Making The Invisible Visible Section 4

Hermeneutics: Making The Invisible Visible — © 2004 Roderick Graciano
ers in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according
to the pattern we gave you.”
In keeping with Paul’s Hebraic background, this passage in Philippians oozes
with emphasis on character. Paul wants his own character to continue being transformed,
and he wants the Philippians to imitate him in his quest. The goal is not to
win participation in the coming resurrection; Christ has already purchased that for us.
Rather, the goal is to arrive at a level of character that is of resurrection quality, i.e., of
the same quality as that which will be appropriate to and enjoyed by the resurrected
righteous! To that end, Paul wanted to press into his relationship with Christ, and
experience Christ’s power, even if it meant experiencing the same kind of sufferings
that Christ endured, and even if it meant crucifying all temporal priorities. Paul was
willing to sacrifice the comforts of the body, and if necessary even physical life itself
for the goal of Christ-like, resurrection-quality character.
Let us then embrace not only the study of Hebraic thought patterns, but also the
priorities that emerge from the study. Let us renounce a preponderantly theoretical
Christianity and commit afresh to a relational pursuit of Christ, and that quality of
love for the lost that returns Christ-like character to a place of high esteem in our
culture. By their vibrant thought and language, the Hebrews made the invisible things
of heaven visible to us. By the grace of God, let us continue to make those invisible
things visible to our culture by our lives.
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