The Fourth Sunday in Lent (NT)

Philippians 3:1-16

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

² Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count 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 that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But 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 upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

What is it that St Paul wishes to attain? Is it Heaven? Is it worldly wealth? Is it the respect of his people? Or is it more followers? St Paul desires to attain the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He desires to join with Christ in suffering, and share in the one harvest.

It is all about our hope. If we are to hope in this life only we are greatly to be pitied. If we are to hope only in Heaven than God's creation will never be restored. We need to forget about what lies behind us, and strain forward to Christ's glorious return. We have nothing to gain by worldly honor or respect. We can gain nothing in ourselves.

Count all these things as loss. Count this world, nation, community, and family as loss for the sake of Christ. We suffer with Christ. We die with Christ. So let us hope to be raised with Jesus our Lord. He provides for you his righteousness. He claims you through faith and forgives you all your sins.