By Ruth Dusingize 
HIGHLIGHT: Drawing examples from Paul the Apostle, our main points of focus this week are: the true meaning of rejoicing in God, the fruits of a genuine conversion, from confidence in flesh to confidence in Christ and how knowing Christ is a progressive experience.
Memory Text: Philippians 3:10-11[NKJV]
[10]”That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Sabbath: The Protestant Reformation started over the role of faith and works in the experiences of followers of Christ. Our study this week assures us that salvation is by faith alone—not by works of the law. Paul warned the Philippians against trusting in circumcision or any human effort for righteousness.
Salvation is a gift that comes only through Christ’s grace, not human merit. Though circumcision isn’t our issue today, the danger of self-reliance remains. We are called to place our full confidence in Christ, “the author and finisher of our faith”, living with assurance, gratitude, and complete trust in His redeeming love. (READ Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 3:3)
Sunday: REJOICING IN THE LORD
The first three verses of Philippians 3 highlight a serious warning against wicked or false teachers, referred to as “dogs”, who were forcing non-Christians to become circumcised to be members of the church. This was against the Jerusalem meeting. Thus, as a solution, Paul calls the people of Philippi to be joyful in the Lord, as He commands us in His word.
Thus, the key to this eternal joy in God is receiving His mercy, placing our trust in Him, receiving the blessings of salvation, adopting His law as our way of life, including the Sabbath, believing His word and raising Godly children. (READ: Philippians 3:1-3; 4:4; Psalms 9:4; 19:4 22:16; 31:7; 119:162; Isaiah 56:10; 58:13&14; Matthew 7:6; 2Peter 2:21&22; Acts 15; Proverbs 23:24,25)
Monday: PAUL’S “PAST LIFE”
However much we may term the non-Christians as good people according to the world’s standards, we all don’t all qualify to be called good people in front of God. Paul, a devout and staunch Jew by birth and upbringing, loved the law so much that he attacked the Christians because he thought they didn’t respect the Jewish law and way of life.
This seemed right, humanly speaking; however, he stood guilty in front of God. However, it is upon having an encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus that he truly understood the depth of God’s righteous law and above all, his only need and delight being Jesus Christ to be saved.
(READ Philippians 3:4-6,9; Hebrews 6:1; 9:14; Romans 2:25-29; 7:7-12; Acts 22:3; 26:4&5; Matthew 5:21&22,27&28)
Tuesday: THE THINGS THAT MATTER
Paul, previously gauged right using the values that the Jews delighted in. Upon conversion, he used the biblical values as taught by Jesus as the new gauge for right. Jesus Christ, as seen through God’s word, draws our minds from focusing on temporary things offered by this world, to the heavenly things that will never perish.
Jesus came to show us the spiritual danger we are in here on earth and warns us about the danger of loving objects here on earth that will perish. Rather, we must fill our hearts with things that God considers valuable, and that is working with Him in winning souls back to Him. (READ John 9; Matthew 13:22; Luke 4:5&6; 1John 2:16)
Wednesday: THE FAITH OF CHRIST
Previously, Paul believed that his achievements and efforts would secure his salvation. However, meeting Christ made him realise how ineffective all those were, so as to be saved. When we are in Jesus Christ, we are born again and made wise by God. He makes us holy and gets us ready for heaven.
Finally, at Christ’s second coming, our bodies will be transformed. Jesus does everything for us and in us. Therefore, when we accept Jesus in our hearts, we have everything we need. And if we are in Christ and He lives in us, then we live by His faith through our faith in Him. And thus taking pride only in Him. (READ Philippians 3:8&9; Ephesians 1:4,10; 1Corinthians 1:10; 2Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 2:9; Galatians 2:20; 3:21&22; James 2:19)
Thursday: JUST ONE THING-KNOWING CHRIST
For us to be acknowledged by Jesus, we have to know Him and we do so by reading the Word of God and living it as well. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us in these footsteps. Secondly, we know Jesus went through trials. Passing through the hard times makes us appreciate His sacrifice for us and gives us a chance to understand Him more clearly.
Thirdly, we have to believe that our sins are forgiven, let go of the past, forget it and look forward towards the heavenly prize, which is the goal. This is a continuous work in progress in the life of a Christian. Constant knowledge of Jesus and frequently inviting His presence into our lives draws us closer and closer to being like Him in every possible way.
(READ Philippians 3:10-16; Matthew 7:21-23; 10:32&33; Romans 6:4; 1Corinthians 9:24-27)
Friday: FURTHER THOUGHT
To be a well-balanced Christian and one who is to reach the standard of Christian excellence in the sight of God, one must give all and do all for Christ and must daily learn the meaning of self-surrender. One must study the word of God, learning its meaning and obeying its precepts.
In addition, God daily works with this Christian, perfecting his character that is to stand in the time of the final test. Furthermore, God’s children are to manifest His glory, revealing what His grace has done for them in their own lives and character. (READ Acts of the Apostles p.483; Christ’s Object Lessons p.415&416 by Ellen G White)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS;
- Life can be very difficult for us all, no matter how well things might be going at the moment. But, even if they are not going well now, what things can you and should you rejoice about? What is stopping you from doing it?
- The world can blind us to spiritual truths and to what is really important. What is the key to keeping our eyes focused on what truly matters?
- Why, in your walk with the Lord, is it important not to keep looking back, at least back at your sins and failures, but instead to look ahead to what you have been promised right now in Christ?
- Dwell more on this idea of not having confidence in the flesh. What does that mean? Why should we not have confidence in it? Isn’t our flesh a gift from God?
Edwin Kyle Kule