“Let those of us then who are mature
be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God
will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.”
— PHILIPPIANS 3:15-16 (NRSV)
Paul continues on in
speaking to the Philippians by the notes of caution: for those who had run
ahead and had somehow attained perfection (or so they thought). He adds himself
to their number, however, in a way as to convince them, those who would run
ahead of Christ in this life, that they should be of the same mind as he is
found exhorting.
If they think differently—and
it’s obvious they are—Paul is urging them to listen to what God will be saying
to them (“This too
God will reveal to you.”).
If those who are running ahead of God would only listen to the Holy Spirit they
would discern their disobedience.
Those who are mature of
faith do not run ahead of God and do not see themselves as superior in any way.
In the last sentence of
this section, Paul urges those who would run ahead to hold fast to what they
have attained—Christ Jesus. At the one time we have attained everything as Christ
Jesus in our salvation, yet we are so totally enamoured still of this life that
we cannot realise that which we ought to have fully attained.
There is a theoretical
attainment—for which we are re-made through a perfect cleansing—and a practical
attainment—that shows us a way to live this eternal life (through initial and
ongoing repentance) even though we are still sinners.
Holding to Two Realities at Once
It may be difficult to
understand that we have two attainments in one.
We have attained all we
need in theory, yet we are somewhat hamstrung still by the practicalities of
our living in this world. On the one hand, we have the fullness of hope that at
any time we can be called forth into the heavenly realm to live eternally with
God. On the other hand, we are somewhat imprisoned to this life: we vacillate
between joy and sorrow because we taste the eternal life that we have, but we
are also reminded we are sinners.
Maybe it is mature person
in the faith who can grasp both realities simultaneously, musing upon and
reflecting over them. They are not concerned about the gap between the
theoretical and practical.
They understand and accept
a solid theology abounding in the mysteries of God.
Perhaps the key phrase the
Philippians 3:15-16 is that we are to hold fast to what we have attained; we
have everything of Christ we can grasp in this life and we are saved, yet we
have only attained, until now, what we can grasp.
Perfection is still some
distance off; we are not there yet, yet we ought not to be discouraged.
***
In gaining ground within
the realm of spiritual maturity we don’t run ahead of God. We have attained the
fullness of Christ, yet practically we still struggle as sinners. The mature
person accepts these two truths in tension and holds them close all their life.
© 2013 S. J. Wickham.
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