Philippians 3:17-4:1 (ESV)
3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
One of the greatest mini-series that I’ve watched was Band of Brothers, the dramatized history of “Easy” Company of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. In one of the episodes, the men are suddenly moved to Bastogne to help defend the city from the German offensive. As the men gather ammo and supplies they encounter a Lieutenant who informs that that they are going to be surrounded by the enemy. Richard Winters, who is leading Easy Company replies, “We’re paratroopers Lieutenant. We’re supposed to be surrounded.”
In a sense, that’s the context of the believers in Philippi; they are surrounded. Philippi was a Roman colony which meant that it was ruled by Roman law and practice with most of its citizens being Roman citizens. Any surviving Greek culture was now cast aside as the Roman citizens tried to implement every Roman practice in Philippi including the establishment of the imperial cult, which was the worship of the Roman Emperor as god.
In verses 18-19, Paul is warning the Philippians against the influence of culturally accepted earthly pursuits that are in opposition to the life they are called to in Christ. Physical indulgence wasn’t just tolerated in Roman culture, it was celebrated. Paul doesn’t provide a list of those earthly pursuits for the Philippians, but if we look at his letter to the Colossians we get the picture that Paul is painting (Colossians 3.:1-11).
That’s why verse 20 stands out so much as Paul talks about the believer’s heavenly citizenship. Paul is crafting the image for the believers that they are a Christian colony in the midst of this Roman culture, bringing the life of Christ and the Kingdom of God into the midst of that culture.
What Paul is wanting the believers to understand is that their citizenship is no longer in relationship with Rome; their citizenship, their identity, and life, is found in Christ and their purpose is to stand firm and live their lives for Christ in all that they do.
In many ways, we are just like the Philippian believers in that we are surrounded. All around us is a culture that increasingly doesn’t know the story of God’s love, forgiveness, and grace lavished upon us in the gift of His Son Jesus.
Now, more than ever, people are watching us to see if Jesus makes a difference in our lives and I’m challenged by a couple of thoughts this morning as I think about this passage.
Are our lives transformed by Christ’s presence in us, or do we live and act just the same as everyone else in behavior and practice?
And then for us as the church; imagine the difference our churches can make if we understand the church as a missional hub or colony of the Kingdom of God in our neighborhoods, towns, and cities.
We are surrounded, but that’s not a cause for despair, it’s an opportunity. The fields are white for harvest.
Remember the words of Jesus in John 4:35 (ESV)
Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott