A pocket knife is a very handy tool to have access to. A pocket knife does not carry every tool ever made, just the essentials. A lot can be accomplished with just a basic pocket knife. If everything in the Christian life could be assembled into a pocket knife with just the essentials, what would those be?
Turn to and read Philippians 3:1-3. In this passage you are supplied with three essentials to stable Christian living.
Essential #1: You must rejoice in the Lord (v.1) – Unbelievers and sadly many Christians today are looking and longing for lasting joy in their careers, dreams, future plans, children, sports, academics, interpersonal relationships (i.e. dating, friendships, marriage), financial security, vacations, and the list goes on. These earthly things cannot deliver lasting joy…only temporal happiness.
Therefore, if you are a born-again Christian you should know that earthly things only deliver temporal happiness but a personal and active relationship with Christ distributes lasting joy and your Christian life must be characterized with this biblical joy! Joy is a supernatural, spirit produced emotion (Gal. 5:22). To deny joy is to deny the foundation of what the Christian life is suppose to be. You must rejoice in what the Lord has done and will do by focusing on Christ first and others second (Phil. 1:1-26).
Essential #2: You must be cautious of false teachers (v.2) – Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, sends out a clear cut warning about a dangerous group known as “Judaizers” who were falsely teaching salvation by works (mixing law and grace). Here is how Paul describes them:
- “Beware of dogs” – In the Bible times, the dog always stands for the lowest of lows. Paul compares false teachers to an unclean dog that spreads disease, aggressively attacks, and is very dangerous!
- “Beware of evil workers” – Anyone who preaches a false gospel is a worker of evil things. The outcome of their teaching leads others further away from God, whether they realize it or not!
- “Beware of the concision” – Also translated, “Beware of the false circumcision.” Paul loudly warns that false teachers pride themselves as the “true” religion. Sadly, people today still believe works will gain God’s favor.
Every religion (Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholics, etc.) that exists today, except for Bible Christianity, teaches that salvation or eternal life is earned based on your works. In other words, you must DO, DO, and DO in order to earn favor with God. On the other hand, Christianity is faithful to the teachings of the Bible and instructs that the work is already DONE, DONE, DONE by Jesus Christ and that there is nothing man can do to earn eternal life (Isa. 64:6; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). It is a gift (John 3:16)! Therefore, as a Christian you must be on the watch for false teachers who are seeking to lead you astray (weather they know it or not) and must expose their erroneous teachings. This is essential to Christian living that honors God.
Essential #3: You must magnify the Gospel (v.3) - Paul states that if you are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone these three signs must be evident:
1. True Christians “worship God in the spirit,” – True Christian worship is not about observing a “list of do’s and don’ts.” It is possible for you to meet all the outward traditions and still have a heart far from God! All standards that do not reflect a transformed heart and a biblical command are meaningless. True worship is about living a life of obedient service to God. (Matt. 22:37; Jh. 4:24).
2. True Christians “rejoice [glory] in Christ Jesus,” – You must boast in what Christ has done for you, not what you have done for yourself. True Christians give credit for all that they are and have to Christ.
3. True Christians “have no confidence in the flesh.” – You must never trust or place dependence in self because your sinful flesh can do nothing to please or earn favor with God. To illustrate how foolish “works salvation” is Paul outlines his heritage and accomplishments in verses 4-6. This proves that true salvation is not by ritual, race, rank, tradition, religion, sincerity, or legalistic righteousness, but by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Isa. 64:6; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5).
These top 3 essentials of living the joyful Christian life, watching out for false teachers, and magnifying the gospel of Jesus Christ must be evident in your life in order to honor and glorify God.
