From Philippians: Our Heavenly Conversation
Orientation
The Bible can become stale and feel like a duty when we read it disconnected from the ongoing revelation of Christ in the gospel.
- Loss of appetite and joy in the Word is a sign of being robbed of your inheritance.
- The remedy is not more self-effort, but to behold Christ as your righteousness and portion.
- The gospel is not just an entry point, but the living food for the entire Christian life.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
— 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Clarification
Enemies of the cross are not just the openly immoral, but the religious who cling to fleshly righteousness and set their minds on earthly things.
- They boast in religious credentials, attainments, or self-effort, glorying in what is actually shame.
- They misunderstand sanctification, rejecting the call to be crucified with Christ and to reckon oneself dead to the flesh.
- Their end is destruction because they oppose the cross's transformative power.
(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: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:18-19)
— Philippians 3:18-19
Structure
Our heavenly conversation and identity are shaped by the gospel language of God's household, which describes our inheritance in Christ.
- Gospel language—speaking of the unsearchable riches of Christ and our sonship—uplifts and stirs appetite for Him.
- Baptism identifies us with Christ's death, marking our death to flesh and true belief in the gospel.
- We await the transformation of our vile bodies by resurrection power at Christ's return, revealing the sons of God.
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 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. (Philippians 3:20-21)
— Philippians 3:20-21
Weight-Bearing Prose
The core issue is a disconnect between Scripture reading and the gospel of Christ. When the Word is reduced to duty or a checklist for fleshly attainment, it becomes a dead letter, and Christ ceases to shine from its pages. This legalistic, self-effort approach is what Paul identifies as walking as an enemy of the cross. Their god is their appetite (for fleshly righteousness), their glory is in their shame (boasting in credentials), and their mind is on earthly things (a righteousness of their own). This stands in direct opposition to the cross, which declares an end to the flesh.
Authentic, Pauline ministry speaks the language of grace, sonship, and inheritance. It counts all fleshly gains as loss and dung, seeking only to be found in Christ, having the righteousness which is of God by faith. This is the ‘rule’ by which we are to walk and mark others who do likewise. The gospel is the ongoing unveiling of Christ—it is how God makes Christ shine on us so He becomes everything. Our identification with Christ in His death (signified in baptism) is the foundation of true gospel belief, creating a stark contrast with those who boast in the flesh. The expectation is not self-improvement, but the certain transformation of our vile bodies by the same power that subdues all things, at His coming.
Integration
Your appetite for the Word is renewed not by striving, but by beholding. Spend time simply thanking the Lord for what is already yours in Christ—your righteousness, your life, your portion. This is the feast prepared for you. Your conversation is already in heaven. Your citizenship is secure. The pressure is off. The transformation of your body is His work, according to His power, at His return. Your calling now is to enjoy the language of the household, to partake of the menu of Christ’s riches. This is your heavenly conversation. Rest here. Christ is your sustenance, your inheritance, and your certain hope. There is no hierarchy here, only the shared feast of His unsearchable riches.