In 1973, shortly after I discovered that Jesus was actually alive and that my sins were forgiven, I shared my joy and my elation with my immediate family and as many of my relations as I could find. The reaction was mixed – everything from, “Oh, that's nice for you,” to, “Be careful. One should never take these things too far. You don't want to become too religious, too fanatical!”
That raises a question or two. Just how far is too far? And just how far is far enough?
In Philippians 3:8-11, The Apostle Paul asserts that if we are to gain Christ and obtain the righteousness that is from God, we should follow his example and accept the death of our personal dreams and ambitions, the death of everything in our lives that puts us first and God last.
In verse 10, he seeks to impress upon his readers his earnest desire to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. At the time Paul penned this letter, he had been following Jesus for more than two decades, yet he speaks of his yearning to know Christ. After so many years of fruitful ministry, what more did he need to know? What gaps could there possibly be in his knowledge of the Saviour? According to his own testimony, he still had much to learn. And so, dare I say, do we.
He wants to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, suggesting that we should want these same things for ourselves – and why not? Surely, we could all do with more spiritual power in our lives. Then he adds, “and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” To which the faint-hearted believer might respond, “Aah, no thanks.”
After all, who, in their right mind, would want to suffer like Jesus? But Paul goes on to say that without such conformity, our own resurrection is much less certain “if I may attain...” (v. 11).
Some believers, reading this passage for the first time, might suddenly find that the Christian life, with its promises of love, joy, and peace, is now somewhat less attractive.
“But,” they may say, “Isn't my salvation based on what Christ has done, and not anything I have done?”
Yes, of course. But once we have entered “through the narrow gate” we cannot stay there, waiting for the Second Coming. Paul sets an example that he wants every believer to emulate. He does not rest on his laurels and expect that "whatever will be will be." He does not dig a moat and raise the drawbridge around the castle of his Christian life, satisfied that he has done enough. Rather, he says, “I press on.” The AV and many earlier translations rendered the Greek word dioko as "follow" or "follow after." This does not convey the richness of meaning that Paul has in mind. He is not like the armchair sports-lover who "follows" his favourite team on TV.
We, like Paul must press on, we must strain forward, we must walk the narrow path, we must lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of us. We should “press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (v 14 ).
At this point, we have a choice. We can either follow Paul's example or rate him as a fanatic or borderline lunatic and decide for ourselves how much of ourselves we are willing to submit to Christ and His cause.
If we do not take the teaching of Paul seriously, how about the words of Jesus himself?
“He who is not with me is against me and he who does not gather with me scatters abroad.” (Matt 12:30).
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily.” (Lk 9:23).
Self-denial; daily sacrifice. These are not the actions of someone taking a mild interest in Christianity. Rather, they show a willingness to strain to obtain the prize. They demonstrate a passion, a persistence and a determination to forsake the world and its vanity, to gain that which is eternal and can never be taken away.
