Paul urges us to follow his example and the example of others who feel that knowing Christ is more important than anything else. He reminds us that someday we will be with Christ and we will be like Christ. If that idea doesn't excite us, we need to take stock of our spiritual condition.
"All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things." (Philippians 3:15a) What view is he talking about? The view he expressed in yesterday's passage when he stated that nothing matters to him as much as Christ does, and that he is letting go of the things that are behind him and is constantly working toward the things of the Lord that are in front of him. So he's saying, "You who are mature in the faith will feel the same way."
"And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you." (Philippians 3:15b) He trusts that the Lord will reveal to his readers anything that needs changing about their attitudes. And he's right, for if we're living in close fellowship with the Lord as we should be, He will point out to us the areas in our lives that need work.
"Only let us live up to what we have already attained." (Philippians 3:16) He instructs, "Hang onto what you already know. Keep on doing what you already know to do." Sometimes we aren't sure what the next step is in our lives, so until the Lord reveals this to us, we are to keep on doing what we have already been instructed to do. We know right from wrong because we have the word of God to tell us right from wrong. We know what our responsibilities are. So until the Lord lights the path we are to take, we are to keep on doing what we already know we're supposed to be doing. Do you feel like it's time to move in a different direction with your education or career? Until the Lord shows you what direction to take, be faithful with what He's already given you to do. Wait until He shows you the next step. Believe me, if you get ahead of Him you won't get the results you hoped for. I've learned that lesson the hard way---several times over.
"Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do." (Philippians 3:17) We all need positive role models in our lives. Paul is striving to live his life so he can be used as a role model. So are the other apostles. So are some of the people in the Philippian's own church. He's not saying that he or any of the other believers are perfect, but he's saying that they are working every day to be more and more like Christ, which should motivate those around them to do the same. When you mess up and say or do something that's unseemly for a Christian to say or do, is there anyone you'd be particularly embarrassed to have know about it? Then that person is likely setting a good example for Christian living, and Paul is saying that knowing people like this ought to motivate us to be better examples ourselves.
It's important not only to find good examples to follow, but to recognize impostors as well. The Lord Jesus said to the disciples, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) Though we live among the wolves, we are not to be like them. But the Lord cautions us that wolves often masquerade as sheep. So Paul says it's important to know the difference. "For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things." (Philippians 3:18-19) Like Jacob's brother Esau who was concerned only with the here and now, these wolves live only for today. If it suits their purposes they will pretend to be part of the body of Christ. They may even manage to deceive themselves that they are right with the Lord, being the type of people Paul says will appear in the last days, "having a form of godliness but denying its power". (See 2 Timothy 3:1-9)
If these enemies of the cross don't repent, they are bound for destruction. Their reservation has already been made. But we who love the Lord are citizens of another place...a better place. "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body." (Philippians 3:20-21)
Does the idea of spending eternity with Christ comfort you and give you peace? Are you looking forward to the day when you can shed your frail mortal body that is so prone to sin and failure? If we are not "eagerly awaiting" that day, as Paul says, we need to examine our hearts and find out why not. If we truly love the Lord, the deepest and most important desire of our hearts should be to spend eternity with Him.
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