Philippians 3:10-21 (NIV)
Read by: Rachel Kim
Just before today’s passage, Paul declared that all the righteousness that he could claim from his life before Christ is to be counted as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. And it's in today's passage that he describes what the knowing Christ looks like. And to most of us, it's shocking, because it’s not all rainbows and unicorns, (if you’re into that sort of thing.)
Rather it’s about resurrection, and when it comes to following Jesus, resurrection is preceded by the cross. As the Philippians face the execution of their friend and their own potential persecution, Paul urges them to press on towards the resurrection. Which is not some kind of escape from the world, but is indeed the hope of new and real life on the other side of whatever this life might have in store for us. This view of things changes everything.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What about this passage stirs up hope in you?
2. The hope of resurrection allows Paul to face suffering of all kinds because he knows that even the worst that the world can do to him is not final. So, though he faces potential execution, he presses on towards that hope. How does the hope of a real embodied life after death reshape the way you might face pain in the present age?
3. With tears in his eyes he writes of those who are enemies of the cross of Christ, of those whose god is their stomach. In contrast he says that Christ has taken hold of him. What areas of your life are you ruled by your stomach, your own appetites and desires? And what would need to change for Christ to take hold of you?
----------GO DEEPER----------
Surprised By Hope
Podcast About Life After Death - Bible Project
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Bible Project Podcast: New Testament Letters >>
Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Historical Context >>
Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Literary Context >>
Bible Project Video: Philippians >>
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