Should we care about our reputations?The end of chapter two had Paul praising Epaphroditus. One explanation is that Paul was being certain that the Philippians understood that Epaphroditus had carried out his assignment well before becoming sick. That is, Paul was rebuilding the man’s reputation.
Last week, we said that one good reason for caring about a reputation was so that we might not hurt our witness for Christ. This week, we added another reason for maintaining a good reputation. It gives us legitimacy when we speak or persuade. Of course, when one makes reputation the highest goal, one can fall victim to pride or to legalism.
Paul called some people “mutilators of the flesh.”The people Paul criticized as “dogs” and “mutilators” weren’t pagans. They were Christians who insisted that one had to follow Jewish laws in order to be Christian. Of course, that included circumcision for the men. Paul insisted that following Christ was not a matter of following certain rules. Christianity just means allowing the life of Jesus to be formed in us.
How do we become part of the Kingdom?Paul listed a lot of rules that he had followed. Then he said that they were absolutely worthless to his new life in Christ. The only thing that counted was being made new, trusting Jesus to transform him.
Many of us first look at God as a school teacher. He is giving us a test with all those rules, and we need to get a passing grade in order to get to heaven. But the only “passing grade” is perfection, and none of us can get that grade. In that sense, God doesn’t just grade on our actions, but our attitudes.
The great news is that this isn’t how God’s plan works. Instead, because of what Jesus has done, God simply asks: Do you want to be part of my Kingdom? When we answer “Yes,” He welcomes us in. There is no test at all.
Sharing in Christ’s life: It’s not all fun and games!When Paul describes the life he now shares with Jesus, he starts off with “suffering.” Apparently part of Kingdom life is putting up with the evil around us. Then he mentions “death.” In one sense, every time we allow God to direct us, we are “killing off” the part of life that God guides us away from. Of course, some Christians are literally killed. But Paul also says that he shares in Christ’s resurrection. Not only will we enjoy heaven someday, but Christians discover that the new life has already begun here on earth. And it is a life that includes peace and joy. (Discussion didn’t bring this out, but Galatians 5:22- 23 also describes this new life as including love, self-control, and many other good things.)
But aren’t there some rules in the Kingdom?The point of following Jesus is that His Spirit guides us. As we learn to recognize His voice, we are guided into proper actions.
In order to be sure we’re hearing His voice, there are some lists of typical Kingdom actions. We mentioned the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and the two great commandments (Luke 10:27). We discussed the Jewish ritual laws as well, wondering if they might have some role in a Christian’s life. (We may come back to that topic later.)
Takeaways
- The essential “rules” are the Ten Commandments. The real question is not which rules
- we’re keeping, but “Are you living as Jesus wants you to?”
- A reputation should be guarded, but it isn’t everything. We can’t control other people’s perceptions. But what is God’s view of our reputation?
- Yes, our reputation can help us tell others about Jesus. It establishes a basis for others to pay attention to us.
- No, our reputation in a fallen world is bound to suffer. As we stand for what is right (led by the Spirit, not a set of rules), we are going to offend those who are on the side of what’s wrong.
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