Philippians 3:13-4:3

We did some brainstorming about what is needed to run a marathon… people threw out lots of ideas like the will to finish, endurance, training, strength, a goal, energy, encouragement, competitors, equipment, water, and determination. But no one mentioned one thing that I thought was most critical of all: deciding to do it! When Paul uses the “race” analogy, I think he’s thinking of all of these things. And I believe the decision to run the Christian race of life, is essential. That’s really beginning at the beginning. We had such an upbeat discussion of this analogy that we kept returning to it throughout the evening.

I also shared with the group my favorite fable: The Tortoise and the Hare. Of course, this story is also about a race. And I have confessed dozens of times… I am still a hare, sprinting and wasting energy, while it’s the tortoise that knows the secret: keep on keeping on… steady and determined, persistent to the end. And what is our goal? To know Christ… to be in Christ… to be like Christ for to Live is Christ!

I talked a little bit about verse 15, particularly the idea that Paul was making a distinction between those who are “mature” and those who “think” they are mature (or arrived… i.e. reached the goal of the race). But, no matter whether truly mature or not, whatever distance we have come, we are responsible for what we have learned so far and should live that out. Those who think they have arrived can be rather irritating folk, but in the end, it’s between them and God, “who will make it clear to them.” Take care, there are many who can “undermine” or sabotage our race.

Then we discussed the idea of telling less mature believers to “follow our example” in the same way that Paul said it, over and over again throughout several epistles. It was interesting to discover in our discussion how uncomfortable that idea can make us, feeling as though we are not far enough along the way to encourage others to imitate us. Someone brought the idea into clear focus however, saying that the imitation includes “lessons learned” (our mistakes corrected) and the honesty that we would share as well, that we continue to err, but our hearts are still on fire for the Lord… we are still in race: that is the part to be truly imitated. It is our authentic selves that draws others to the race. The Christian life is a process (the race) and although we have a goal, it is the running of the race itself that is glorious. And who is our truly perfect example? Christ Jesus, of course.

Who, then, is an “enemy of the cross of Christ?” Lots of labels went flying: interfering people, hedonistic people, those who think they are mature, the Devil himself, self-indulgent people, and self-centered people were a few descriptions I captured on paper. All of the types of people mentioned are those focused on earthly things and earthly desires above all else. But, here’s something we must all remember, lest we ourselves fall into “thinking ourselves mature.” Although we need to be discerning, for these enemies can and will sabotage us, and yet, we are not to judge them. Luke 6:37 says “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” What kind of judgment are we talking about here? Someone in class said it best: we must avoid judgment without mercy. That is not the way of Jesus.

We then talked about the meaning of being an “alien in the land.” We played with the idea of visiting a foreign country and how hard it can be to be in a country or city or area where no one speaks your language. One can feel isolated and yet, if another person comes who also speaks your language, isn’t it wonderful to share that time together? It should be like that for all of Christ’s followers. But, we can also insulate ourselves in a group, no longer engaging with those who live in that land. Balance is everything. Find support and renewal with those who are like-minded but then enter and participate in the world without becoming fully part of it. Paul’s heart desire was for his dear Philippian friends to know the joys of fellowship, the challenges of the race and the persistence of the tortoise!

Lastly, we chatted about Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement. No one really knows the story about these “fellow-workers,” but clearly they were in conflict. The whole book of Philippians has been written with them in mind. They symbolically represent that portion of the body, despite their works and their love for God, who are undermining the faithful by their inability to make peace with one another. But Paul has confidence in their reconciliation because he has confidence in the koinonia of these people who love Jesus. And Jesus is, after all, the Lord of reconciliation.