Past, Present, and Future in Christ

Following Christ to the Cross                                                                                  Fourth Sunday

PHILIPPIANS 3:4b-14

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the Law, blameless.

7Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own, but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Lenten Reflections on Philippians 3:4b-14: Past, Present, and Future in Christ[1]

Many people have a confused understanding of how individuals become Christians. Some believe they are Christians simply because they reside in a "Christian country." Others assume their Christianity is due to being born into a "Christian family." Such individuals are not the first to think their relationship with God is determined by birth, nationality, or even good deeds. The apostle Paul provides a "before and after" comparison of the foundations of his relationship with God.

As we continue on our Lenten journey, we are called to reflect deeply on our relationship with Christ, as underscored by the profound teachings of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:4b-14. This sacred period prompts us to examine whether we take our Christianity for granted and what steps we can take to ensure our faith is genuine and living.

Understanding "Before" and "After": Paul's Testimony

Paul was born into a very religious family, belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin was Jacob's youngest and favorite son. While other Jewish people abandoned their language and culture to conform to Roman and Greek influences, Paul's family remained loyal as "Hebrews among Hebrews." As he grew up, Paul became a Pharisee—a zealous advocate of the Jewish faith. He adhered strictly to the Law and persecuted those who sought to alter the traditional Hebrew religion. Paul was confident that if God accepted anyone based on birth, nationality, or actions, he would undoubtedly have God's favor and approval.

I have talked to people today who similarly think that because they were born into Christian families, they have God's ultimate approval. Many people, especially in the South, are born into such a family of churchgoers. Attending weekly and evening services. They even learn to recite the Apostles' Creed and Lord's Prayer, maybe John 3:16.

Quoting a creed does not make you a Christian any more than counting to ten in Spanish makes you a Mexican! Many people I have known have similarly pointed back to something they "did: to become a Christian, such as being baptized, but Paul says that he counts everything he did as "rubbish." People are not born into the Kingdom, and they do not earn their way into the Kingdom.

In the apostle's own life, we see the dangers of complacency in faith. Paul, initially a proud Pharisee, relied heavily on his heritage, religious fervor, and accomplishments. He identified himself as a "Hebrew among Hebrews," steeped in tradition and zealous for the Law. Many today might similarly believe their Christianity is secured by birth into a Christian family or regular church attendance. This notion is a misconception; being a Christian transcends mere labels or cultural identity.

Our Lenten journey encourages us to reflect on our past. We must recognize that, like Paul, our confidence can easily rest in our accomplishments or family legacy rather than in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. During this Lenten season, we are invited to let go of any false sense of security based on our religious observances or genealogies. Are we, like Paul, willing to consider our past achievements and status as "rubbish" in light of knowing Christ?

The Call to True Knowledge of Christ

Paul was determined to know Jesus; he wasn't interested in just knowing about Him. Creeds and doctrines may inform us about Jesus, but they cannot replace a personal relationship with Him. Our initial personal knowledge of Jesus occurs when the risen Jesus touches our hearts through the Holy Spirit and reveals Himself to us personally. If Jesus had not risen, this would not be possible. Until that moment comes, our understanding of Him remains secondhand. To honestly know the "fellowship of His sufferings" means recognizing that He bore our sufferings and the punishment for our sins. We are called to participate in Christ's suffering and, as Paul mentioned, to be crucified with Him. He took my cross upon Himself; now, I take His cross as my own.

Paul's transformation is compelling. He moves from knowing about Christ to intimately knowing Christ. Lent offers us an opportunity to deepen this relationship. Knowing Christ is not about affirming creeds or doctrines, however essential they may be. It involves a personal, transformative encounter with the risen Lord.

During this season, let us commit to seeking Jesus through prayer, scripture reading, and worship. This intentional pursuit is how we move from secondhand knowledge to firsthand experience. Lent challenges us to participate in the "fellowship of His sufferings," understanding that our faith is not solely about receiving but also about embracing the hardships that come with discipleship. How can we engage more deeply in Jesus' sufferings this season, reflecting on our sacrifices and empathizing with those who suffer around us?

Anticipating the Call to Resurrection

Paul looks forward to his resurrection from the dead and anticipates the day when he will stand before God, not dressed in the righteousness he thought he had earned by following the Law and serving God, but in the righteousness that Jesus has given him.

Paul tells his readers that this same future is available to them, as it was to him, through faith. By faith, we invite the risen Jesus into our hearts. By faith, we trust that He has taken the penalty for our sins. By faith, we participate in His suffering when we acknowledge the pain our sins caused Him. By faith, we consider everything we have done—good, bad, or indifferent—a total loss. By faith, we turn to Jesus, desiring to know Him alone.

Ultimately, Paul speaks of a future hope anchored in the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. His aim is not to cling to the past but to press on toward the goal of the heavenly prize. This goal offers profound encouragement for us as we navigate our Lenten journey.

As Christians, we are called to cast aside our self-reliance and look toward the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ—where our sins are forgiven, and our identities are transformed. This Lenten season encourages us to surrender all that we might hold on to so that we may, through faith, receive the immeasurable grace offered by Christ. Are we willing to open our hearts to this journey of faith, trusting in His righteousness and actively participating in our sanctification?

Practical Steps for the Faithful

1. Examine Your Heart: Each of us should take time for self-reflection to discern whether our faith is rooted in tradition or a genuine relationship with Christ. Journaling during Lent may help clarify areas where we need to rely less on our efforts and more on His grace.

2. Practice Sacrificial Living: Embody the spirit of Lent by engaging in acts of service and sacrifice. Whether through fasting, giving, or serving those in need, each act reminds us to participate in Christ's suffering and love.

3. Deepen Your Knowledge of Christ: Engage with scripture daily. Read the Gospels and reflect on Jesus' life, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice. Commit to praying and asking God for more profound insight.

4. Participate in a Community: Engage with a community of believers. Whether through a small group or a church gathering, having fellowship fosters accountability and promotes shared learning on this journey toward knowing Christ more fully.

5. Cultivate a Hopeful Anticipation: As we move through Lent, let us keep our eyes fixed on the promise of resurrection. Trust that, in Christ, our struggles have purpose and that we will one day share in His eternal glory.

Through this Lenten season, let us consciously choose to transcend the confines of complacent faith and embrace the transformative journey of knowing Christ—past, present, and future.

Bibliography

Groover, B. (2025, April 2). Sermon Options: April 6, 2025. Retrieved from Ministry Matters: https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/3643/sermon-options-april-3-2022

NIV Study Bible. (2011). Grand rapids, MI: Zondervan.

NRSVue. (2022). NRSVue Holy Bible with Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Powery, E. B., Davis, S., Foskett, M. F., Strawn, B. A., Hibbard, J. T., Kooseed, J. L., . . . Setzer, C. (Eds.). (2024). The Westminster Study Bible. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

[1] The idea for this article comes from Bill Groover's article on Ministry Matters, April 6, 2025, sermon options. The original sermon can be found at: https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/3643/sermon-options-april-3-2022