). I thus side with Stendahl in his claim that Paul did not struggle much with a guilty conscience prior to believing on Christ. Paul's peace with himself continued after faith as well, as he regularly encourages his churches to imitate him (3:17).
But those things that were his gains from a fleshly perspective, he now considers loss and crap when set next to knowing Christ (3:7-8). The righteousness he is interested in not his own righteousness (here Paul uses the word in the sense I argued is not his usual for it). He is interested in a righteousness or justification from God on the basis of his faith. This is a righteousness not based on law but on the faith of Jesus Christ (3:9).
In this chapter Paul implies the possibility that he might not attain to the resurrection of the dead. Mind you, I don't think he had serious doubts along this line, but his rhetoric implies the possibility that even Paul's salvation was not absolutely secured. He presses on for the prize of an upward calling (3:14). He has not already received absolute assurance of the resurrection of the dead (3:11-12).
Meanwhile, the enemies of the cross of Christ will meet with destruction (3:19). My hunch is that Paul is thinking of the "dogs" he mentioned at the beginning of the chapter whose god is their belly as they focus on food laws and such, earthly things.
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I'm not sure I understand Paul's use of "that I may know Christ"...in context (and the fellowship of his sufferings and the power of the resurrection)...I have understood in the past that to mean identifying with Christ. But, now, 1.)with understanding Paul's Gnostic tendencies...2.)and with understanding the "cross" as the goal that God has given someone to accomplish, not as to internal (conteolling one's "passions"), but to external (goals in this life)..in fact, goals or purposes of life for an individual, 3.)then, understanding the "cross of Chirst" is the disipline needed to accomplish that goal...
In the context of Paul's audience, wouldn't it mean the disempowered were encouraged to "SUCK IT UP" and submit in their attitudes to what "God allowed".as the "Empire" was really "in control"..? Again, in America, a free society, we do not have to submit to power structures that are oppressive or controlling, as we do have choices other people in other governments don't...I fear that because the Scriptures were written in an ancient framework where people were considered only as significant as their group identification, that some Christians would adhere to that same "slave morality".
Sturctures that have leaders that are offended, (as was Haman in the book of Esther or King Xexerxes ) as to "lack of submission" are leaders that are not servants in their heart to the "common folk". The motivation to leadership should never be to "rule over another", but a desire for service. In fact, I think anyone that desires leadership should check their hearts as to motivation for leadership is a sore responsibility and a "call" that is of serious consequence...It is really those who do not "fear God" that desire leadership, who think themselves "gods" and forget that there truly is a God that they are accountable to...that leaders serve with a true heart...therefore, even leaders with "good character" (control over their bodies and emotions...a "good stoic") are not neccesarily the best leaders, if their hearts are not right before God. Because it is not neccesarily submission to earthly leaders that is the measure of submission, but the focus of the heart toward God..
I think the focus of the heart toward God is a truer picture that is more applicable to this text...because the focus for Paul in the past was his accomplishments "in the flesh"...He realized that his focus was wrong...Therefore, focusing on goals is not wrong, but it is motivation of heart that is the question and the purpose for pusuing those goals.
The focus of our life is to be accomplishing "the goal set before us"...and that is an individual race, that is a specific innate "call"...no one else can determine that for us...but they can hinder us from accomplishing that call...
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