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All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. \xa0Only let us live up to what we have already attained. \xa0Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. (Philippians 3:15-17)

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Do these verses sound a bit arrogant to you?\xa0 It\u2019s almost as if Paul is saying some more Christian-y version of: \u201cmy way or the highway,\u201d or maybe \u201cgrow up or get out.\u201d

It might sound that way: but there\u2019s more going on here than meets the eye.\xa0 In the original language behind these verses, it\u2019s clear that Paul is making a reference back the beginning of chapter 2 where he says: \u201cIn your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.\u201d\xa0 The same Greek word behind \u201cmindset\u201d is behind the phrase \u201csuch a view of things\u201d and the word \u201cthink.\u201d\xa0

In other words, Paul is saying: \u201cAll of us who are mature should take on the same mindset as that of Christ Jesus, even as you have witnessed me doing while I was with you and in the story I just told about how I consider everything a loss for the gain of knowing Christ and living out his mindset.\u201d\xa0 In other words: the mindset of Christ IS what it means to be mature in Christ.\xa0

To that end, Paul has attempted to give his own life and experience as a visible witness and pattern of this mindset of Christ that humbly submits to God and gives up everything as loss.\xa0 As Christ does so for the sake of the Father, so Paul does it for the sake of Christ.\xa0 And now he tells the Philippians: imitate me as I imitate Christ.\xa0 Or, imitate someone else whose life imitates mine or that of Christ.\xa0

The point in any case is that knowing the truth of Christ must necessarily mature into living the life of Christ\u2014that life of humble submission.\xa0 If believing the right truths about Christ is as far as you ever get, then you have not yet grown up.\xa0 This is an immature Christian life.\xa0 Regardless, Paul does remain \u201cconfident\u2026 that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus\u201d (Phil. 1:6).\xa0 Indeed, as he says: wherever your mindset differs from that of Christ Jesus, Paul trusts that God will make it clear to you.\xa0

Paul also encourages the church not to go backwards.\xa0 \u201cLet us live up to what we have already attained,\u201d he says.\xa0 The goal is always to be straining forwards, looking ahead, keeping one\u2019s eyes fixed on Christ\u2014or at least on those ahead of you who are following Christ\u2014so that all of us might more and more run the race of growing up into Christ until we become mature.\xa0

So, a question that came up before comes up again here: who are you following into this mindset and way of Christ\u2014this way of the cross: of humility, submission, and loss?\xa0 Who is following you?\xa0 And, what is God clarifying to you in terms of the way you walk in light of these words of Philippians about the mindset of Christ?\xa0 May these questions help you attend to the ways you are running the race of growing up to maturity in Christ.