Flesh & Christ

As we live on earth, there is a constant struggle, a constant game of tug-of-war between the flesh and Christ. We as humans are sinners, living a broken life, with selfish desires, yearning for the pleasures of the earth. Especially when we come to faith and come to Christ, we are called to live differently, and that change causes us to be torn, between Christ and flesh. I feel like most of our walk, if not all is to realize and to learn to be fully given to Christ. Paul tells us in Philippians 3 not to put confidence in the flesh. Several times in previous chapters, we've been told that the sins and desires of the flesh lead to death and destruction. It is all temporary, whereas a life in Christ leads to an eternity of happiness. It is all a matter of the heart, and our hearts are a battlefield.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ - Philippians 3:7-8

I believe this is a great indicator to see where you stand on the scale between flesh and Christ. When you are able to realize that everything and anything compared to Christ and his greatness is nothing, you have realized God's goodness in your life, and you've been able to give it to Him completely. God is sovereign over all things, and we should strive to be like Him. We want to be righteous in Christ, not in the law (v.9). We want to know him completely, follow him in life and death (v.10).

You can treat this life on earth as a test and as a race. We are pressing on towards an ultimate goal, righteousness, holiness, to be pleasing and to be like Christ. While reading the latter section of the passage I realized how difficult faith really is. To strive for something you know is good, but yet at the same time is so unknown, and yet be willing to give up everything for this unknown good thing. To have such a faith, I truly believe you have to see God's goodness in your life, and see his work, impact and influence on you to really trust Him with everything. But if you are ready to see how God can transform your life, I challenge you to try it, and just take a leap of faith, trusting God and im sure you will be wow-ed by his work.

Paul wraps it up again by bringing it around full circle. He talks about the flesh and Christ again. He distinguishes the difference between those who live for the cross and those who are enemies, living against the cross (v.18).

¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach,and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the powerthat enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. - Philippians 3:18-21

Our destiny and citizenship is heaven. As we wait for our own return into the kingdom of heaven, let us wait patiently while working towards the transformation of our lives, to be more and more like Christ.

verse of the day: Philippians 3:14

¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has calledme heavenward in Christ Jesus.