1. The Joy of knowing Christ

Today we are reading from Philippians, Paul’s writings, of whom many researchers and commentators describe as the ‘Epistle of Joy.’ However circumstances under which Paul wrote this letter were extremely harsh and tense. He was imprisoned in Rome and destined for martyrdom. Normally, we mere humans, only feel joyful when we are in a favourable and comfortable situation. But in times of difficulties we can scarcely remain happy. So we could learn from this reading of Philippians chapter 3, how we could learn to know happiness in severe situations.

Paul uses the word “joy” many times in the letter, which was addressed to the church at Philippi from a Roman prison. He was arrested and sent to Rome to be judged by the Emperor. Meanwhile believers in the church at Philippi offered some gifts and trusted them to Epaphroditus to encourage and console Paul. Epaphroditus was originally meant to stay in Rome to serve Paul, but he needed to come back to Philippi because of serious illness. On that occasion Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians, revealing his prayers and gratitude for their considerations and gifts (Philippians 2:25).

Therefore, chapters 1 and 2 are filled with thankfulness and love to the Philippians: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you” (Philippians 3:1). Nevertheless, such a sweet and gentle tone is suddenly changes: “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh” (Phil. 3:2).

Perhaps, in writing the letter, Paul was reminded of the Jewish traveling legalists who were preaching around the church at Philippi. He was so upset by their activities that he referred to them with very strong languages, “dog,” “evil,” and, “mutilators of the flesh.”

In fact the church at Jerusalem taught Christians that receiving baptism is not enough for the salvation but observation of the law and the practice of circumcision were also essential. Thus those preachers sent from Jerusalem preached this way in Philippi, which destabilized the Philippian’s faith based on Paul’s teaching.

Paul considered circumcision, which was strictly observed by Judaism, to be a mutilation of the body. Furthermore he severely criticised those who tried to make circumcision obligatory for male Christians.

The word, “dog” was often used by Jewish people to describe gentiles, who did not practice circumcision. Nonetheless, Paul continued to argue and debate with the legalist preachers. He was so angry because such teachings of the legalists might destroy the faith of the early church. If circumcision was thought to be necessary for salvation, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus would become meaningless. Therefore, Paul says, that the legalist preachers are, “those who do evil.”

However Paul himself was once one of those zealous integralists of Judaism, as he admits: “though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless” ( Philippians 3:4-6)

He had sought salvation through observation of the law, more eagerly than others so far as to become a persecutor of Christians. But, Paul met Jesus one day on the road to Damascus and was dramatically converted to Christianity (Acts 9).

Due to his conversion Paul forfeited his high reputation and comfortable life as a law teacher. His life was threatened and menaced by other Jews who considered him to be a traitor. Despite all of this, he says: “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

He lost all, and he gained all, because he found Christ. All those who find Christ have no further value for earthly matters and things that once seemed precious. Those who know Christ become humble, because they have been saved, not by their own efforts or virtue, but though Christ’s death on the Cross.

Yet Paul still says: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11).

2. Life - After Encountering Christ

We have already met Christ. He found us. However, we continue to seek the ultimate goal, encouraged by Paul: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

He compels us to take his experience as our own: “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you” (Philippians 3:17).

Those who seek righteousness through human effort denies the meaning of the Cross. Paul goes so far as to say that they are enemies of Christians: “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:18-19).

Paul might be referring to those who pay homage to nutritive prohibitions as a way to find salvation. Then comes Paul’s famous saying: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).

I recently read a book entitled: “Ten new Japanese religions,” written by: *Shimada Hiromi, a Japanese scholar of religious studies. The author presents and analyses three of the most popular newly founded Japanese religions. According to the contents, Souka-gakkai, the biggest one, has about 10 millions believers, and the second largest, Tisshoukousei-kai and Reiyu–kai, have 3 millions followers each. All three were founded in 1920~30s.

Preaching activities of Christianity commenced in Japan about 150 years ago, a much longer history than those of the new religions mentioned above. But, the number of Japanese Christians is still only about 1 million.

Almost all successive new religions are derived from the function of Nichiren, based on “Saddharma Pundarika Sutra,” a code which is said to be compiled from Gautama Buddha’s disciples between B.C 150-50.** Comparable with the more traditional Japanese Buddhism, Nichiren’s teachings were revolutionary in that period. Because, whereas the former seeks the salvation in Gokuraku jo-do, Buddhistic Paradise, the latter looks for mental consolation and material privileges in this real world. Nichiren taught that humans could be saved simply by repeating aloud “Saddharma Pundarika Sutra,” not the contents but only the title.*

Though it might sound rather primitive minded, I find in this theory a certain resemblance to the attitude of those who seek salvation through earthly efforts, like observing nutritive interdicts, offering contributions, or good works. Paul strictly denies such thinking through living the Christian life.

3. Faith through trials

Today’s invocation verses are Philippians 4:4-6, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Sometimes it is difficult to feel happy because, throughout life, we experience failures, deception, or disappointment in relationships. Nevertheless, Paul remained joyful, even though he was in prison. How was this possible? He explains in his letter, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly"(Philippians 1:12-14).

Thanks to the hope in Christ, he could remain fearless and his attitude encouraged many more people around him. Furthermore, some of those led by his words, converted to Christianity. Paul was joyful because he recognized God was still with him, even in prison.

If we suffer we should share our pain with God. When we are sad, we should explain our sadness to God. Then God will show us the significance of our pain. By understanding the meaning of our pain and suffering, we learn to recognize God’s mercy.

Many of us here might often have those experiences. In the beginning of our sufferings we prayed and received God’s blessing, which changed our way of living. After the difficult time passed, we find such an experience provided the opportunity to listen to God in prayer. Suffering and pain tends to draw us close to God.

The attitude of seeking earthly compensation or rewards will fail. Even though we pray for healing or answers, incurable illness and insoluble problems might remain the same. Even if an illness was cured we humans must die some day in the future. Physical healing and material satisfaction are transitory, it is not salvation. And salvation is achieved only by accepting Jesus Christ as our own personal saviour. That is exactly the point we should keep in our mind.

Paul says: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). Philippi was a Roman colonial city.* Though it was located far from Rome and almost all of its free-inhabitants had Roman citizenship, they were all considered to be Romans.

Just ss the Philippians were Romans, we are citizens of Heaven though we live now on the planet earth. In consequence, God, the King of His Kingdom, always protects us like the power of Roman Emperor protected the rights of a Roman citizen. We might lose much in the earthly world. Many of us might be thrown off and discarded by secular societies. But God takes care of us because, He loves us. So much so, He sent forth His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live and die for our own sake. Christ is always with us. He lives in our hearts. Thus, we must be joyful under all circumstances and conditions. May God help us.

* Shimada Hiromi http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ÅçÅÄ͵̦ Ten Japanese new religions, edt. Togensha, 2007 Nov. [ ISBN-10: 4344980603 / ISBN-13: 978-4344980600]

** Nichiren http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitiren Saddharma-pundarika-sutra
http://www.orientalia.org/dictionary-Buddhist_Dictionary-
definition 21400-SADDHARMA- PUNDARIKA-SUTRA.html
Gautama Buddha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha

*** Philippi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippi