Two Paths

I remember when we first moved to Dallas from Topeka. I was driving a little rental truck with our few pieces of furniture, clothing and books. In our efforts to find the seminary neighborhood, I went a little too far and, landed in what is affectionately called "the spaghetti bowl" for its tangled loops of asphalt. As a result, I got off on the wrong exit. I found myself in a sketchy neighborhood.

In the theology and philosophy of many these days, there is no wrong road, there are no wrong turns. As in my initial Dallas adventure, the Apostle Paul insisted, one is either on the right road or the wrong road:

"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For as I have often told you before and now say again even 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. 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, which transforms our lowly bodies, so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:17-21

Paul first refers to "the pattern we gave you." This is both in teaching and the way Paul lived his life. His ultimate priority, his only goal, was to glorify Christ and to bring the good news of grace and truth to as many people as possible. Christ was glorified, not only in the teaching and writings of Paul but, also in the selfless way he lived his life. He willingly left behind position, power, prestige and privilege in order to become all Jesus wanted him to be. Here, he encourages his readers to follow the same pattern.

This pattern is in stark contrast to another path that some take: to live as enemies of the cross. Paul speaks of the destination of these people with clarity and with tears. Like God, Paul does not want to see people walk headlong into destruction. The mindset of these people is "on earthly things" (see Colossians 3), their god is their stomach (hedonism), and their glory (earthly fame) is their shame.

In contrast to this path to destruction, Paul comes back to the path of his redemption: a citizenship in heaven, eagerly awaiting a Savior (the Lord Jesus). Christ has the power to bring everything under his control (to ultimately redeem everything) and, even to transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorified body.

This letter is written to believers who are in need of some joy. Joy is theirs to have and enjoy, but, losing their focus for a while, they have let their minds and hearts slip into the pattern of this world, to dwell on earthly things. These things may bring bursts of happiness, but biblical joy is found in knowing our destination. That destination comes quicker than we think, and it lasts forever. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He alone holds your destiny, hope, and joy.

View from Above

May's trip to Laguna was the third time I have been there. Before this trip, I would have told you with a clear conscience that I knew what Laguna looks like. The first two times, I drove downtown and walked out on the beach. I truly believed I had seen Laguna Beach, California.

This time, Laguna was not an add-on, it was our main destination. I found an old but nicely remodeled hotel about a mile from the city center. Wanting to avoid walking down Highway 1, I got out a map. What I discovered were several hidden coves with public access, and some parks granting views from above. From this perspective, you can see down through clear water to light sand, dark rocks and kelp forests. From the park closest to our hotel, you can see the city of Laguna and all the way down the coast to Dana Point. The eye level beach views are relaxing; the view from above is, well, breathtaking!

Paul refers to perspectives as he addresses the believers in Philippi. He has just laid out for them his value system: there is nothing in this world he loves as much as Jesus Christ, and he had willingly given it all up for the sake of knowing him. He had gone on to say that he has not arrived in his faith, so keeps straining forward for the fullest realization possible of Jesus' calling on his life. Lest the readers think that this is some ultra-spiritual perspective possible only for Paul and the apostles, he clarifies:

"All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Philippians 3:15-16

Paul's "view from above" is to be shared by all who have made reasonable progress in the Christian life. He acknowledges that there may be different points of view and, as if referring to an earlier statement that God will complete in them the good things he has started, he affirms that God will show each of them in due course all they need to see. In the meantime, he reminds them to live the life they claim to believe. God reveals more and more to us as we demonstrate faithfulness where we are, with what we know. It is important to note that this perspective, too, allows Paul to love them where they are without dogmatic insistence on immediate agreement.

From above, we find joy in the present and future, in the darks and lights, and in the ups and downs. Each contrasting feature adds to the beauty of the scene God has created. We just can't see it while we stand at sea level. Be faithful where you are and ask God to create a deep yearning in your soul for the view from above. It will take your breath away.

Press On

On our recent trip to Cali, we passed through parts of 5 states. We saw many types of scenery each day...variations on the desert theme, mountain landscapes, palms, pinions, dramatic rock formations, even Las Vegas rising like a gaudy lady of the night in the unlikely surroundings of a barren landscape. We stopped in a smaller town to be nourished by pool, spa and buffet. For many, this little stop in Mesquite, Nevada was the final destination of their journey. For us, Mesquite represented a milepost along the way, but it was not our destination. While we were clearly no longer in Colorado, we had not yet arrived.

The Apostle Paul speaks of a similar dynamic in his walk with Christ. He lays out the unsurpassed joy and fulfillment of knowing Christ in Philippians 3:7-11. Then he makes sure his readers know what he knows, that he has not yet arrived:

"Not that I have already attained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

Like travelers on their way to a destination, Paul knows that he has not yet fully attained his goal: To know Christ, to emulate Christ, to become all Christ wants him to be. He strains toward it with unswerving focus. He will not be satisfied with some lukewarm approximation of the real thing in his life.

Mesquite is okay. Sitting in the hot tub under the sunset, with chattering Mexican Grackles making their nests in the palms overhead, while a sliver of moon arose over the desert mountains, it was not hard to see why some would stop there. How different our trip would have been had we settled for this midpoint in our destination. We would have missed standing on cliffs overlooking the vast Pacific surrounded by lush gardens and the music of surf and gulls.

Keep your eye on the destination. Like Paul, forget what is behind and lean forward to fall head over heals in love with Jesus, becoming him to those around you, absorbed with this goal so that all else pales by comparison, overwhelmed with joy.

He has more in mind for you. He truly has your eternal best interest at heart. Press on!

Knowing Joy

I have become acquainted with a great many leaders and teachers over the decades. Seeing them from a distance, most seem admirable, projecting just the right balance of humility, giftedness and strength. Coming to know them on a more intimate level, their human frailties and flaws become more evident (as with all of us). A few exceptional men have proven over extended periods of  time that they are who they seem to be. When this happens, it is a priceless, inspiring experience. Take that experience and multiply it by an infinite power, and you will begin to understand how Paul felt about knowing Jesus Christ:

"But whatever was my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:7-11

Paul had just admonished the Philippians not to rely on the works of the flesh (in this case, trying to fulfill the law of Moses) to achieve righteousness before God, and reminded them of his own accomplishments, education and birthright to take pride in such things. Now he elaborates that all of that is less than worthless (counting it all as rubbish) in comparison to knowing Christ. His righteous standing before God is not by keeping the law, or personal perfection of some sort, but is by trusting in the perfection of Christ, who fulfilled the law on our behalf--deep faith in him resulting in a willingness to join in his sufferings--dying as he did, to be raised as he was. I believe that Paul's use of "somehow" here cannot imply that he must be good enough at all this to attain resurrection (thus contradicting the thrust of his argument), but  simply means it is beyond his ability to explain the miracle of it.

Mature faith is so enthralled with Jesus, so obsessed with him, that nothing else matters, or if it does, it only matters as a temporary means of glorifying (and bringing others into relationship with) him. This is true serenity and joy, when all that matters is knowing him in all his excellence, integrity, faithfulness and gifts. It does not happen by straining or human effort, but by giving him our all. We give everything to him, not because he needs it from us, rather so that he can redeem it all in time. Paul could joyfully say that he had lost everything for Jesus. If we see Paul's faith as special and beyond our abilities to achieve, we forget that he was once full of hatred and murderous venom. Jesus took the greatest of sinners and transformed him into a light for the ages so that we would have the same hope, the same possibilities, and the same joy.

Know Jesus, know joy.

Joy Beyond Me

I have a fantasy of hosting a broad jumping contest. I would invite everyone in the world. Details, including the prize, would be revealed the day of the event. There would be announcements on TV, on the Internet and in print. Word of mouth would spread the news. I would invite the world to meet me at the south rim of the Grand Canyon on such and such a date for "the event of a lifetime."

That morning, as the sun chases the morning mist from the deep recesses of the canyon, thousands of people will line up at the rim. A helicopter will record the jump. The instructions are simple:  "JUMP! THOSE WHO REACH THE OTHER SIDE WIN THE ULTIMATE PRIZE--LIFE! ALL OTHERS WILL DIE!"

The crowd looks bewildered. There is no way to make the jump and survive. No one can leap to even the closest rock formation, much less the other side of the canyon. It is hopeless. The farther you jump, the farther you fall. The few extra feet that some can jump is utterly meaningless. The chasm is too great. There is no way to reach the other side.

The Apostle Paul spoke of a similar predicament in his letter to the Philippian church. He has just warned the church to watch out for those who would try to achieve a relationship with God by self righteousness through the keeping of the law. He now goes on to say that if anyone could, he could:

If anyone thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Philippians 3: 4b-6

Through his encounter with the risen Christ, Paul was brought face to face with the vast chasm between the sinfulness of even the most righteous man and the holiness of God. The once important status he enjoyed by birthright, study and self righteousness evaporated in the searing light of Christ's presence. So what if he can jump a few feet farther than most other people--the chasm is too great!

People who struggle with addictions, immorality, or dishonesty know they need a bridge, a way to relationship with God. Their utter lack of self-sufficiency drives them to their knees to pray: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" People who feel good about themselves are in far more danger, really, of going to the grave unaware of their need. They broad jump into eternity unaware that the opposite rim of the chasm is too far to reach by human effort. The mentality of "I am a good person and good people go to heaven" is one of the saddest deceptions in the world, especially when dressed up in the garb of "religion" (man's effort to reach God by personal righteousness).

The book of Romans includes indictment and hope in the following statements: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Jesus is the bridge, in fact he said he is the only bridge. Either he is a lunatic, a liar or Lord (C.S. Lewis). The decision you make about what you believe about Jesus does not change him, but it changes you. And it changes your eternity.

When we cease striving to reach the other side by our own attempts, we can live in joy. It is not all up to us any more than it is all about us. It's all about Jesus, the one true bridge. Living with the knowledge that he has made the way, let your joy be a magnet that draws others with you on the way home to intimacy with God.

Safeguard Your Joy

So much of my life I spent waiting for joy. I thought that when I achieved that next degree, accomplished that milestone, moved to the right place, met the right woman, found the perfect church or landed the ideal job that I would find joy. In reality, while those things have all been blessings, other problems still remain. No matter what circumstances change for the better, I still live in a fallen world of broken people. My own broken nature accompanies me wherever I go, whatever I do....

In our pursuit of joy, we sometimes lose sight of reality. We are not in heaven yet. One of our confusions about joy is that we think it means a lack of suffering, a lack of problems, or a lack of conflict. So it may sound odd to us that Paul so easily ties an admonition for joy to a conflictual situation:

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--though I myself have reasons for such confidence. Philippians 3:1-4a

There are layers of principles to observe here. Paul first reminds them that the joy of the Lord is theirs, even though some problems persist. Secondly, he exhorts them to guard the source and foundation of their joy--truth of the gospel. Thirdly, he openly expresses godly anger at those who distort the gospel (here by their insistence on fulfillment of a particular old covenant law about circumcision). Lastly he reminds them of their true qualifications before God: they worship by the Spirit of God, they glory in Jesus Christ, and they put no confidence in the flesh (though if anyone could have such confidence in the flesh, he could).

Please, take my advice, as one who wasted far too much time waiting for joy. Claim your joy now! Cling to the gospel of salvation by union with Jesus Christ. Guard the truth for yourselves and for future generations of believers (if the Lord tarries). Get indignant about those who would distort the gospel that Jesus bought at so great a price, the truth he came to declare. Experience the full joy of relationship with God, through Jesus and empowered by the Spirit. Forget yourself, putting no confidence in the flesh (human effort to reach God by our own goodness). This joy is a circular dance. Embrace it, own it, guard it, worship in it, and rejoice in it!



 

Messengers of Joy

Throughout history, there have been people who have stood out for their vision and self-sacrifice on behalf of future generations.  Small towns and great cities sometimes honor such people with parades and speeches. Even Jesus said there is no greater love than to lay down one's life on behalf of others. We call people who do such things "heroes," and rightly so.

In his thank you letter to the Philippians, Paul highlights two such men. He has just commended Timothy, saying "I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare." Timothy's concern for them was extraordinary in that he had no personal relationship with them, yet was highly motivated on their behalf. Next, Paul speaks of Epaphroditus, a messenger they had sent with financial support for Paul and, who will now return to them with this letter:

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not only him, but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give. (Philippians 2:25-30)

Paul called him brother because they were both adopted into God's family by faith in Christ. He was a fellow worker who did whatever was needed for the ministry of the gospel. He was a fellow soldier in that he put his life on the line, not only  for the Philippians but for the message of Christ everywhere. As the messenger of the church in Philippi, he brought not only financial support but, also joy. It is this same (now deeper) joy that Epaphroditus will bring back to them. Everyone can stop worrying about him, and Paul exhorts them to receive Epaphroditus with joy and honor. As a soldier of Christ, he laid it all down for Christ on their behalf. He deserves a hero's welcome.

We cannot honor too highly those who lay down their lives for the message of joy in the Lord. Some go to other countries to do so and, others do so in their own communities. Take joy in their examples. They are not sitting by passively while the nation sinks into depravity. They are poking holes in the darkness with the sword of God's Word.

There is another inevitable homecoming. Each of us who follow Jesus will enter a gate. Beyond the gate, a throng of joyous people will welcome us. Above the crowd, there is One, even more radiant than the rest. He is eager to greet us and say "Well done good and faithful servant! Come, enter into your reward!"

Nothing else matters. Lay it all down for the joy of the Lord. Be salt and light; be messengers of joy. As we go out on his behalf, he is with us, even to the end of time.


Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:2-3)