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The prize of the high calling

By Steven Crook

June 24th, 2015

Often times when we see a prize or hear about a reward we naturally think about what it would be like to win said prize or reward.

How would it change our lives? What would we do with the reward?  Who would be our family and friends after obtaining a grand reward?

While these questions are applicable to earthy based prizes which can be used to better our lives now, how do these same questions apply to the prize of the HIGH CALLING found in Philippians?

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

In this study, we are going to examine just what this prize is and what the qualifications are to even start the race that has this prize given to the victors.

Enemies of the Cross

Before we can ever hope to obtain to the level of “pressing toward” the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, we must realize that we are all enemies of the cross. Yes, we are all enemies of the cross of Christ Jesus.

This may seem like a harsh reality and even untrue to those who believe they are “true Christians”, but we all inherently have flesh battling the Spirit of God each day.

The book of Philippians is a collection of scriptures given to us as a guidepost on how to mark our walk in Christ but to also remind us of who we are in Jesus.

Notice, the “high calling of God” is “in Jesus Christ”. If the “high calling” is in Jesus Christ, then what does it mean to be in Jesus Christ in this regard, so that you can press toward this mark?

We do not have to go very far outside of the book of Philippians to realize what Paul is telling us.

Php 3:1  Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Php 3:2  Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Indeed, writing and speaking the same things, speaking the same mind as what scriptures lay out to us, is SAFETY for those being spoken to.

What then is then does Paul choose to start off with as “things written for safety”?

Beware of dogs)

Thayer’s greek definitions defines this Greek word as:

G2965
kuōn

Thayer Definition:
1) a dog
2) metaphorically a man of impure mind, an impudent man
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: a root word
Citing in TDNT: 3:1101,

“Dogs” as spoken about in this context are those who have an impure mind i.e. anything not the mind of Christ, and speak offensively boldly about scripture and about the mind of God of which they have NO CLUE about.
Here are the other 4 times (5 in total) that these dogs are spoken about:

G2965
kuōn
Total KJV Occurrences: 5
dogs, 4
Mat_7:6, Luk_16:21, Phi_3:2, Rev_22:15
dog, 1
2Pe_2:22

Mat 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

A “dog” is NOT someone seeking to know Christ or His Christ and they certainly are not looking to find answers to their questions. In fact, their questions are asked in pretense.

Luk 16:20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luk 16:21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

It is “dogs” who lick the sores of flesh which Lazarus is full of. Lazarus is the one who is in the bosom of Abraham due to what he experienced in this “tabernacle of flesh”.

Have you ever asked yourself why it is the dogs tend to the flesh of Lazarus? They do so to EASE the pain that Lazarus is in. Since we are talking about a parable, we know we are talking about the kingdom of heaven.

What we are being told spiritually about the dogs who lick the sores of Lazarus is that Lazarus, though “in the bosom of the Father” still but contend with those who want to concentrate on the flesh. Dealing with physical flesh and its pains are NOT the focus of this parable.

2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

“The dog is turned again to his own vomit” spoken about here is not speaking about them that are out there in the world who do not know the holy commandments of God but rather are those who HAVE KNOWN them but rather choose to go BACK to the pollutions of the world.

So, it is clear that there are dogs WITHIN us and WITHOUT us. There are dogs who are “of the world” and simply seek to please the flesh and then there are “domesticated dogs” who have learned about and from their Master but have AGAIN become entangled with the “pollutions of the world”.

Beware of evil workers)

Being aware of “evil workers” may seem like an easy thing to discern, but it is in fact something that can be hard to detect at times.

The surface “evils” are easy to detect and judge but it is those evils which lurk “below the surface” that we are to beware of.

G2040
ergatēs
Total KJV Occurrences: 17
labourers, 8
Mat_9:37-38 (2), Mat_20:1-2 (2), Mat_20:8, Luk_10:2 (2), Jam_5:4
workers, 3
Luk_13:27, 2Co_11:13, Phi_3:2
labourer, 2
Luk_10:7, 1Ti_5:18
workman, 2
Mat_10:10, 2Ti_2:15
work, 1
Act_13:41
workmen, 1
Act_19:25

A worker, workman or laborers are all interchangeable in the context of who Paul is telling us to beware of. To understand what “type” of workman we are referring to, I will use a few verses to present it from scripture.

Mat 9:37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Mat 9:38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Jas 5:4  Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Luk 13:26  Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luk 13:27  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

2Co 11:12  But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

These are workers which appear to be angels of light but are themselves deceitful workers.

What do these deceitful workers do whether or not they are aware of it?

Beware of the concision)

G2699
katatomē
Total KJV Occurrences: 1
concision, 1
Phi_3:2

G2699
katatomē
kat-at-om-ay’
From a compound of G2596 and τέμνω temnō (to cut); a cutting down (off), that is, mutilation (ironically): – concision. Compare G609.

There aren’t many other verses which use this exact Greek word but we do not need to go any further than the next verses to know who those “of the concision” Paul is referring to.

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Paul is specifically telling us to beware of three specific groups. Gentiles (dogs), false apostles / workers of iniquity (Christians who say they are Jews but are not), and those who are “of the law” (concision).

The true focus of all these groups is COMMON. We worship in Spirit and Truth and they worship in the FLESH.

Here is what Paul has to say, as inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, to have written for our “safety”.

Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss FOR CHRIST.
Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Paul doesn’t mince words when he tells us that all things he was according to the flesh were counted as LOSS so that he could obtain the EXCELLENCY of the KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ our Lord.

What is the knowledge of Jesus Christ?

Tit 1:14  Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Tit 1:15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Tit 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Joh 17:2  As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Counting all things loss, according to Paul, means things which are LOSS cannot then be used as his own righteousness.

In other words, if I lose a $20 bill I cannot later then use a lost $20 bill to pay for goods. It simply isn’t there to be used. What Paul could and did use was the FAITH OF CHRIST which is RGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.

Want to be righteous with God? Keep the Faith. Need faith? Ask for it.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Mat 21:22  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Joh 16:24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Mar 9:24  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

The father of the child in Mark 9 had lived with a terrible spirit living within his child. Do any of you know of anyone around you, any family and friends or YOURSELF who may have an evil spirit causing them or you to do what that spirit commands?

Listen to Jesus’ advice to them and you.

Mar 9:21  And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
Mar 9:22  And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
Mar 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE to him that believeth.

Do you believe your Lord? Do you think He changes? Is His power still alive and well today within His people?

Ask Him for His compassion and help and await His answer, but BEWARE of those who are all around you who will not be able to resist standing in your way to DENY your FLESH its DESIRES.

I am confident everyone reading or listening to this study wants to know Jesus Christ. We all want eternal life. However, life comes through death!

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

In order to know him, the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings and to be made conformable to His death so that we can ATTAIN unto the resurrection of the DEAD is for us to DIE to the things that DRAW on us the MOST while in this tabernacle OF DEATH.

Last study I spoke about the pulls of the earth on the “cloud of great witnesses” and we are ALL the EARTH. We all contend with this flesh JUST LIKE Jesus did.

We cannot be perfect in this point in our walk just like Jesus had not yet gone one to perfection while in this flesh. First He has to die and be resurrected to go on to perfection (Luke 13:32/John 20:17).

We are to be as Paul an apprehend that which Jesus Christ apprehends in us. Here is what is apprehended.

Php 3:14  I press(G1377) toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

The Greek word G1377 translated as press here in the KJV is very concealing. Indeed, the Lord willed that this be the case. However, we are not left in the dark, so to speak, about the meaning of “pressing” toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

G1377
diōkō
dee-o’-ko
A prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb δίω diō (to flee; compare the base of G1169 and G1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication to persecute: – ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press toward.

G1377
diōkō
Thayer Definition:
1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away
2) to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after
2a) to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal
2b) to pursue (in a hostile manner)
3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one
3a) to persecute
3b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
4) without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone
5) metaphorically, to pursue
5a) to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; compare the base of G1169 and G1249)
Citing in TDNT: 2:229, 177

Here are the other times this Greek word “deoko” is used in scripture.

G1377
diōkō
Total KJV Occurrences: 48
persecuted, 13
Mat_5:10, Mat_5:12, Joh_15:20, Act_7:52, Act_22:4, Act_26:11, 1Co_4:12, 1Co_15:9, 2Co_4:9, Gal_1:13, Gal_1:23, Gal_4:29, Rev_12:13
follow, 8
Luk_17:23, Rom_14:19, 1Co_14:1, Phi_3:12, 1Th_5:15, 1Ti_6:11, 2Ti_2:22, Heb_12:14
persecute, 8
Mat_5:11, Mat_5:44, Mat_10:23, Mat_23:34, Luk_21:12, Joh_5:16, Joh_15:20, Rom_12:14
persecutest, 6
Act_9:4-5 (2), Act_22:7-8 (2), Act_26:14-15 (2)
persecution, 3
Gal_6:11-12 (2), 2Ti_3:12
suffer, 3
Gal_6:11-12 (2), 2Ti_3:12
followed, 2
Rom_9:30-31 (2)
after, 1
Rom_14:19
ensue, 1
1Pe_3:11
given, 1
Rom_12:13
persecuting, 1
Phi_3:6
press, 1
Phi_3:14

Here are a few of these verses conveying the idea of “pressing toward”:

Mat 5:12  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

1Co 4:12  And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

Mat 5:10  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Rom 14:19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

The word used as “press” in Philippians 3:14 is spiritually obvious to those with eyes to see and ears to ear to mean persecute or persecuted.

What does this mean then? What is being persecuted?

Php 3:14  I persecute toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What WE “persecute toward” in order to hit the mark, is instead of lackadaisically proceeding toward the mark, we PERSECUTE the flesh in us and all of those around us who would have us mind the things of the flesh and not the thing of the spirit.

Does anyone think that when Paul was Saul and he was persecuting the church, he was doing killing people without really caring about it that much?

Here are Paul’s own words found in the same chapter of Philippians and a confirmation of it found in Galatians.

Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Gal 1:23  But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Yes, we will be persecuted by others but before we can be persecuted by others we should be JUDGING ourselves and PERSECUTING those things that keep us from HAVING Faith in God.

Luk 21:12  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

We are to suffer persecution at our own hands as well as at the hands of others byt judging ourselves according to the Words which live in us.

To bring this point home and to make sure we understand this, Paul finishes Philippians 3 this way.

Php 3:16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Php 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Php 3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, WHO MIND EARTHLY THINGS.)
Php 3:20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

As we need help in our walk, we have witnessed that we can ask for Faith to endure in this process. The Lord tells us that He has overcome the world and we too will be given the strength to do so, but it will come with persecutions and sufferings. If we are not willing to suffer with Christ then we are enemies of the Cross in our walk. Lord, help our unbelief. Amen.