Christians do not belong to this world

We must remember where we really belong.

Bible reference

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Introduction

Paul says that he has only one wish in his life. He really wants to please Christ Nothing can take Christ’s place. In this study he uses the example of a person who runs a race. This person wants to win. He wants what is best. There is a gift for people who win a race. And he wants that gift.

Paul asks the Christians in Philippi not to believe several wrong ideas. Some people want only to please their bodies. Other people think that their bodies do not matter. And some people try to keep many rules. (We read about this in the last study.)

In this world people have weak, human bodies that will die. But Christians do not belong in this world. In future there will be something better for us. We will have new, better bodies. And we will be with Christ.

Questions to ask

3:12 ~ What does Paul want more than anything?

3:12-13 ~ Paul describes what he wants in his life. He uses an action that some people do. What is this? What might this example suggest?

3:14 ~ ‘That is his gift to me.’ What does Paul write about here?

3:15 ~ What does Paul hope for any believers who do not agree with him?

3:16 ~ What must the believers continue to do? How do we know Paul really wants this?

3:17 ~ What will help the believers to live as God wants?

3:18 ~ Why does Paul describe some people as ‘enemies’?

3:19 ~ What do these people do? How do they feel about what they do? What will happen to them?

3:20 ~ Where do Christians really belong? What do we hope for?

3:21 ~ The believers will get to where they really belong. Then what will happen to them?

4:1 ~ Why is Paul really happy about the Christians in Philippi?

Something to do

What do I want in my life? Look again at Paul's ideas to describe what he wants at the end of 2:12. What does this suggest to you?

We want to live as God wants. But sometimes it is hard to live as Christians. Why is this?

What things can help us to live as God wants?