GOD’S WORD FOR YOU
PHILIPPIANS 3:16
16 Only let us walk in step with what we have attained.
Let’s understand what Paul is saying as well as we can. When he says “let us walk in step,” as I have translated, it is the verb stoichein (στοιχεῖν). It’s noun form is stoichos (στοῖχoς), which means a row or course of bricks or stones in masonry. When it is a verb, it means to walk in a way that resembles this, or walking in step, in lock step, together.
What is it Paul wants us to walk in step with? It is what we have attained, which is to say our salvation (perfection as a result of the preaching of Christ) on the one hand and our spiritual, sanctified growth on the other hand.
Having defined these things, how is it that we walk in step with these things, and what are some of the pitfalls? We keep in step with what we have attained by revisiting it again and again, studying and appreciating it, praying about it, and encouraging one another about it. Worship is the biggest component for most of our people.
In worship, what do we do? We are reminded of our baptism when the service begins, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This assures us of our forgiveness, but if we have been reading our catechism and remembering it, then it will also remind us of baptism’s many blessings: “Baptism works forgiveness of sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.” Following this, we sing God’s praises and listen to Scripture, sometimes two, three or even four lessons each week. Usually they are tied together under one theme. The minister then preaches his sermon, which explains the text, properly divides law and gospel in the text or in the doctrine that it illustrates, and then applies this to our Christian living. The sermon is by far the most efficient and effective way that the pastor connects his people to the Word of God each week. Worship continues with the vital prayers for one another, which we usually call “the Prayer of the Church.” Here we learn about those of us with the most serious health issues, or ministry changes, weddings, births, baptisms, and other important spiritual milestones, and to comfort those who have loved ones who have died. After more praises through singing, we also hear the benediction, the blessing of God through his minister upon God’s holy people. How can we stress more than this just how important regular worship is? For those who wonder, or whose faith might be weak, or who do not realize the comfort that they could have from Christ himself, the regular weekly service proclaims the forgiveness of sins and its blessing– even in weeks where the Lord’s Supper is not celebrated– no less than three times. Go to worship, and bring your family, and the people that you love.
As for the pitfalls of our Christian walk, which ought to be in lock step with our dear Jesus, there is the danger on the one side from too much security. And on the other side, there is the danger of despair. When Jesus was first talking with Nicodemus, he warned him that everyone in the human race who is born in the natural way is doomed and damned: “Flesh gives birth to flesh!” (John 3:6). Any hope that Nicodemus had for his salvation based on anything apart from Christ was crushed by those words. And any unreasoning pride any of us might have on account of our parentage, or church, or social status, should be equally crushed if they are being honest with themselves.
But Jesus didn’t leave poor Nicodemus in despair. Despair is a horrible trap laid by the devil. Professor Deutschlander wrote: “When the demons grab us by the throat and are ready to drag us into that ditch (of despair), we do well to answer with Paul: ‘I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold it, that is, perfection in my life of faith. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
God blesses again and again with the sweet words, “Your sins are forgiven, you are at peace with God.” He proclaims this in his holy word. He proclaims it through the words of his called ministers in worship every week. And he proclaims it in many of the hymns that we sing, and the liturgy that we take part in again and again. Come and hear the good news!
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Listen or watch Bible classes online. https://splnewulm.org/invisible-church/
Archives at St Paul’s Lutheran Church https://splnewulm.org/daily-devotions/ and Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel: www.wlchapel.org/connect-grow/ministries/adults/daily-devotions/gwfy-archive/2026
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minnesota
God’s Word for You – Philippians 3:16 Let us walk in step