Philippians: Paul's "Stairway to Heaven"?

SilverFox7 · Sunday at 11:44 AM

Thank you homwardbound for inspiring me to look into the lyrics of "Spirit in the Sky" and see if I can make any connections between that song and Philippians. I'll start with the opening chorus:

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky

When we as Christians die, we are going to the place that's the best - heaven:

Philippians 3:20-21

New King James Version

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

We are citizens of heaven right now thanks to Christ Jesus, and we are ambassadors of heaven spreading Jesus' gospel in these "lowly" mortal bodies today. However, after death, we will be transformed from these lowly bodies to "...be conformed to His glorious body."

As Paul so beautifully described to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:53-54

New King James Version

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

That which claims our frail, short mortal lives - death - will be "swallowed up in victory!" Death is the one who will ultimately die forever, and Death will no longer hold claim to us in heaven.

Here are the full lyrics to "Spirit in the Sky", and I'll see if I can continue to make connections between every stanza and some verses from Philippians. The theology of the song is shaky in areas, but I'll avoid the weeds and keep the focus on this stunning testament to Jesus and the gospel.

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky

Goin' up to the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Prepare yourself you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)

Oh he'll recommend you to the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die (when you die)
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best

Never been a sinner, I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up
with the spirit in the sky

Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best

Source: LyricFind

homwardbound · Monday at 9:27 AM

SilverFox7 said:

Touchy, these lyrics above, yet I know I have sinned over and over again not wanting to sin, have left many behind me as God reveals to me, it is not good for me to continue in. Over me saying Forgive me over and over again. Repent, repent repent or you are not in, human understanding, that traps people in sin. (Romans 7)
What??????????????, but I just!
I got to ask for more? I got to quit!

I agree, we all got to quit, yet none of us can, by not letting go ( not willing to be dead to the flesh nature daily (Romans 6), that God took care of on that cross over 2,000 years ago now all the nasty nines and dirty dozen for you gone from God's sight, not the flesh sight. Done once for us all on the cross in his one time willing death. (Hebrews 10:10) Otherwise, one stays stuck in sin over and over again, by trying, (Being aware) to not sin, causes sin. That focus to not sin is good to the first born flesh, not to God, as the flesh looks upon flesh and sees other's as better than you are, and you know it, by the sin you do behind closed doors. Guilty and hiding. Trying to be better (Luke 18:9-14) Or you do not believe God and are only playing Church. Gettin g rewards from people, not from God, each person knows in themselves, I have no reason to accuse or excuse anyone

Anyone's obedience perfect? None! Then how is anyone having any right to berate anyone else over the others sin (Luke 18:9-14) (Rom 2:1-4) Did God take all sin away on that cross in Son or not? All but "Unbelief" to he is now and forever risen to never die again (John 1:29)
(John 19:30) is the fulfillment of the Law and Propgets. It is not taking the Law and Prophets away, it is the fulfillment. (Matthew 5:17-18) to be fulfilled in you, you, me and all others in belief too, to the entire Cross of Son for you. It has not a thing to do with trying to do what is now done for us by Son for us. Be risen by God for you to rest in this amazing grace and sin will fall away over time in not quitting trusting God it is done for you too.
Time to believe in thanksgiving and praise, as the Song states, that no flesh nature can fathom. Only, In God's Spirit and truth it is done, (John 4:23-24) As Father waits for the next believer to enter in with God and Son for them to be new, getting, too busy doing what is right over all the troubles out in this world of people seeing it this or that way, or the highway, people say to one another, That is not the truth of God, I got to do right, try, try, try, try! How well are you going inn that method? I have been there only to see No flesh can please God but Son's that fit it all in on that cross once for us all. For us to be given new life in
Son's risen Life from God Father of Jesus
Those verses are true of Norman Greenbaum, that God revealed to him, has revealed now to me and am thankful, not proud, just thankful. Trusting fro all sin to leave as God reveals how to me. ?will y'all too, If one is sincere in belief too

SilverFox7 · Monday at 10:35 AM

homwardbound said:

Amen. The line, "Never been a sinner, I never sinned" does not align with Christian doctrine. I suppose the closest I can come to explaining this to support the poetry from the song is how Christ takes all of our sins upon Him and through His sacrificial death, forgives them and provides grace and reconciliation:

2 Corinthians 5:21

New King James Version

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

We are "righteous" in God's eyes through Jesus who washes away all of our sins as our Savior. But, "never been a sinner, I never sinned" certainly doesn't apply to me in the past, present, or future of this life. Wrestling with sin and giving into weakness and failing is part of being human, and repentance and asking for forgiveness is an ongoing state in my relationship with God.

1 John 1:8-10

New King James Version

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Purging sin out of our lives is a continual process that doesn't end until we die and receive that new, eternal life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit is hard at work in the innermost parts of our being, and we need to let Him do His work. As sin is identified, we need to "confess our sins" before the Mercy Seat to receive forgiveness and cleansing.

So, yes, "never been a sinner, I never sinned" is the most glaring error in the song as it relates to our Christian lives. I always have been a sinner, still am, will continue to sin as long as I'm in the flesh, but I will still keep up the fight against sin by the power of the Holy Spirit and ask my Father for forgiveness through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.

SilverFox7 · Monday at 2:09 PM

Pilgrimshope said:

I like the way you expressed this, brother. Since God's love looks outward, we do not want our actions to disrespect Him or harm others. Love and repentance go hand-in-hand. We need God to change our hearts to be filled with more of His love.

homwardbound · 2024-07-02T12:00:42-0400

SilverFox7 said:

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you won't quit, Amen. So Don't
Here it goes, I do not want to sin and yet I sin and still do not want to sin!
Yet God from God's view sees it differently that humans do what they do and cannot be. perfect ever, of thier first born flesh ever Rom 8:3. Only God sees the inside, our belief as real and knows we are not perfect. Therefore now be revealed, why Son Jesus came here to earth to die, before new life could ever get given anyone, in his being risen. Man only sees from the outside view of actions and reactions of people, excusing themselves, making judgements accordingly. Is corrupted, and man has put man in charge as if are of God. And these do act as if are from God very well
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Do you, we, the people honestly think God is at our world Churches, really?

Hebrews 8:1-4

King James Version

8 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

Man creates his own law(s) and is in control of others, when we are called to freedom, the The tabernacle was destroyed in AD 70, first Harbinger, man rebuilds and makes his own Doctrine out of the true Doctrine

Galatians 5

King James Version

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing
The above is so much deeper that just about circumcision
Read Romans 14 is so much deeper that just about food

SilverFox7 · 2024-07-03T11:51:29-0400

Pilgrimshope said:

Amen brother, and we certainly don't want to turn grace into an excuse to live however we want and engage in sinful activities as Jude warned of in his epistle (v. 4). I like the verse you quoted above from Titus that describes grace as bringing salvation and teaches us to deny sin and "worldly lusts" to live sober, righteous, and godly lives in Christ Jesus.

Grace doesn't give us permission to sin at will, knowing God will forgive us. We will always be forgiven for confession and repentance of our lawbreaking, but why would we flirt with sin deliberately, which only brings sorrow, pain, and death to us and those around us.

I didn't realize how strong Paul's focus is on obedience in Philippians until we started talking about it in this forum. And, Paul doesn't pull any punches - the knockout blow comes right here on the life we are called to live:

Philippians 2:12-13

New King James Version

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

The gift of salvation God has blessed us with is serious business that requires work, not by our strength but by God who works in us to fulfill His will and gives us the strength to obey Christ. We have a part to play in this, and God wants us to work with Him to change who we are and be his willing partner and child.

SilverFox7 · 2024-07-03T12:18:02-0400

homwardbound said:

Well said. It's hard to comprehend how much Jesus loves us and although we are His servants, He calls us friends (John 15:15) as the song expresses:

Prepare yourself you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)

How far does that friendship extend?

John 15:13

New King James Version

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

That's exactly what Jesus did for us - lay down His life for us because we are His friends. Through humility and obedience, Jesus suffered and died an agonizing death on the cross because He loves us:

Philippians 2:8

New King James Version

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus laid down His life for us, and we should be willing to do the same for Him, our friends, and all humanity if it's God's will for our lives.

So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)

Well, not exactly. No recommendation is necessary because heaven has been made available to us through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ to the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us as our current High Priest!

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Philippians: Paul's "Stairway to Heaven"?

SilverFox7

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homwardbound

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SilverFox7

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homwardbound

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