Verse 1
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a. Have joy in Christ always!
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You can always have joy because Christ is always the same. He is the one constant that can make your joy constant!
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b. It is for our safety that we hear the same truths continually.
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Always desire to be reminded of what Scripture says, and never think you've heard it enough (2 Peter 1:12-15).
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Verses 2-6
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Beware of people that will try to bring legalistic beliefs on you, and who place their confidence in themselves and their own works.
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Keep your confidence in Christ, not in yourself! Only Christ saves you!
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Paul, of all people, was the most devoted, religious man, but even he did not put any confidence in himself.
Verses 7-11
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All of Paul's works of self-righteousness, and our own, are worth nothing compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ. His righteousness saves us. Our own righteousness does not.
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For obtaining salvation, even the best of our own goodness is dung and filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)! The works we do to try to earn salvation only work against us (verse 7)! We needChrist!
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Paul lost all his fame as a Pharisee, now imprisoned for Christ, but he didn't miss his old life because he knew the worth of having Christ and salvation in Him.
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Focus on how precious Christ is, and desire to know Him above everything else, and then no loss will bother you.
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And by all means, do not hold on to any thought that your own righteousness saves you. Rely entirely on Jesus!
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Now that you are saved and have Christ, move forward striving to attain His way of life, to walk in His power, and to suffer with Him, because of your love for Him.
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Paul made it his goal to “attain to the resurrection of the dead”. This means that he was seeking to receive a new, glorified body in his earthly life. He did not want to wait until after death.
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For us today, strive to live how you would live if you were in heaven with a new body right now. Don't tolerate any level of sin. Discipline your flesh, and be obedient!
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Verses 12-14
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Jesus came, died, and rose again so that we could become like Him (Romans 8:29), so make it your goal to be like Him (1 John 3:2-3)! This is the main point.
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You haven't yet attained this life, but don't let this slow you down. Forget the past—past mistakes, yesterday's failings—and keep pressing on!
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By God's grace, and faith, all things are possible!
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Verses 15-16
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Everyone who is mature will have the above attitude. It is a truth God that will reveal to believers.
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So, don't try to force belief in the truth on someone. Be patient with those who disagree, and trust God to reveal truth to them, as all truth will be revealed (Mark 4:22).
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If you're not sure what exactly to believe, still live like Christ to the degree that you do understand how (verse 16).
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Verse 16. We all have attained Christ-likeness to a certain degree. No matter where you're at in your growth, have this attitude: “I am not perfected yet, but I'm striving for it!”
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So, don't see yourself as greater for being more mature, nor inferior for being less mature, as, we're all equal and striving for what we have not yet fully attained.
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Verses 17-19
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Follow the example of those who are living like Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) and focusing on the kingdom of heaven. Avoid those who serve only their appetites and focus on earthly things.
Verses 20-21
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Know that as believers, we are legal citizens of heaven. Jesus will return from heaven. When we are with Him, He will give us a new body that's like the one He has now.