For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

3:15   Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

Paul again refers to perfection when he speaks of mature, (for it contains the same root Greek word as “perfect” in verse 12). I stumbled over this concept a few verses ago, when my mind went to a “sinless perfection” idea, when really he was speaking of the completion of a goal or task. 

In those verses he claimed he was not perfect or mature, but in this verse he is grouping himself with those who are mature. What gives? 

As we age in this present life, we have stages of life that are obvious to all. A baby, a toddler, a little boy or girl, a tweenager, and then a teenager. A young adult, a middle aged person, an old man and finally a fully mature being. In each of these stages, a certain maturity is reached before passing onto the next stage. My grandson, as a baby, left that stage of life when he took his first steps, thereby becoming a toddler. 

I think Paul may be considering this idea as he speaks here. There is a certain maturity (an intermediate maturity) a believer should grow into within the Christin faith that becomes obvious for all to see. It was obvious in the Philippian church, for Paul was reaching out to those younger in this verse.

So much practical wisdom may be gleaned from the Word. Paul, in this verse recognizes that some within the church of Philippi may think different than Paul. Does Paul demand conformity to his thoughts? Does he rant and rave, assuming others have to think as he does in all things? Is that Paul’s concept of maturity, of a unity within the Body of Christ?

I think not. An example may suffice in describing my thought. Remember in 1 Corinthians, when Paul was requiring Apollos to perform what he wanted? 

1 Corinthians 16:12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

Paul strongly urged Apollos, yet Apollos would not bend his will to Paul’s. Can you imagine saying no to Paul? Where is the unity? There is no unity if we consider our leaders to be the one we are to circle about, for they are not the Lord.

Similarily here in Philippians, where Paul appeals to the Lord as the One who is the revealer, the One we are to be united under.

As I mentioned above, there is so much practical advise provided in the Word, and this is one place I woould do well to practice more. 

When in a discussion with a peer, does their opinion offend you, cause you to want to defend your position, upset you or irritate you. It didn’t seem to bother Paul in this instance, for he simply referred back to His (and our) Master. 

Of course this can’t be said about the preaching of the gospel to the lost, for as we share, we are obligated to state the truth and let the chips fall where they may. Pleading for their soul may be warranted, but sowing and reaping entails many different types of effort. But allowing them to wander off thinking they can safely have another opinion about God other than the truth of Jesus is not where Paul is coming from.

But we all know that, right?

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