Sunday, February 16, 2014

Fight for Joy: PRESS on toward the goal... (Philippians 3:14-16) Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

In Philippians 3:4-14 the Apostle Paul uses his own fight for joy as an example for the Philippians’ to follow (see Philippians 3:17a).  In Philippians 3:15-4:1 he transitions to his hearers’ follow-through,Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind” (Philippians 3:16).

In the phrase “let us walk by the same rule” the word rule is “kanōn” referring originally to the measure of a leap in the Olympic games and refers here to the boundary or sphere in which we are to walk (live). In other words Paul is admonishing Christians to  live within the boundaries of the God’s sphere (kingdom). What additional insights to you gain about living in God’s sphere or kingdom from the following Scriptures?

Galatians 6:16--

Romans 14:17--

Luke 12:32-34--

Colossians 1:12-14--

Paul’s instruction to “be of the same mind” is the second of three times he makes this appeal to Christian unity (see 2:2 and 4:2-3). What additional insights about  the importance of unity are gained from the following similar commands to be of the same mind (or like-minded)?

Romans 12:16--

1 Peter 3:8--

1 Corinthians 1:10--

Ephesians 4:1-6--

Application

How is the Holy Spirit leading you to “press toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” in your life/walk?

Memorize This


Philippians 3:14-- I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. © NKJV

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