“That I might attain to the resurrection from the dead. ¹² Not that I have already obtained it or have already been perfected, but I am pursuing it  so that I may also possess that for which I was also possessed by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers, I do not regard myself as having achieved it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the highest calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well; ¹⁶ however, let’s keep living by that same standard to which we have already attained” (Phil3:11b-16)

As a former Calvinist, I’m not sure how I ever came to terms with the above passage, particularly as it was scribed by the Apostle Paul, who effectively became the prism by which I interpreted the rest of scripture. That is no longer the case, not just because I’m no longer an Evangelical, but because of the way I’ve come to interpret Paul results in him no longer being a doctrinal maverick; his teaching accords with every other New Testament writer, even with Jesus Himself (which is just as well when you think about it).

The First Resurrection

Starting with Paul’s reference to “attaining to the resurrection” – surely everyone is to be resurrected? That is biblically indisputable, but according to Revelation there are to be two resurrections. That is also indicated by Jesus when He said of those who eat His flesh and drink His blood that they would be resurrected on the last day (Jn6:54 cf. vv39,40,44). Again, that would be an empty promise if there were only one resurrection. Paul is clearer still, the resurrection to which he is referring (v11) is something he was seeking to attain.

What is more, at the point he was writing here to the Philippians he was by no means certain he would attain it (vv12-13). And as he wrote elsewhere: “I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself might not be disqualified” (1Cor9:27). Disqualified from what – going to heaven when he died? I think not – that is not what Paul or any other New Testament is usually referring to in the context of gospel salvation. It was however what Jesus was referring to in His Mt25 sheep and goat parable, where it is to be noted that neither religion nor religious faith is so much as mentioned or even implied. No, Paul’s goal was the “the prize of the highest calling of God in Christ Jesus”. 🤔 What? Didn’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win (1Cor9:24).

The Covenant of Promise

This is scarcely the language of “all of grace” or “once saved always saved”. What is all of grace, and indeed predetermined by God, is who shall enter that race by being elected and incorporated within the Covenant of Promise. Even then, God has been fair to all, for such who are so predestined are called to a life of holiness and self-discipline in order that they might attain an inheritance with the sanctified (Acts20:32). What is more, as with God’s chosen people of the Old Testament, those within the Covenant of promise who wilfully default shall be dealt with more sternly than those who had no opportunity to enter in the first place (cf. Amos3:2; Heb6:4-8).

Isaac – progenitor of the elect

Whilst Abraham may be regarded as the father of faith, Paul indicates it was Isaac who is progenitor to the children of promise, and such are the Church (Gal4:28). But by no means all  the Church, for as Jesus makes clear in Revelation, it is only those who overcome who shall attain to the promises of Christ (Rev3:21😲). That surely aligns with what Paul is affirming here, with his language of striving, races and prizes.

These assertions are bound to disturb many, especially those of my former ilk. But taken in the context of the broader benign providence that I have been outlining, it is truly good news. Why? Because it affirms what the Church broadly believed and taught pre-Augustine (earlier post refers), namely that God is good, even from a reasoned human perspective. He is loving, compassionate and fair to all.

But do not mistake me, He also has grace aplenty, ensuring that in the ages to come, not just those predestined to be “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” but all true humanity shall receive abundantly more than they deserve; made possible by our Lord’s hard-earned victory at Calvary over Satan, sin and death.

The LITTLE BOOK OF PROVIDENCE: a seven-part synopsis of the bible: – available as a paperback from Amazon or FREELY as a PDF file HERE.

Author’s Facebook page HERE