Bible Speaks
By Rev. L. Althouse

Aug. 15, 2010
Background Scripture: Philippians 3:1B-4:1
Devotional Reading: 1 John 4:7-12

A recent cartoon depicts a man standing at the admissions desk in heaven, outraged because the angel-in-charge requests credentials supporting his claim to be a Christian. “Surely,” he huffs, “you’ve heard of me? I’m Senator Token: I put prayer back into the public schools, the Ten Commandments chiseled on the Capitol steps and led the drive in Congress to have this declared a Christian nation!”

The angel makes no comment, but is depicted lifting a rubber stamp bearing the caption: ”INSUFFICIENT DATA!”

It is apparent that the troublemakers in Philippi are denigrating the Philippian Christians because they are not authenticated by circumcision and possibly other external tokens that Paul calls “the flesh.” That is certainly not an issue with us today, but, as the cartoon suggests, the emphasis upon external tokens still is with us.

Paul says when it comes to “confidence in the flesh,” he is better qualified than most: “… circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law blameless” (3:4-7).

He has all the merit badges he needs. Have you checked yours lately?

Tokenism
Paul understands, however, that compared to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (3:7,8), his credentials are worthless. His whole shopping list of tokens does not add up to the value of his relationship with Christ.

What are your religious merit badges? Baptized, Sunday-schooled, confirmed and married in the church, sing in the choir, serve as usher, trustee or church treasurer, et cetera?

I am not suggesting for a moment that these services are not good for us in our spiritual evolution, but they are not our destination. If, in spite of all of them and more, you do not have a faith that is in charge of your life and brings you through its obstacles, they really do not add up to what you need.

And what do we need? An understanding of “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus,” including the realization that means “not having a righteousness of my own, based on the law, but that which is through faith  in Christ.” Our aim, then, is not to collect spiritual merit badges, but that we “may know him and the power of his resurrection …” (3:9-11).

The purpose of discipleship is to personally know and serve Christ. But the temptation to major in the minor elements of the Christian life persists.

Straining forward
I have never found a more inspiring description of Christian discipleship: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Following Jesus is not so much a matter of “arriving,” as it is “pressing on.” This is sanctification: growing in the Spirit, always reaching beyond where you are to the perfection that, in this life, at least, is just always beyond our reach.

Paul says our focus must be forward, not backward. But many do not look forward because they never finish with the past. Paul says, “Forgetting what lies behind …” and we can only do that when we have settled our past with God, when we have confessed our sins and embraced the grace of His forgiveness.

A parishioner once told me that he believed in the forgiveness of sins, but not his sins. He had not settled the sins of the past. I reminded him that Peter publicly denied Jesus three times and, forgiven, went on to become the head of The Twelve. Paul persecuted the church, was consenting to the death of Stephen and, forgiven, he went to on to become Christ’s great apostle.

So, do you really believe that you are a bigger sinner than God is a forgiver?

Like Peter and Paul, as well as other, lesser sinners, we need to deal with God regarding our past and even our present, and fix our eyes on what lies ahead.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.