S9E11 - The Call to Knowing God

The entire Bible has been given to us so we may know God, understand a life of God- honor, and live in a manner "worthy" of the One Who created us. Six times in the letters the words "manner worthy" are used to describe the walk of a God follower. It means we honor God (As well as ourselves) by placing honorable weight upon our great God. Let's think through what Paul taught the Philippians in 3:1-21. It will help illuminate the concept of the call to knowing God. This carries on the conversation about Engage Training from the last episode. Useful to us for sure!  

"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you." Paul had been around the block both as a Jew and as a follower of Jesus. While he understood many complicated things (check out the letter to the Romans) he always returned to the heart of the Gospel. He speaks about this in every letter! So to have a "knowing God" mechanism to focus him in the wild events of his everyday crazy was a "safeguard" for him - and all who follow Jesus.

He does not mince words on the challenges: "Beware of the dogs (those who oppress others for personal benefit), beware of the evil workers (those who devise evil plans without regard for either human or God value), and beware of the false circumcision (Jews who live in hypocrisy related to the Word of God); for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. Crazy right? He then goes through his spiritual pedigree: "Although I myself might have confidence even in my flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless." Dang. This man is certified and dangerous. He is not bragging, of course, but setting up a contrast.

(3:7-11)   "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." We don't have enough time here to unpack this, but Knowing Him and His power is what made this wild man tick. And by wild, we mean wild at heart.

So, Paul's goal for the Philippians was the same as he had for himself.
√   What is your God-mechanism for staying connected to God? (3:1-6)
√   In what ways are you able to discern between "dogs" and "evil workers?" (7-11)
√   What ways and at what levels do you value "knowing God?" 

Paul pauses to add some clarity. This is not merely about attaining but also about pursuing! (12-15)

"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become "perfect" (to complete the journey of faith), but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained." 

√   Again - it is ALL about the upward call to knowing God.

Paul returns to the dicey nature of our journey in verses 17-21.

"Brothers, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have seen in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they ar