A Playoff Attitude

“Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you” (Philippians 3:15).

Did you ever wonder why teams want key veterans on the roster heading into the playoffs? Why in the wide world of sports do clubs make sure they include at least a couple of older players who may be past their prime for the postseason push? These guys may not be as fast as the young guys, but they’ve been there, done that. They know what it takes. They bring an attitude and a hunger that can light a championship fire. These mature players have a playoff attitude. Here in Philippians 3, Paul talks about the importance of seasoned veterans in the body of Christ. They model what commitment to Christ looks like to other believers. They bring a playoff attitude. Paul knows it’s ultimately up to God to show younger followers what it means to pursue more of Jesus.

The apostle looks back on his earlier career and realizes how he squandered his younger years chasing stuff that really doesn’t matter in the long run (Phil 3:4-6). He was like a top draft pick that was only concerned with piling up stats and signing big contracts. It wasn’t until Jesus knocked him off his high horse just outside of Damascus that the light bulb came on (Acts 9:1-9). Once the former Pharisee met the risen Christ, he wanted more of the risen Christ. That’s all that mattered. That’s all he needed. That’s all he wanted. Everything else was just a steaming pile (Phil 3:6-7). Not my words, but Paul’s! He began to devote his entire life to chasing the championship (Phil 3:8-11). But here’s the crazy thing. Jesus already won it for him (Phil 3:12-14). And He’s already won it for you and me. The real victory is a deepening relationship with Jesus.  

Even though he writes to the Philippian church from a prison cell in Rome, picture Paul talking to the team in the locker room before the first game of the playoffs. “Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will revel that also to you” (v15). He looks around at the faces of his teammates and knows he’s talking to two different kinds of players. There are seasoned veterans as well as talented but inexperienced players. What a great reminder that every group of believers has a wide range of maturity. We’re not a one-size-fits-all bunch. We need all fresh followers as well as silver haired saints. And it’s reassuring to know it’s okay to be immature. As Max Lucado likes to say, “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.” That goes for the Philippians. It goes for you and me.

Paul first talks to the vets. He includes himself as one of the older players on the team. “Let those of us who are mature think this way” (v15). In describing himself as “mature,” he uses the Greek word teleios, which means can mean perfect but in this context describes being complete, whole, or full-grown. The apostle certainly isn’t talking about perfection here. He just made it clear that he’s a long way from being “already perfect (Gr. teleios)” (Phil 3:12). Relative perfection. NOT absolute perfection. On this side of eternity, the only One who fits that description is our sinless Savior! But in terms of spiritual maturity, some of us are farther down the path than our teammates. We’ve played a few more seasons. 

The veteran players on Christ’s club should “think this way” (v15). The original language uses the verb phroneo, which could probably be better translated as to have a particular attitude. Check out the various ways other versions bring this idea into English:

“take such a view of things” (NIV)

“have this attitude” (NASB) 

“have this mind” (NKJV)

“be of the same mind” (NRS)

“agree on these things” (NLT)

“have this mind and hold these convictions” (AMP)

The emphasis is on your attitude. He focuses on our mindset. Flip back to chapter 2. Remember how we’re to “have this mind (Gr. phroneo) among yourselves, which is also yours in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). And just little later in this same letter, he talks about how the enemies of the cross have their “minds set (Gr. phroneo) on earthly things” (Phil 3:19). Paul says more spiritually mature believers should have an attitude that is “this way” (v15)? What way? Thanks for asking. They’re to continue to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14). Veteran followers of Jesus should model a playoff attitude when it comes to walking with the Lord. And there’s something interesting about the grammar here too. You can easily read this as “let us keep on thinking this way.” I need to remember that this playoff attitude isn’t just a one time thing. 

An interesting point about these seasoned saints is how their relationship with Jesus changes them. The result isn’t cockiness but humility. Don’t believe me? Just check out Paul’s growth through the years. At one point, he calls himself  “the least of the apostles” (1Cor 15:9). A few years later, he sees himself as “the least of the saints” (Eph 3:8). And later, he tells his boy Tim how “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am the foremost” (1Tim 1:15). Apparently the road to spiritual maturity isn’t the ability to do handle life more on your own but a deeper and greater dependence on Jesus. Veteran believers model a playoff attitude of humility and a daily desperation on Christ.

Paul realizes that while seasoned saints can influence their younger teammates, it’s ultimately up to God to disclose the importance of a relationship with Jesus. Now he talks to the young bucks in the locker room. “And if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you” (v15). For those who don’t have a playoff attitude of following Christ, he trusts God will make it obvious to them. You can’t make anybody a Christian by bringing them to church any more than you can make them a Buick by parking them in the garage. Changing hearts and minds is God’s job and His alone. God is the One who reveals. God is the One who changes attitudes. He certainly uses you and me to speak His truth into the lives of those around us. Are you firmly and gently sharing His Gospel with the folks He’s placed in your life? He’s certainly called each one of us to do that. But we need to remember He’s responsible for the results.

The paraphrase called The Message really pulls this entire idea together in a very cool way. “So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less that total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet!” (v15 The Message). Veteran believers continue to stay totally focused on the goal. The Lord has an overflowing and abundant life just waiting for us to explore (Jn 10:10). He gives us the perfect game plan for getting our hands on this victorious life if we do what He says. Stick with His game plan. Follow the assignments He’s given us. Seasoned followers lead by example. Meanwhile, we trust God to change the mindset of the younger teammates to see what’s really important. It’s all about having a playoff attitude.