We live in a world in which there is much uncertainty. Usually, our uncertainty is caused by lack of knowledge. It may be the case that what concerns us will turn out to be very good, although we cannot get the comfort from that future good because it is unknown to us at present. Yet, as Christians, there are many things that we can be certain about and Paul mentions some of them in the closing verses of Philippians 3.
He is certain about the benefits of a good example. His statement that we should follow his example could be read as coming from pride in one’s own abilities. Yet Paul has just pointed out that he did not depend on his own strengths. Instead, he knew that God was at work in the lives of his people, and since that is the case they can and should be good examples to everyone.
Paul was also certain about the existence of enemies of the cause of Christ. It is likely that he has the Judaisers in mind, false teachers who wanted to add legalism to the gospel. In doing this, they so distorted the gospel as to make their message dangerous for those who adopted it. Yet, Paul was grieved at their actions and at their destiny if they kept going in that path. So while he was certain of their errors and the terrible consequences they faced, he was also certain that the appropriate response to them is not one that is merely clinical. Our response to the false teachers that we meet must come from the heart.
No doubt, the false teachers mentioned by Paul imagined that they had certainty, and it is true that false teachers often give that impression to others. How can we recognise true certainty? One answer is by appreciating what is said about power to live for God now and in the future. We need more than mere religion. In addition, we need certainty about grace and glory.
Regarding grace, the apostle was certain that believers can live in two places simultaneously. He informed the Philippian Christians that already they were members of God’s city (he used the privileges that the inhabitants of Philippi had as citizens of Rome as an illustration of Christian privileges). As members of the heavenly city, they could experience on earth some of its delights and duties as they received them from heaven through the work of the Spirit in their lives. God’s city never runs out of resources for any of its citizens, wherever they are.
And Paul looked ahead to the return of Jesus with great certainty. As he looked at his physical body he would have seen many defects. Instead of looking back to the strength he had when he was younger he looked ahead and anticipated what his body would experience when he would be glorified. He was certain that his weak body would be renewed by his Saviour and that he yet would have the kind of body that would enjoy an environment of glory forever.
What are we certain about today? What would we like to be certain about today? What should we be certain about today?
