When Attained Walk by the Same Philippians 3:16

Paul the apostle told the Philippians that in order to attain the resurrection of the dead and to apprehend that for which he was apprehended, it was important for him to forget the things which are behind, reach toward the things of the future, and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling which was in Christ Jesus. Paul desired that the church members be of the same mind as he, and in chapter three and verse sixteen, Paul encourages them to walk in that which they have already attained where we read:

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

The verse begins, “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule,...” Paul employs the word, “Nevertheless” which is understood easily when we divide it into three parts, “Never” “the” “less”. In other words what he is about to say has equal or more value than what he just said. He wrote, “whereto we have already attained” or whatever it is that we have already attained in our walk with Jesus Christ, “let us walk by the same rule” which means “to proceed in a row as the march of a soldier, go in order, to direct one's life to live” by what we have already reached. In other words, as we attain and learn Christian ideas and ways, we should manifest them within our lives accordingly.

The verse goes on to say, “...let us mind the same thing.” Once again Paul encourages the Philippians to “let” which means “allow” themselves to “mind the same thing” or “to have understanding, be wise, to feel, or to think” in the same manner as he does. Paul knows there is more growth that may occur within the church members of Philippi, however they were to be united in thought as they walked in that which they have already attained.

As we think about Paul's words to the Philippian church members, are we challenged with his idea of walking in that which we have already attained? Do we live in that we have already learned with the idea that there is more that we will know as we leave our past, look toward the future, and press toward the mark? Perhaps Paul's “Never-the-less” will challenge us to evaluate our current state that we may walk in what we know and continue toward the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ that is before us. May the Lord Jesus help us as we walk.

Next time Paul tells the Philippians to be followers of him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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