The Mind of Christ and the Prize of Knowing Him
Philippians 2 and 3 — God at Work in the Life of Paul
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21
1. The Mind That Was in Christ Jesus
Paul has just told the Philippians to stand together, remain steadfast, and live lives worthy of the gospel. Now he takes them deeper. The greatest danger to their fellowship is not necessarily persecution from outside. It is pride and selfish ambition from within.
His answer is extraordinary.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
Then Paul gives them the example that stands above every human example: Jesus Christ Himself.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
What follows is one of the most remarkable passages in the entire New Testament.
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (verses 6–8)
Stop and consider what Paul is telling us.
Jesus did not begin as a man who eventually became important.
He existed in the form of God.
Yet He willingly took the position of a servant.
The Creator entered His creation.
The Lord of glory accepted the humiliation of the cross.
This was not weakness. It was divine love expressed through obedience.
And the humiliation was not the end of the story.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (verses 9–11)
Here Paul takes us from the throne of heaven to the cross of Calvary and then back to the glory of the exalted Christ.
There is no greater declaration of who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
One day, willingly or unwillingly, every knee will bow. Every tongue will acknowledge His lordship. The carpenter of Nazareth, the crucified Savior, is the Lord of all creation.
2. Working Out What God Is Working In
Paul now turns from the example of Christ to the daily responsibility of the Christian.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (verses 12–13)
We must be careful with these words. Paul is not telling us to earn our salvation. He is writing to believers whose salvation rests in Christ.
We are to work out in our lives what God is working within us.
Notice the beautiful balance.
We are responsible for obedience, but God supplies the power.
Christian living is neither passive nor self-sufficient. It is a life of active dependence upon God.
Paul then gives a practical instruction:
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” (verse 14)
What a simple instruction, and what a difficult one!
The Christian witness is not merely what we say about Jesus. It is also how we live when things do not go our way.
Paul wants believers to shine as lights in a dark world, holding forth the word of life.
He knows that his own ministry may end in death. Yet even that possibility does not take away his joy.
He describes himself as being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of their faith.
He rejoices, and he wants them to rejoice with him.
3. Two Men Worth Knowing
Before moving on, Paul introduces two men who deserve our attention.
The first is Timothy.
Paul hopes to send Timothy to Philippi because he genuinely cares for the spiritual welfare of the church.
“For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.” (verse 20)
Then comes Paul's observation about the contrast between Timothy and others:
“For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.” (verse 21)
That is a sobering statement. Timothy stands out because his concern is not his own advancement but the interests of Christ.
The second man is Epaphroditus, a messenger from the Philippian church who had brought assistance to Paul.
Epaphroditus had become seriously ill, nearly dying in the service of Christ. Paul speaks of him with great affection:
“Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
“Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.” (verses 29–30)
We know little about Epaphroditus beyond these verses, but we know enough.
He was not an apostle whose name became famous throughout the Christian world. He was a faithful servant who risked his life for the work of Christ.
The church needs its Timothys and its Epaphrodituses.
God's work has always depended upon faithful people who are willing to serve without demanding recognition.
4. Everything I Once Counted as Gain
With chapter 3, Paul's tone becomes more urgent.
He warns the Philippians against those who would put confidence in religious ceremony and outward accomplishments rather than in Christ.
Paul has a very personal reason for speaking so strongly.
If anyone could have claimed religious credentials, it was Paul himself.
He writes:
“Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more.” (Philippians 3:4)
Then he presents his credentials:
Circumcised the eighth day.
Of the stock of Israel.
Of the tribe of Benjamin.
An Hebrew of the Hebrews.
As touching the law, a Pharisee.
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church.
Touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
This was no ordinary religious background. Paul had been trained, disciplined, and zealous.
He had every reason to be proud of his standing among his fellow Jews.
But something had happened on the road to Damascus.
He had met Jesus Christ.
And suddenly the things he once considered his greatest achievements looked entirely different.
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” (verses 7–8)
Notice that Paul does not merely say that his old accomplishments were unimportant. He says that he counts them as loss compared with knowing Christ.
This is the testimony of a man whose entire understanding of life has been transformed.
Paul has not simply added Jesus to his previous accomplishments. Christ has become the center of everything.
5. That I May Know Him
Here we come to the heart of chapter 3.
Paul's ambition is no longer to become a more distinguished Pharisee or a more respected religious teacher.
His ambition is expressed in five remarkable words:
“That I may know him.”
He continues:
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (verses 9–10)
Paul wants to know Christ more deeply.
He wants to experience the power of the resurrection, but he also understands that following Jesus involves sharing in His sufferings.
This is not a superficial faith built around comfort and convenience.
It is a relationship with the living Christ that transforms the whole person.
And notice something else. Paul, the great apostle, does not claim to have arrived.
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (verse 12)
The man who has written so much about the Christian faith still considers himself a learner.
He has been apprehended by Christ, and he is determined to pursue the purpose for which Christ has called him.
Then comes the familiar image of the runner:
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (verses 13–14)
There is no suggestion that Paul has forgotten his past in the ordinary sense. He remembers his persecution of the church and his encounter with Christ. But he refuses to let either his former accomplishments or his former failures determine the direction of his remaining life.
He is looking forward.
The race is not over.
There is still a prize ahead.
6. Our Citizenship Is in Heaven
Paul concludes this chapter with a reminder that puts the whole Christian life into perspective.
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (verse 20)
The word conversation in the King James Version refers here to our citizenship.
The Philippians lived in a Roman colony and understood the privileges and responsibilities of belonging to a greater commonwealth.
Paul uses that familiar idea to remind them that their ultimate citizenship is not Roman, Greek, or any other earthly nationality.
It is heavenly.
And the One we await is not an earthly ruler or political deliverer.
It is Jesus Christ.
Paul tells us that He will change our lowly bodies so that they will be fashioned like His glorious body, according to the power by which He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.
What a promise!
The body that grows weary, suffers, and eventually returns to the dust is not the final chapter for the believer.
Our future is bound up with the risen Christ.
The man who began this letter in chains is now pointing his readers toward the resurrection and the glory that awaits them.
What Philippians 2 and 3 Teach Us Today
These two chapters give us several truths worth carrying into our daily lives.
First, the Christian life begins with the mind of Christ. We are not called to make ourselves more important but to follow the example of the One who humbled Himself for our salvation.
Second, God works within us as we live out our faith. Our obedience is not an attempt to earn His favor. It is the fruit of His work in our lives.
Third, knowing Christ is worth more than every earthly accomplishment. Paul had religious credentials that few could match, but he found something infinitely greater in Jesus.
Finally, the Christian race is not finished until we reach the prize.
We must not become prisoners of yesterday's failures or yesterday's successes.
We press forward toward the calling of God in Christ Jesus.
A Closing Thought
There is something especially encouraging about Paul's words in these chapters.
He is an older man now, imprisoned, uncertain of what Caesar will decide, and conscious that his earthly life may be drawing toward its close.
Yet he is not finished growing.
He still wants to know Christ more deeply. He still presses forward. He still looks toward the prize.
Perhaps that is one of the great lessons of Philippians.
We never reach an age when knowing Christ becomes less important, when growing in grace is no longer necessary, or when the race is finished simply because we have traveled a long way.
The years behind us may contain accomplishments, disappointments, victories, and failures. But the Christian's greatest treasure is not behind him.
It is ahead.
The Savior who humbled Himself unto death has been exalted above every name. He has apprehended us, and He will bring His work to completion.
Let us therefore keep our eyes upon Him.
“That I may know him.”
That was Paul's ambition. May it be ours as well.
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Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Your Son, who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death for our salvation. Give us the mind of Christ. Help us to put aside pride and selfish ambition, to serve one another faithfully, and to grow in the knowledge of our Lord. Teach us, as Paul did, to count all things loss for the excellency of knowing Jesus Christ. Whatever our circumstances or our years, keep us pressing toward the prize of Your
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May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.
May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.
May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.
Words: Kate B. Wilkinson, before 1913.
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