Pursuit of Righteous Living

August 8, 2019

Text: 3:12-21

Title: The Heavenly Prize

Jesus' glorified body is the same body that will be given at His coming (v21)

Principle: Although a Christian is already righteous through faith in Jesus, but still need to exercise the righteousness from Christ.

Command: Live out the righteousness from faith in Christ (v16).

Reflection

• I know I have a righteousness not because I obey the Law or being good but because of faith in Christ.
• However, this righteousness from Jesus must be seen in my life.
• Therefore, like Paul I have to press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus by being obedient as a servant like Christ Jesus.

Observation

• What is the thing that he needs to be owned by doing his part? (v12)
• The basis of owning that thing is because Christ owns the person (v12)

• What is that thing that a Christian has attained in verse 16?

The idea of the resurrection in verse 11 is continued in verse 12. The resurrection is a future thing. Paul underscored that he has not yet obtained it (the resurrection from the dead). He also emphasized the present status, which is being perfect. Being perfect is not about resurrection rather it is a present perfect state of Christian because of what the Lord Jesus had done. Verse 15 proves that the idea of being perfect is not about the future, rather a present condition. To be perfect is to become righteous not by the Law but by faith in Jesus. This is the idea of positional righteousness. The idea that Paul was trying to convey is that even though he was already perfect positionally, he was striving to finish the goal for the prize for the upward call. Twice he mentioned the word "press" showing the importance of pursuing a life toward a goal. In verse 16 both the position and practical righteousness/perfection is emphasized. Living by the standard or by what we have attained. What we have attained is the righteousness through faith in Jesus and we must live on that righteousness.

In verse 17, Paul encourages them to consider him and others who walk in that standard. The two reasons of this encouragement is tell them the difference between them and those who are enemies of the cross in verses 18 and 19. Another reason is to tell them that they are citizens of heaven who are waiting for the coming of Jesus for the resurrection of the body (vv20-21). Therefore, to live in conformity with positional perfection is necessary as we wait for the coming of Jesus Christ for our resurrection.