Hold the Line... At All Costs.

In Philippians 3 the aged Apostle moves from an athletic analogy in v. 14 to a military one in v. 16, one equally obvious to the church in Philippi, a city populated by a colony of retired Roman military personnel and their families.  What he’s saying is, “Don’t fall out of ranks.  You’ve come this far by faithfully adhering to the battle-plan of the Royal Battalion.  Don’t take the ‘route of retreat’ this late in the War.”  “Only let us live up to [‘Let us keep on,’ present tense, ‘living up to’] what we have already attained,” v. 16 {NIV}.

So, not only are we to hold the ground we’ve gained, we are to gain new ground, occupy new territory, press the advance in the Cause of Christ right to the heart of the enemy’s stronghold!  The point?  Spiritual retreat is never the solution to any problem you will ever have in life!  Ever.  This is an absolute statement, I get it, unequivocal and unapologetic.  But that doesn’t make it any less true.  You don’t retreat from the ground you’ve gained.  General Patton said, “I never pay for the same piece of real estate twice.”

There’s a lesson to learn here.  As you make progress in your spirituality, in your intimacy with Abba and your communion with Jesus Christ, don’t give up ground; don’t shrink away from the challenge; don’t become timid and fearful; don’t let the enemy start haunting you like a specter in the night.  Now, here’s the question which comes with it.  Where are you, right now, and what does this imply in your life?  Have you, slowly but steadily, backed away?  Are you thinking about retreat, are you planning an escape ...or are you “living up to the standard you’ve already attained?”

The verb for “let us live” is stoicheo, signifying to ‘advance in a line.’  Stoicheo was a military word in the ancient world meaning- ‘march in ranks.’  Therefore, the idea is- ‘don’t fall out of ranks in the Royal Battalion, stay in position, hold the line at all costs!’

This was the cornerstone of success in the Spartan infantry.  They had been trained in the art of war since the age of seven, and they refused to break the line, ever.  They would advance on an enemy like a solid mass of churning death, bristling with spears in the phalanx, deadly silent save for the sounds of the salpigx, the trumpet which sounded out their commands.  No war cries, no shouting, no shrieking, nothing but this deadly, silent, unstoppable machine of war.  The whole time they were advancing toward the line of battle they would speak, calmly and coolly, words of encouragement meant to fortify the nerves of their compatriots, their brothers in arms.  This perfect, unified, silent formation served to demoralize and unnerve their opponents.  Oftentimes, as soon as they lowered their spears to the tops of their shields in preparation for attack— all in perfect unison— the enemy would bolt, or at least a portion of his forces, which would then leave him wide open for attack.  Such was the power and mystique of the Dorian foot soldier!

With the present tense and active voice, Paul is commanding the Philippians to ‘keep on marching in ranks, to follow diligently and daily the path which has brought them this far.’  When you have advanced to a certain level of instruction and initiation, when this particular phase in Abba’s Plan is a reality, be consistent with your growth as His Child in His grace.  That’s what Paul’s saying.  “Hold the ground that you’ve gained... and never retreat.”  “Let us keep on advancing in ranks” is not a bad translation.  You know why?  Because far too many of Jesus’ Followers fall out of ranks and become casualties in the Conflict.  We have direct orders from our Supreme Commander through his 1^st century Field Marshal to ‘follow the plan of attack.’  Don’t quit on the verge of victory!

HJC	Ric Webb  |  Shepherd Heart’s Journey Community 9621 Tall Timber Blvd. |  Little Rock, AR 72204 t +1.501.455.0296
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