Philippians 3: Natural in friendship

Friendships and relationships generally begin with a merit-like approach. ‘I like this person because I think we can relate. They are impressive in such and such ways… I would generally benefit from being around that person.’ And so, early on in a friendship we tend to want to make sure we are presenting ourselves as reasonable candidates for friendship. That doesn’t mean that honesty isn’t a part of that process, in fact, it is essential for the growth of the friendship. Yet, it is difficult to not consider the merits that you bring to a relationship as it progresses through its early stages. This really is inevitable in day to day friendships where self-revelation is a process. This is where relationship with God is different—revealing ourselves to God isn’t necessary.

Paul had every reason to think that he had merits that made him a worthy friend of God. His Jewish resume as described in vv 4-6 would be difficult to compete with. We too may have merits that might make us think that we are worthy of a relationship with God—volunteer at church, generous giver, extra-ordinary suffering in life, we read the Bible for Everyday faithfully (editor’s note: that makes you worthy of my friendship at least J). Paul looks at these merits and recognizes that to hold these things up to God is insulting. Our achievements are laughable compared to his standards and to cling to them is a mockery of his grace. Friendship that is driven by this kind of merit is more entourage than it is relationship.

When Paul is able to release the clutch he has on proving himself in the relationship (a righteousness of his own v. 9), he is able to appreciate the genuine affection and approval that Christ offers Him. And, Paul is able to stop his need to posture before God and can genuinely take interests in the interests of Christ. Now his concern is to know Christ, experience his power and share in his sufferings. This is the natural course of a friendship.

Friendship however is a limiting motif to understand a relationship with Christ. Jesus is also a Captain that goes ahead of us and models a life for us to follow. So Paul describes to us that this life of honest friendship, and sold out posture-less commitment requires training and straining into a new pattern of life (13-14, 17). Yet, even as we seek to attain that new pattern of life, the power and credit still come from the one who will transform our lowly bodies into his new glorious body(21).

Posted by Marc