explain Phil 3:11 ?
- Thread starter DAN P
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glorydaz
Well-known member
Seems to me like Paul was looking forward to death…ready to wait for the resurrection of the dead. Like here, I think, when he seemed quite willing to die.
1 Cor. 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Derf
Well-known member
Philippians 3:9-13 KJV — And be found (future tense) in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him (future tense), and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain (future tense) unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained (not past tense), either were already perfect (not already made perfect): but I follow after, if that I may apprehend (future tense) that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (not past tense): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind (I'm not saved by what I've done in the past), and reaching forth unto those things which are before (future tense).
Faith in Jesus Christ isn't a past action, but a present reality. If it ceases being a present reality, the future hope for us is suspect.
What I mean is that if we stop believing in His advent, death, burial, and resurrection, and it's applicability to us, we can no longer be sure of our salvation. Our salvation is not assured by an act of belief some years ago.
and I looked at Phil 3:11-13 and where do you see the future tense ?
and Paul is speaking of 2 resurrections is verse 11 that have not yet happened !!
dan p
Derf
Well-known member
"Not happened yet" = future tense.
glorydaz
Well-known member
The first one happened when we were saved, when we were raised unto eternal life.
Col. 2:12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
So Paul isn’t talking about salvation, or losing salvation, but sanctification which will be right up until death. Probably past that time, but it seems like Paul is ready to be done in this body of flesh….even though he makes it clear he isn’t giving up. He presses on to that high mark, which is being made holy - sanctification.
Phil. 3:13-14. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
glorydaz
Well-known member
We are found in him right now, so your tenses are off. But, you’re spot on with faith being a present reality.
Plus, Christ is faithful even when we are not.
He will never leave us or forsake us.
It’s best everyone make their calling an election sure, however.
Derf
Well-known member
I just don't think it makes sense to think that God is faithful to save us when we don't believe in Him anymore. That's not to say that we don't always act out our faith correctly, but if someone once believed, then no longer believes, what does that make him? Certainly not a "believer". Our salvation is not based on something we did in the past, but our belief in something He did in the past. So if our belief in that thing stops, He is still faithful to all believers...but not necessarily to unbelievers.
glorydaz
Well-known member
I think the difference would be if it’s something WE did in the past. If we walked down the aisle, or went under the water, or decided there must be a God, and maybe that is Jesus, then that isn’t true salvation. Which is why Paul warns to make our calling and election sure. People can also fall away for any period of time, so it’s not easy to tell, but one thing we can be sure of is His word. If He bought us, we are His, and He is able to keep us, even when we fall short or grief the Spirit.
2 Tim. 2:3
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Part of saving faith is knowing we are in His hands, and He will perform the work in us.
Phil. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
and if a Greek word is in the future tense the Greek will say so and that means you are wrong >
the reason is because the Israel resurrection nor the body of Christ has departed !!
dan p
glorydaz
Well-known member
Philippians 3:11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Ah yes. Expecting the rapture when the dead in Christ shall be raised first. And, of course, Israel will come after.
Derf
Well-known member
I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Can you reiterate?