Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Being “right-minded”: Mature thinking is not “having arrived.” It is continually growing and never going backward.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Being “right-minded”: Credentials are okay. They're not bad or evil. I wouldn't want an uncredentialed brain surgeon operating on me. However, credentials only go so far. They are, in Paul's words, rubbish (literally dung) in comparison to a right relationship with God and experiencing, not just knowing about, his life and purpose. To be right-minded, keep it in perspective.

Philippians - Being Right-Minded

Phil 2:25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Being “right-minded”: Example two - Epaphroditus. He risked his life to be the Philippians' servant to Paul in Paul's time of need.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 2:17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

Being “right-minded”: Example two - Timothy. He was like-minded with Paul (and Jesus) in that he didn't seek his own, but was concerned about the good of the Philippians. He served Paul the way Jesus served his Father.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Being “right-minded”: Did Jesus complain about what he had to do? Do we trust that what God is working out in our lives is good? Don't be a whiner!

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Being “right-minded”: Supreme example number one is Jesus. When we talk about being one-minded, or ask whose “one mind” to centralize on, let His mind be in us. His mind was to not hold on to what was rightfully his at our expense, but to lay it aside and give up his life for our good. He had lowliness of mind in regard to Himself and looked out for others.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Whose “one mind” do we centralize on? Mine? The preacher's?

2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, (and there is), if any comfort of love, (and there is), if any fellowship of the Spirit, (and there is), if any affection and mercy, (and there is), 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Being “right-minded”: Full joy comes in us being like-minded, one-minded, of one accord, but this does not mean being cookie-cutter copies of each other. Looking out for others' interests does not have anything to do with embracing others' affinities, as in affinity-based groupings in the church. It has to do with seeking the well-being of others, as in “love your neighbor as yourself”. It involves lowliness of mind in regard to yourself and looking out for others.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 1: 19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Being “right-minded”: Life is not about “me” it is about Christ. Our goal is not to escape or abandon. As long as He wants me to labor, I want to be here at the plow.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Conventional wisdom says, “How can being 'tied down' allow for furthering the gospel?”

Phil 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

We think that responsibilities and such keep us from being “free” to serve God.

Being “right-minded”: Paul says that (to quote Romans) God causes all things to work together for good.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Reading the book of Philippians several times recently, I was thinking about the general "message" Paul was communicating to the believers. I landed on the characteristic of being "right minded" or as he says in several places, of one mind, like-minded, of one accord, and so on. I had a chance to speak about this book to a church gathering and will break it down over the next few postings.

Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul's prayer was the their love would -> overflow -> in knowledge and discerment in order to -> approve excellent things with the effect of being -> filled with righteousness fruit.

Being "right-minded" is a result of love overflowing and results in right living for those around you.