NIV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 84
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from the law, i but that which is through faith in a Christ — the righteousness that comes
hrist — yes, to know the power of his
from God on the basis of f aith. j 10I want to know C
eath, l 11and
resurrection and participation in his sufferings, k becoming like him in his d
m
so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, n but
I press on to take hold o of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. p 13Brothers and
sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting
what is behind q and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on r toward the goal to win
the prize for which God has called s me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Following Paul’s Example
15 All of us, then, who are mature t should take such a view of t hings. u And if on some
point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to
what we have already attained.
a
3:10
8:17
6:35
kRo
lRo
3:11
mRev
20:5,6
3:12
n1Co 13:10
o1Ti 6:12
pAc 9:5,6
3:13
qLk 9:62
3:14
rHeb 6:1
sRo 8:28
3:15
t1Co
uGal
9 Or through the faithfulness of
THREE
STAGES OF
PERFECTION
3:9
iRo 10:5
jRo 9:30
2:6
5:10
1. Perfect Relationship
We are perfect because of our eternal union with the infinitely
perfect Christ. When we become his children, we are declared
not guilty and thus righteous because of what Christ, God’s
beloved Son, has done for us. This perfection is absolute and
unchangeable, and it is this perfect relationship that guarantees
that we will one day be completely perfect (see below). See
Colossians 2:8-10; Hebrews 10:8-14.
2. Perfect Progress
We can grow and mature spiritually as we continue to trust
Christ, learn more about him, draw closer to him, and obey him.
Our progress is changeable (in contrast to our relationship; see
above) because it depends on our daily walk—we mature more
during some seasons of life than others. But we are growing to
ward perfection if we press on (Philippians 3:12). The good deeds
we do, however, do not perfect us; rather, as God perfects us,
we do good deeds for him. See Philippians 3:1-15.
3. Complete Perfection
When Christ returns to take us into his eternal kingdom, we
will be glorified and made completely perfect. See Philippians
3:20-21.
All stages of perfection are grounded in faith in Christ and what he has done, not what we can do
for him. We cannot perfect ourselves; only God, “who began a good work in you will carry it on
to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (1:6).
effort can make us right with God. Righteousness comes only from God,
and we are made r ighteous—receive right standing with h im—by trusting
in Christ. When we do this, he exchanges our sin and shortcomings for
his complete righteousness. (For more on Christ’s gift of righteousness,
see 2 Corinthians 5:21.)
3:10 When we become one with Christ by trusting in him, we experience
the power that raised him from the dead. That same mighty resurrection
power helps us live morally renewed and regenerated lives. But as we walk
in our new life, we also share in his death by considering our old way of
life and sinful desires as dead and unresponsive. Just as the Resurrection
gives us Christ’s power to live for him, the Crucifixion marks the death
of our old, sinful nature. We can’t know the victory of the Resurrection
without personally experiencing the meaning of the cross.
3:11 When Paul wrote, “somehow, attaining to the resurrection from
the dead,” he was not implying uncertainty or doubt. He did not know
how he would die, whether by execution or by natural death, but he did
not doubt that he would be raised to life. He knew that his attainment of
eternal life was within God’s power and not his own.
3:11 Just as Christ was exalted after his resurrection, we will one day
share Christ’s glory (Revelation 22:1-7). Paul knew that he might die soon,
but he had faith that he would be raised to life again.
3:12-14 Paul said that his goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and
to be all Christ intended for him. This goal absorbed all of Paul’s energy.
This is a helpful example for us. We should not let anything take our eyes
off our goal—knowing Christ. With the single-mindedness of an athlete
in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything
that may distract us from living like Christ. What is holding you back?
3:12 Sometimes trying to live a perfect Christian life can be so difficult that it leaves us drained and discouraged. We may feel so far from
perfect that we think we can never please God with our lives. Paul used
the terminology of perfection to convey the idea of being mature or
complete, not flawless in every detail. Those who are mature should
press on in the Holy Spirit’s power, knowing that Christ will reveal and fill
in any discrepancy between what we are and what we should be. Christ’s
provision is no excuse for lagging devotion, but it provides relief and
assurance for those who feel driven and overwhelmed.
3:13-14 Paul had reason to forget what was b
ehind—he had held the
coats of those who had stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts
7:57-58; note that Paul is called Saul here). We have all done things for
which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been
and what we hope to become. Because our hope is in Christ, however,
we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us
become. Don’t dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of
God by concentrating on your relationship with him now. Realize that
you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look
forward to the prize of heaven later and a fuller and more meaningful life
now because of your hope in Christ.
3:16 Christian maturity involves acting on the guidance that you have
already received. We may feel that we lack experience or knowledge of
the Christian faith. We can always make the excuse that we still have much