Perfectionists and

LawkeepersChap 3:1- 4:1

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The Structure of the BookOpening and introduction 1:1-2Paul and the Philippian Church 1:3-26Exhortation and Examples 1:27-2:30Warnings 3:1-4:1 The Danger of Ritual 3:1-6

A Better Alternative 3:7-11 The Danger of Perfectionists and Lawbreakers 3.12-4:1

Encouragement Gratitude and Final Greetings 4: 2-23

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IntroductionPaul uses a number of metaphors to describe his relationship to the churches he writes to. E.g. he describes himself as a mother in relation to her children [1Thes.2.7] ...a father who encourages and comforts [1Thes.2.11] . It is impossible to read Paul’s epistles without seeing his parental concern for the safety and well-being of his spiritual children. Children do not always appreciate the depths of concern that lies behind their parents warnings: "Be careful when you cross the road; Don't wait until its dark to come home; Don't get into a car with a stranger!" The wise parent knows that repeated warnings are necessary. Earlier in the chapter Paul warned against a group known as Judaisers, who placed emphasis on human performance and empty ritual. In v12-21 Paul warns his readers of two further dangers.

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Perfectionism

Paul having previously mentioned the resurrection of the dead now enters the disclaimer, in v12 "Not that I have already....been made perfect." In thinking about salvation it is important to understand that although we speak about it in the present tense - 'I am saved', we cannot separate it from the future tense, 'I will be saved'. The Christian looks forward to a great and final day of deliverance from indwelling sin. Hence in Rom. 8.24. Paul speaks about being 'saved in hope'.

There a hint in v12ff that the church was being troubled by a group teaching perfectionist doctrine i.e. that perfection is something which we can achieve now. Some continue to make such claims today they claim that from a certain date they have lived a sinless life.

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PerfectionismFreedom from sin, in scripture does not mean sinlessness, it means no longer under the tyranny of sin. The war is not over. Fighting still goes on. No matter how many victories we win, we live life with this limitation: ‘we are still sinners’. This is the thrust of Paul's words in v12 'Not that I have already obtained...". This of course should not prevent us from pursuing perfection. Someone has said, ‘perfection is an impossible standard but the only one worth striving after.’ Paul rejected perfectionist claims but he did not reject the need to strive for perfection hence 12b...

‘grasping even more firmly that purpose for which Christ has grasped me.’[ Phillips translation.] That purpose is the restoration of the image of GOD in our lives. Think of rare archaeological finds that have been painstakingly restored after many years. How much more satisfying to see the image of God restored in lives that have been vandalised by sin.

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Perfectionism

Do you see how Paul distances himself from the influence of perfectionist teaching and any claim to have arrived spiritually?

Perfectionist teaching tends to cut through the nerve of moral endeavour, it destroys any incentive to "press towards the mark". It cultivates a spirit of complacency and creates a superficial view of righteousness. If you think you have won the race you don't keep on running!

This striving is teased out in the language of v13-14. Here is a man straining forward reaching for the finishing tape.

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DistractionPaul speaks of 'forgetting what lies behind.' The athlete can't afford to look back, it slows him down. What might the Christian look back upon? 1. His religious achievements and past successes!

During his second missionary journey Paul moved from the his fruitful ministry in Thessalonica to the city of Corinth. It would have been understandable if he had gone there with great confidence, thinking, ' God has used me mightily in the recent past he will certainly do so again in this new situation.' But we read in 1Cor.2.3, 'I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling'. His heart was gripped by a sense of his own nothingness, knowing that if God chose not to bless his work would be in vain.

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Distraction2. Looking back at past failures and being distracted by them.

John Bunyan in “Pilgrim's Progress” describes a man with a rake in his hand who constantly rakes up the past resulting in his discouragement. His vision is so focused upon past failure that he fails to see the angel hovering overhead with a crown in his hand. The memory and influence of the past can cripple our spiritual lives. Christians often drag their past around with them like a ball and chain. They are harder on themselves than God is. They refuse to forgive themselves.

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DistractionOthers, who have had a particularly unhappy family background or childhood make that an excuse for their lack of growth as Christians. They say, 'I behave as I do because I was badly scarred as a child'. We must not underestimate the profound psychological impact, which and unhappy childhood can have. But we must not loose sight of God's ability to heal. He can deal with the marks which our past life has left upon us. We can forget the things that are left behind and find healing and wholeness in the grace of the gospel.

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AntinomiansIn v17ff Paul turns his attention to another group troubling the church, described in v18 as 'enemies of the cross of Christ'. They are generally called 'Antinomians'. People who taught that the grace of God gave them licence to behave as they liked.Paul begins with the exhortation to be ‘followers of him’ v17. Elsewhere he says, 'be followers of me as I am of Christ.' 1 Cor 11.1. The Christian is to be a transmitter of heaven's lifestyle.

We all tend to pattern our lives on other people. Paul sought to pattern his life on Jesus. That is a safe example to follow and to use to judge the lives of others not least those whom Paul describes as ‘enemies of the cross of Christ’.

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AntinomiansThe antinomians engaged in a self-indulgent lifestyle. They argued that we should ‘go on sinning so that grace may increase’ Rom 6.1. The self-indulgent character of their lives is seen in the expression, ‘their God is their stomach’, a general reference to unbridled appetites and lusts. The words 'whose glory is their shame' are thought to refer to immoral practices.

They make no progress in spiritual maturity because holiness of life is not on their agenda. They see the gospel as providing them with a ticket for heaven - that is as far as it goes. Their behaviour disgraces the grace of God. When self-indulgence is the rule of life, instead of self-denial and self discipline then their end is ‘destruction’.

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AntinomiansThe one effective antidote to antinomianism is presented in the closing verses of the chapter. i.e. to recognise that we are ‘citizens’ of another kingdom v20. At present we are no more than resident aliens in this world. Do you know what it is to feel that you really do not belong here? Our true citizenship is elsewhere. Many Iranian friends have fled their homeland but their heart is still in the country of their birth. They look forward to the day when they will be free to return. They say that the land that they are living in now does not feel like home.Paul wants Christians to be able to say something like that - to point to heaven and say, 'that is where I belong!'

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AntinomiansOn that day our salvation will be gloriously consummated. These bodies of ours which are sin-infected will be utterly transformed. When Jesus returns he will deal with all the lawless things in our nature which prevent his image from shining perfectly in our lives. This sinful residue is not merely to be subdued but completely removed. We shall possess a glorified humanity and not live as ethereal spirits. We shall have new bodies fit to house our ransomed souls. Our earthly bodies will be changed we will possess a reconstituted humanity. Bodies that are free from the frailties, twists and perversities that mark our earthly existence.

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ConclusionThe pledge and the guarantee that this will be so, is the presence now in heaven of the glorified manhood of the Son of God. We know that when he shall appear- it will not be as a spirit but as a man and - we shall be like him. That will be glory indeed!

The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back and Paul longs for his return. The return of Jesus motivates his passion to grow in spiritual maturity. And so Paul encourages his readers also to stand firm and to share in his excitement concerning the return of the Lord Jesus.

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