God's Gracious Shepherding (Philippians 3:12-20; LD 22)
Introduction
The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that Christ's care for His people extends beyond this life. If God only shepherded us through our earthly journey, death would continue to threaten us. But Christ's resurrection changes everything. Because he lives, his people have the sure hope that he will lead them safely through death into everlasting life.
We are left with an important issue. You see, if Christ has already secured our future, what motivates us to keep pressing forward today? Philippians 3 answers that question. The answer is simple. It is because Christ has made us his own that we press on in confidence. We are not conforming to Christ to make ourselves worthy, but because we have been made worthy in Christ Jesus.
Christ Raises Us Body and Soul
If only our souls went to heaven, that is still more than we deserve. However, this would make redemption only half complete. Christ would not have redeemed us as whole humans. We were created body and soul. Christ cannot claim full redemption if he fails to redeem our bodies fully. We are assured that Christ redeems the whole person. Just as Christ rose bodily from the grave, so his people will one day be raised in glorified bodies fit for the new creation. We will be souls in Christ’s presence when we die, but when he comes again we will be clothed in our glorified bodies.
We can see this promise when Christ says to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Christ gives the assurance that the thief will dwell with him today in paradise. We think of the souls under the altar asking when Christ is going to bring this creation to glory (Revelation 6:9-11). We think of Paul’s promise that we will be raised in the flesh that is fit for heaven. (I Corinthians 15:35-49). Paul gives the rich assurance that we will be raised and even transformed (I Cor 15:51; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
Paul's imprisonment reminds us that this life is not guaranteed to be easy. However, as Paul waits for his verdict during his house arrest, he rests in the comfort that his citizenship was already secured in heaven. His identity is not defined by his past. He knows that his life is secured in Jesus Christ. It is in Christ Jesus that he presses forward. Ultimately, Paul is assured that our Shepherd will not abandon us in death but will safely bring us home.
Today I Taste the Beginning of Eternal Joy
The joy of eternal life is not something reserved only for heaven. Believers already begin to taste the life that is to come through the Spirit.
This does not mean the Christian life is free from hardship. David cried out under oppression. Paul wrote Philippians while chained to a Roman guard. Yet both rested in God's steadfast faithfulness. Joy is found, not in comfortable circumstances, but in belonging to Christ.
Paul urges believers to imitate him. We might think that Paul is some sort of elitist who has the secrets to the successful Christian life. However, Paul is not telling us to copy his accomplishments, but to follow in his mindset. He forgets what lies behind because his identity is no longer found in his failures or successes. Christ has made him his own. That same grace empowers us to keep pushing forward. It frees us to press forward in the Lord’s sanctifying mercy.
Christian maturity is not pretending we have arrived. How many times do Christians want people to think they are really dialed in? No, we recognize that we need Christ. We know that this journey is never completed in this life. It is growing in the humility to see that we need Christ all the time.
Tomorrow I Will Experience the Fullness of Joy
The joy we taste now is only the beginning. One day Christ will transform our lowly bodies into glorious bodies like his own. The work he has begun will be completed. He will bring us to glory.
This future hope impacts how we live today. We are not striving to earn God's acceptance, for Christ has already secured it. Instead, seek to conform to Christ because we belong to Him. Every setback, every struggle, every reminder of our weakness drives us back to our faithful Shepherd.
The Christian life is not "try harder." It is the continual refreshment. Christ has made me his own. I am in Christ. I am empowered in Christ. I move in Christ. Christ has taken hold of us, and he will never let us go. The One who began His work in us will finish it on the day of his appearing.
Conclusion
We have to see that the resurrection is more than a future doctrine. Christ’s resurrection is our present comfort. His resurrection guarantees our victory. It is in Christ’s resurrection that we are made his own. It is in his power that we continue to move forward.
Christ has redeemed us body and soul. Through His Spirit, we already taste the joy of the coming kingdom. And because He has made us His own, we can press forward with confidence, knowing that He will complete what He has begun.
So when you stumble, do not let your past define you. When suffering comes, do not lose heart. When you feel your weakness, remember where your strength is found. Christ has claimed you, Christ is transforming you, and Christ will bring you safely into glory.
Until that day, let us be a people who press forward in Christ’s strength. We will never win God's favor. However, we can be assured that God’s favor is won because Christ Jesus has made us His own. It is in his power that we press forward seeking to conform to our upward call in Christ. Let us be such a people who continue to find our contentment by being defined in Christ.
Additional Resources
Here is a link to Louis Berkhof’s “Intermediate State,” where he lays out the state between death and resurrection. He goes through Scripture and history.