The Mindset of Maturity.

In v. 15 of Philippians 3 Paul moves on from the ‘athleticism’ of vv. 13-14, the “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” and say’s, “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things [NAS has, ‘Let us, therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude....’]....”

The RRExp might sound something like this: “In light of what I’ve just taught you about ‘pressing on toward the Goal’ of conformity to Christ Jesus, let as many of us as are mature, keep on thinking this way, keep on taking this view, keep on embracing this mindset and motivation.”  We see action in progress here, and which is expected by the writer to be constantly so.  That’s the idea.  Now, let me see if I can break down for you some of what Paul has in mind here.

 I   Humility— in 2:3-5.  “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”  Two things to learn here: [a] Humility is the attitude which leads to victory in the spiritual realm; and [b] arrogance is the attitude which leads, inevitably, to defeat.

II. Obedience in 2:8 and 12.  Obedience begins with the attitude of humility, which means a surrender to divine authority, acceptance of a will not your own in a power beyond your own.  It starts with the Word of God and leads to the will of God.

III The mindset of stability and fortitude— the ‘faithful conflict and competition’ of 1:27.  In this passage Paul say’s, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you ‘stand firm’ [Steko, a military term.] in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the Gospel [Sunathleo refers to a team of athletes working together, striving for the same goal.].”

IV The mindset of vigilance in 3:1-3.

V. The power of passion, hunger, desire.  Paul was one of the most passionate men who ever lived.  His passion for the Person of Jesus Christ drove him every day.  He talks about his passion for Jesus in 3:7-11.  We ought to have— every one of us— a passion in our spiritual lives, a hunger and zeal for Truth, for righteousness, for service in the Cause of Christ.

VI A mentality of perseverance to the Finish.  Paul brings this out in 3:12-14.  What’s he saying there?  “Cast the failures of the past to oblivion: move forward, ‘press on’ beyond the chains and the limitations of your past, and win the victory today!”

VII Single-mindedness.  This is an attitude, a mindset, a way of thinking.  Again, found in 3:13b.  What does it say?  “But one thing I do.”  “You have all these distractions, deceptions, and destructions out here in the world,” he writes, “but there is one thing above all others— the Person of Jesus Christ.”  Instead of these twelve things I attempt, Paul said, “This one thing I do.”

If we chose any one of these, and embraced it wholeheartedly to the end of our days, the benefit and the blessing would be enormous, beyond our ability to “ask or imagine” {Eph. 3:20a}.  The impact of this sustained decision would be eternal.  And all of them together?  Life shattering, world shaping.  Truly.

HJC	Ric Webb  |  Shepherd Heart’s Journey Community 9621 Tall Timber Blvd. |  Little Rock, AR 72204 t +1.501.455.0296
hjcommunity.org
Heart’s Journey – Live Generously and Love Graciously