Ultimate Model

Philippians 3 : 17 – 4: 1

1. Whoever believed in Jesus Christ had been in his authority and they knew the duty of the minister of the gospel. Not only said something about Jesus but did what Jesus had done. The word “minister” would be a word with strong meaning for them. Jesus as the “ultimate model” said: “even as The Sun of man came no to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life an ransom for many” (Matthew 20: 28,KJV).
2. Paul as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God revealed the meaning of the text. Paul wrote in an awesome word in his letter to Philippians 2: 5 – 11 which known as “Carmen Christi” (Latin) or “Hymne of Christ” (English). Hymne of Christ used by Christian, who lived in the Apostolic church in devotion and worship. Some scholars called the text ”supreme example” or ”ultimate model.” It was relevant with the context of the text. Paul sent a letter to the churches which were in many ways had the similar context. The churches, especially in Philippi were influenced by Roman culture. The main point in their lives was to get prestige and honor through the established ”good” position in colony.
3. Christian life is the opposite of the world (prestige and honor). The purpose of Christian life is to continue the mission of God (Missio Dei) and minister to others (”cursus pudorum”). When Paul called Philippians to imitate him, it was something to do with how the church refused prestige and honor from the world, but to seek prestige and honor from God which is to surrender life and mind fully occupied with the Lord Jesus. Paul made himself as role model when he said: “but whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as lost for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ”. Phil. 3:7-8
4. Paul found the main reason why God at the end highly exalted Jesus, and bestowed on Him the name which above every name. The reason was when Jesus “emptied Himself.” This point was relevant for the church (Philippians) that God would provide prestige and honor in the world and in heaven for whoever made Christ as a supreme example (imitation Christi). Michael Parson in his book “in Christ, in Paul” said, “Lives in the present are to evidence the believer’s characteristic union with Christ in godliness and in obedience to him within the context of his church and by the power of the Spirit.”
5. Ones again, to refuse prestige and honor from the world, but seek prestige and honor from God by surrendering life and mind fully occupied with the Lord Jesus is the main point for Christianity today. That is way Paul said: “stand firm in the Lord.” In our context (unpredictable era), stand firm in the Lord means to live with a mission. I see that the best way to conduct evangelism and mission today is “not only say something about Jesus, but do something like Jesus.” For those who have received the Good News, we must realize that we have a significant presence for others as God’s command to Abraham, which is to be a blessing for everyone. To demonstrate the love of Christ to all people, we would not force them (non-Christian) become Christians. It suffices and certainly is better if we live like Christ, and those who do not believe in Him will see His grace in us.