Philippians 2: 14-18
(14) Do all things without grumbling or disputing;
Because God is working in us to want and to do His will, as we saw yesterday, we are to cooperate with Him willingly, without complaining or having a bad attitude.
(15) so that you will prove yourselves to be be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach
We are responsible to display God's family traits in our own attitudes, showing that He has cleansed us thoroughly and completely, restoring innocence and blamelessness.
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
We're still in the middle of the mess here, but we're not part of it any more.
among whom you appear as lights in the world,
Twisted and perverted people live in the darkness of this World, where God's light needs to shine. We are the bright lights He wants to use to expose all the wickedness in our midst, showing those who are caught up in this bondage the much better way of living, the way God has outlined for us in His Word. Only His ways will bring to us the freedom, peace and joy of the Lord He wants for all of us.
(16) holding fast the word of life,
We need to keep on keeping on thinking and acting as God's family members. It is up to us to show those in the world God's way of living, to draw them and lead them to God. The more winsome we can be in our right living, the more attractive we show our Lord to be, in His great love for all of us.
so that in the Day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Just as Paul wanted to glory in the Philippians, I anticipate being able to glory in you, my readers, as you apply God's word to your own lives, so that I will not be sharing this blog every day in vain, to no purpose.
I want you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through this technology, so the Kingdom will grow in both maturity and numbers.
(17) But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
Paul thought he might be convicted and put to death for his witness and testimony, considering it to be his part of their sacrifice of faith, and was rejoicing in the prospect. And he wanted them to rejoice with him.
(18) You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
As he was sharing his joy with them, he wanted them to also share their joy with him, to make it reciprical. So they could all rejoice together.
O my Father, I pray for Your children: I pray that we would all grow up to maturity, so that the body of Christ will reach the full stature of the Son of God; and I pray that we would disseminate Your word to the whole world, so that every living being would hear and understand to choose to turn to You or reject Your gracious offer. And I pray that Your protection would be on Your children from all the filth and deception and traps.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Both To Will And To Work
Philippians 2: 12-13
(12) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
Paul really loves these brothers and sisters in Philippi. He encourages them to continue to follow the teachings he brought them from the Lord. He says that they followed his instructions while he was with them, and it's much more pressing now that they continue to obey since he's not with them.
work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
He's not saying to work "for" salvation, but to work "out" the salvation Christ won for them, and that the Father placed in them in His Holy Spirit. They are to work out in their lives what God has already put in them.
(13) for it is God
God is the one doing the work in us, it's not us; this is at His initiative, not ours.
who is at work in you,
He is doing something inside us.
both to will and to work
God puts both the "want to" into our minds and emotions for us to desire what He wants for us; then He also gives us the power, authority and ability to do the things He wants us to do, through His Spirit; things we could never accomplish on our own. He gives us the impossible dreams, then He enables us to accomplish them, in His strength, as His hands and feet. These are the plans He planned out for each of us, to accomplish His great Plan of the Ages.
For His good pleasure.
God is good, and how God planned and designed this Universe and this World to work is for our good. When He sees what He made operating well, that gives Him pleasure. When we do the things He planned for us to accomplish in His strength, then He is "having fun with His toy" (big boys have big toys), deriving pleasure, and we get the benefits.
It's so wonderful how God designed this Earth to function! When we follow His rules for living, the result is beneficial to us here in this life; and God will even reward us eternally for doing what He enables us to do here. He is such a Good God!
O my Father, You are such a wonderful God! You designed this whole universe to run smoothly, like a fine instrument. And Your Spirit is the oil that keeps it humming!
And You use our decisions to move along Your plans for each of us and for all of us. Even the horrible, sinful, evil things that rebels devise, You use for good. Father, the cleverness of Your wisdom is amazing! You have given us a will that is free to choose anything within the parameters You place upon us, so that there is nothing that we can do that will put You off Your game. You see to it that everything continually moves toward the conclusion that You have planned all along.
O Father, when Your Son returns, He will have a glorious time, defeating all the forces arrayed against Him, gaining the great victory over all! It will be magnificent!
And You have given to us, Your children, to reign with Him on His throne, as He reigns with You on Your throne.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim the lordship of Christ Jesus, as the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come mightily, Lord Jesus!
(12) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
Paul really loves these brothers and sisters in Philippi. He encourages them to continue to follow the teachings he brought them from the Lord. He says that they followed his instructions while he was with them, and it's much more pressing now that they continue to obey since he's not with them.
work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
He's not saying to work "for" salvation, but to work "out" the salvation Christ won for them, and that the Father placed in them in His Holy Spirit. They are to work out in their lives what God has already put in them.
(13) for it is God
God is the one doing the work in us, it's not us; this is at His initiative, not ours.
who is at work in you,
He is doing something inside us.
both to will and to work
God puts both the "want to" into our minds and emotions for us to desire what He wants for us; then He also gives us the power, authority and ability to do the things He wants us to do, through His Spirit; things we could never accomplish on our own. He gives us the impossible dreams, then He enables us to accomplish them, in His strength, as His hands and feet. These are the plans He planned out for each of us, to accomplish His great Plan of the Ages.
For His good pleasure.
God is good, and how God planned and designed this Universe and this World to work is for our good. When He sees what He made operating well, that gives Him pleasure. When we do the things He planned for us to accomplish in His strength, then He is "having fun with His toy" (big boys have big toys), deriving pleasure, and we get the benefits.
It's so wonderful how God designed this Earth to function! When we follow His rules for living, the result is beneficial to us here in this life; and God will even reward us eternally for doing what He enables us to do here. He is such a Good God!
O my Father, You are such a wonderful God! You designed this whole universe to run smoothly, like a fine instrument. And Your Spirit is the oil that keeps it humming!
And You use our decisions to move along Your plans for each of us and for all of us. Even the horrible, sinful, evil things that rebels devise, You use for good. Father, the cleverness of Your wisdom is amazing! You have given us a will that is free to choose anything within the parameters You place upon us, so that there is nothing that we can do that will put You off Your game. You see to it that everything continually moves toward the conclusion that You have planned all along.
O Father, when Your Son returns, He will have a glorious time, defeating all the forces arrayed against Him, gaining the great victory over all! It will be magnificent!
And You have given to us, Your children, to reign with Him on His throne, as He reigns with You on Your throne.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim the lordship of Christ Jesus, as the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come mightily, Lord Jesus!
Friday, March 20, 2020
Exalted Over All
Philippians 2: 9-11
(9) For this reason also,
What we saw yesterday, that Jesus humbled Himself and became a man so that He could die a human death for each of us.
God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name,
Because He humbled Himself, then the Father could exalt Him. And when we humble ourselves, He will also exalt us in Christ.
(10) so that at the Name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth,
(11) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God the Father gave God the Son Lordship over all creation. The Son is the Word of God by which He created everything that exists (John 1: 1-3).
The Father is over the Son, and the Son is over the Spirit. I see the Father as the brains, the Son as the brawn, and the Spirit as the life and light. This is very simplistic, but it's my general understanding of how order is in the Godhead.
Jesus commended the centurian for his understanding of the order of authority, saying that his faith was greater than all in Israel, in Matthew 8: 5-10. This soldier understood that Jesus had the authority to command the sickness, even at a distance.
The Son is the Lord God, the sovereign authority over all creation. Everything that exists will bow down to Him, acknowledging His supreme authority.
Everything, from stars and planets and solar systems, to the beings that think and make decisions, to the bacteria and viruses we can't see, down to the very molecules and atoms we're all made of; He's Boss and Ruler over it all.
And we as His body, are participating in His life in the Spirit, and we will help Him rule over creation as His kings and queens, sitting in His throne as He sits in the Father's throne. We have God's Life living in us in His Holy Spirit, and what He has planned for us is so far beyond what we can imagine, that the glimpse He revealed to John of what is ahead for us is described mostly by what won't be there any more! Read Revelation 21 and 22.
O my Father, You are God! There is no other! Nothing can compare to You, everything that exists is from You and is Your imagination! You are our Source for everything. You give us everything we will ever need, and in Your generosity, You give us so much more! You lavish upon us all Your goodness and bounty and prosperity and health and relationships.
Father, You have given us to one another, to teach and admonish and encourage one another. You have given to Mankind to use what You have made to devise so many things that enable us to do so much more than at any other time in our recorded history. And You are still showering upon us all Your wonderful blessings, even when we are experiencing times of trouble and hardship and apart/togetherness.
O Father, I pray for our leaders, that You would protect them and lead them to do for us what is good; and that You be with Your children to show us all how we can each do what we can do to be of benefit to others.
Father, send us out into all the world to preach to every creature how much You love them, and have sent Your own Son to meet all their needs. Lead us to every person who is seeking You, whether or not they realize it is You they are looking for. I know I was looking for Truth, and You are Truth. Some are looking for Peace, or Purpose, or some other quality that You are. Let them find You, let us encounter each one of them, to share You with them, as You are what all of creation craves.
Fill Your great House with all of Your uncountable family members, Father; seat at Your grand Banquet Table all of Your beloved children, to feast and fellowship with You and one another forever!
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, Son of the Father, Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
(9) For this reason also,
What we saw yesterday, that Jesus humbled Himself and became a man so that He could die a human death for each of us.
God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name,
Because He humbled Himself, then the Father could exalt Him. And when we humble ourselves, He will also exalt us in Christ.
(10) so that at the Name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth,
(11) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God the Father gave God the Son Lordship over all creation. The Son is the Word of God by which He created everything that exists (John 1: 1-3).
The Father is over the Son, and the Son is over the Spirit. I see the Father as the brains, the Son as the brawn, and the Spirit as the life and light. This is very simplistic, but it's my general understanding of how order is in the Godhead.
Jesus commended the centurian for his understanding of the order of authority, saying that his faith was greater than all in Israel, in Matthew 8: 5-10. This soldier understood that Jesus had the authority to command the sickness, even at a distance.
The Son is the Lord God, the sovereign authority over all creation. Everything that exists will bow down to Him, acknowledging His supreme authority.
Everything, from stars and planets and solar systems, to the beings that think and make decisions, to the bacteria and viruses we can't see, down to the very molecules and atoms we're all made of; He's Boss and Ruler over it all.
And we as His body, are participating in His life in the Spirit, and we will help Him rule over creation as His kings and queens, sitting in His throne as He sits in the Father's throne. We have God's Life living in us in His Holy Spirit, and what He has planned for us is so far beyond what we can imagine, that the glimpse He revealed to John of what is ahead for us is described mostly by what won't be there any more! Read Revelation 21 and 22.
O my Father, You are God! There is no other! Nothing can compare to You, everything that exists is from You and is Your imagination! You are our Source for everything. You give us everything we will ever need, and in Your generosity, You give us so much more! You lavish upon us all Your goodness and bounty and prosperity and health and relationships.
Father, You have given us to one another, to teach and admonish and encourage one another. You have given to Mankind to use what You have made to devise so many things that enable us to do so much more than at any other time in our recorded history. And You are still showering upon us all Your wonderful blessings, even when we are experiencing times of trouble and hardship and apart/togetherness.
O Father, I pray for our leaders, that You would protect them and lead them to do for us what is good; and that You be with Your children to show us all how we can each do what we can do to be of benefit to others.
Father, send us out into all the world to preach to every creature how much You love them, and have sent Your own Son to meet all their needs. Lead us to every person who is seeking You, whether or not they realize it is You they are looking for. I know I was looking for Truth, and You are Truth. Some are looking for Peace, or Purpose, or some other quality that You are. Let them find You, let us encounter each one of them, to share You with them, as You are what all of creation craves.
Fill Your great House with all of Your uncountable family members, Father; seat at Your grand Banquet Table all of Your beloved children, to feast and fellowship with You and one another forever!
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, Son of the Father, Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 19, 2020
So God Died -- And Was Resurrected
Philippians 2: 6-8
(6) Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
(7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
(8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus knew before He came that He would have to die. That's the only way anyone is able to get out of this world; but even more, He had to be the Lamb of God to be our atoning Sacrifice.
Before this Earth was created, the Triune Godhead decided what He would do when Mankind sinned.
"Then Elohim said, Let us make Man in Our image, after Our likeness..." (Genesis 1:26).
Then the Second Person of the Godhead reached down, got a handful of dirt, and ...
"And the LORD God formed Man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7).
Mankind was created to be God's children, but He gave us the choice whether to choose Him or rebel against Him, because He wants us to want to love Him back.
So the LORD God assumed full responsibility for Mankind, knowing that we would sin, and He would only be able to take us to live with Him where He is by coming to us as one of us, in order to cleanse us, so that we would be fit to live with Him where He is.
By becoming the Lamb of God, the personal Sacrifice that we each would need to wash away our sins with His Blood, He would cleanse us of every stain and spot, making us blameless to dwell with Him in Heaven.
This is the only way we can go to Heaven. Jesus knew this. In His humanity, He didn't want to have to go through with it, and prayed to the Father in the Garden that if there was any other way, to not make Him do it (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36). But He knew there was no other way, and submitted to the Father's will, that He had agreed to before the beginning.
Jesus had to be a real human to die a human death for each of us, and in facing death He conquered it: then, because He didn't deserve to die, He was Resurrected with a new kind of life, a spiritual body, no longer subject to death.
Now He can call us, who have accepted His sacrifice as our own, to that same Resurrection life, our bodies will be changed to be like His, either from the grave or without having to die, if we live to that Day of His Glorious Appearing. Then we also will no longer be subject to death, and we will live with our Lord, face-to-face, forever, in spiritual bodies like His.
That's why He came. And He is coming again. Soon.
O my Father, thank You so much for Your Son! Thank You for solving all the problems we make for ourselves, and showing us in Your written Word how to deal with whatever assails us.
Father, You knew that we would rebel against You, yet Your Love will not let us go. You sent Your Son to pay our debt and cleanse us, so that we could be born into Your own family and live with You forever! This is incredible! You are incredible!
O Father, send out Your children as Your missionaries to share with every living person how much You love them. Lead us to all of Your embryonic children to bring them to the birth, to rescue all of Your lost lambs from the brambles of sin and the pits of deception. Enable us to untangle them and pull them out, even from the flames of hell licking at their heels.
And no one will have any excuse. Every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, our Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
(6) Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
(7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
(8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus knew before He came that He would have to die. That's the only way anyone is able to get out of this world; but even more, He had to be the Lamb of God to be our atoning Sacrifice.
Before this Earth was created, the Triune Godhead decided what He would do when Mankind sinned.
"Then Elohim said, Let us make Man in Our image, after Our likeness..." (Genesis 1:26).
Then the Second Person of the Godhead reached down, got a handful of dirt, and ...
"And the LORD God formed Man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7).
Mankind was created to be God's children, but He gave us the choice whether to choose Him or rebel against Him, because He wants us to want to love Him back.
So the LORD God assumed full responsibility for Mankind, knowing that we would sin, and He would only be able to take us to live with Him where He is by coming to us as one of us, in order to cleanse us, so that we would be fit to live with Him where He is.
By becoming the Lamb of God, the personal Sacrifice that we each would need to wash away our sins with His Blood, He would cleanse us of every stain and spot, making us blameless to dwell with Him in Heaven.
This is the only way we can go to Heaven. Jesus knew this. In His humanity, He didn't want to have to go through with it, and prayed to the Father in the Garden that if there was any other way, to not make Him do it (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36). But He knew there was no other way, and submitted to the Father's will, that He had agreed to before the beginning.
Jesus had to be a real human to die a human death for each of us, and in facing death He conquered it: then, because He didn't deserve to die, He was Resurrected with a new kind of life, a spiritual body, no longer subject to death.
Now He can call us, who have accepted His sacrifice as our own, to that same Resurrection life, our bodies will be changed to be like His, either from the grave or without having to die, if we live to that Day of His Glorious Appearing. Then we also will no longer be subject to death, and we will live with our Lord, face-to-face, forever, in spiritual bodies like His.
That's why He came. And He is coming again. Soon.
Father, You knew that we would rebel against You, yet Your Love will not let us go. You sent Your Son to pay our debt and cleanse us, so that we could be born into Your own family and live with You forever! This is incredible! You are incredible!
O Father, send out Your children as Your missionaries to share with every living person how much You love them. Lead us to all of Your embryonic children to bring them to the birth, to rescue all of Your lost lambs from the brambles of sin and the pits of deception. Enable us to untangle them and pull them out, even from the flames of hell licking at their heels.
And no one will have any excuse. Every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, our Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
To Be Like Jesus
Philippians 2: 1-5
(1) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
(2) make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
(3) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
(4) do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
(5) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.
WWJD, What Would Jesus Do? What would Jesus think? What attitude would Jesus have on "this" matter I'm facing?
Can I think like Jesus? Can I fill my heart with what fills His heart? Can I live my life among the people in my little world as Jesus would live with these people?
Am I encouraged in my belonging to Christ? Do I have any comfort in His love? Am I aware of being friends, having fellowship, with His Spirit? Is my heart tender or sympathetic toward others, even when I don't agree with their views or lifestyles?
Father, You are my Provider of everything I need to be like Your Son, My Lord, Christ Jesus. Your great mercy in not giving me the wrath I deserve, having put it all on Jesus on the Cross; Your great grace, cleansing me and giving me all the abundance of Your riches in glory that Jesus deserves and earned for me.
You are now my Daddy (Abba), my good Father. You want only the best for me, so You will train me, discipline me, teach me, lead me and guide me. I put my hand in Yours, but even if I pull away, You will hold my hand firmly, as the good Parent Your are. You will never allow me to get away from You into the path of a speeding truck bearing down on me. You will never allow me to pull away over the edge of a cliff. Your light of Truth illumines each step I take, just as my car headlights light the road before me but not the entire journey.
I trust You, Father, to keep me on Your narrow path, avoiding all the boulders and potholes and away from the ditches on the right hand and on the left. I don't know what lies around that corner I see up ahead, but I know You do, You have planned out what You want to accomplish in my life, and I don't want to miss any of the details of the good You want for me.
Keep on keeping on with me, Father, molding me and shaping me, teaching me and disciplining me, making me into the very image of Your dear Son, Who is the image of the Father. You are God, God Almighty, and You are building Yourself a family. Thank You for including me in Your family, Dad.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(1) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
(2) make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
(3) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
(4) do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
(5) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.
WWJD, What Would Jesus Do? What would Jesus think? What attitude would Jesus have on "this" matter I'm facing?
Can I think like Jesus? Can I fill my heart with what fills His heart? Can I live my life among the people in my little world as Jesus would live with these people?
Am I encouraged in my belonging to Christ? Do I have any comfort in His love? Am I aware of being friends, having fellowship, with His Spirit? Is my heart tender or sympathetic toward others, even when I don't agree with their views or lifestyles?
Father, You are my Provider of everything I need to be like Your Son, My Lord, Christ Jesus. Your great mercy in not giving me the wrath I deserve, having put it all on Jesus on the Cross; Your great grace, cleansing me and giving me all the abundance of Your riches in glory that Jesus deserves and earned for me.
You are now my Daddy (Abba), my good Father. You want only the best for me, so You will train me, discipline me, teach me, lead me and guide me. I put my hand in Yours, but even if I pull away, You will hold my hand firmly, as the good Parent Your are. You will never allow me to get away from You into the path of a speeding truck bearing down on me. You will never allow me to pull away over the edge of a cliff. Your light of Truth illumines each step I take, just as my car headlights light the road before me but not the entire journey.
I trust You, Father, to keep me on Your narrow path, avoiding all the boulders and potholes and away from the ditches on the right hand and on the left. I don't know what lies around that corner I see up ahead, but I know You do, You have planned out what You want to accomplish in my life, and I don't want to miss any of the details of the good You want for me.
Keep on keeping on with me, Father, molding me and shaping me, teaching me and disciplining me, making me into the very image of Your dear Son, Who is the image of the Father. You are God, God Almighty, and You are building Yourself a family. Thank You for including me in Your family, Dad.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Opposition Is A Gift From God
Philippians 1: 27-30
(27) Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,
Live your lives with an attitude of submission to others, as Christ submitted to the will of the Father. Live like the children of the King, as His family all hold the same values.
so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you
No matter if he comes or not, he will either see how they are doing, or hear about it. Either way, he will know.
that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
He expects them to be loyal to one another as they are to Christ, supporting one another and defending one another in defense of the truth of the gospel.
(28) in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
Then anyone who opposes them, attacking with other ideas, will not be able to rile them up, having the peace of Christ and standing firm in the truth.
This strength seen in God's people will show that those who are willingly in error will be judged, when the Lord returns, if not before.
And God's people will be rewarded.
(29) For to you it has been granted
This opposition as well as other lessons and benefits have been given to us as gifts.
for Christ's sake,
Because of, as a result of, what Christ has accomplished as our Substitute.
not only to believe in him,
Our belief, our faith, our trusting in Jesus is a gift of God, not of ourselves.
but also to suffer for His sake,
When we are rejected by others, persecuted by others, it's not to make us victims, but to grant us victory over the works of our enemy.
So the faith we have in Jesus to take our place in death in payment of our debt is a gift from God, as He draws us into trusting Him.
And when we are persecuted and martyred, that is also a gift from God. We may see suffering as other people making us victims, but God grants us this as a means of growing us up to be mature adults in His family, and we will reap the benefits as He receives the glory.
(30) experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
They are not alone in their suffering, as Paul also is undergoing the same. And God's people have always been subjected to the same kind of opposition and persecution from the world and the devil, as history attests, and is still ongoing even today.
If someone has slandered you, or spoken against your witness for Christ, or has opposed you in any way; then pray for that person to come to know the Truth, for they have most likely been deceived, and are lashing out from their own misery. Hurt people will hurt other people. Show them kindness and compassion, as you refute their errors.
O my Father, You are still working out Your plans for Your creation. You are still saving those who turn to You, and protecting Your children. You are still using our choices to further Your plans, and granting us all the consequences of our decisions, whether for our benefit or their destruction.
O father, strengthen Your sons and daughters against the attacks from the enemy and his minions. Grow us up and mature us to respond to them in Your goodness and graciousness, to win them over by our gentleness, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
Father, continue to send out Your children as messengers of Your gospel, to preach Your gospel of love to every living being, and to find all Your lost sheep. Enable us to rescue all of Your embryonic children from the brambles of entangling sin, and the pits of enticing deceit. Help us to pull them lovingly out of the destructive attitudes that are destroying them, and draw them into the safety and healing of Your one fold with one Shepherd.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(27) Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,
Live your lives with an attitude of submission to others, as Christ submitted to the will of the Father. Live like the children of the King, as His family all hold the same values.
so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you
No matter if he comes or not, he will either see how they are doing, or hear about it. Either way, he will know.
that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
He expects them to be loyal to one another as they are to Christ, supporting one another and defending one another in defense of the truth of the gospel.
(28) in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
Then anyone who opposes them, attacking with other ideas, will not be able to rile them up, having the peace of Christ and standing firm in the truth.
This strength seen in God's people will show that those who are willingly in error will be judged, when the Lord returns, if not before.
And God's people will be rewarded.
(29) For to you it has been granted
This opposition as well as other lessons and benefits have been given to us as gifts.
for Christ's sake,
Because of, as a result of, what Christ has accomplished as our Substitute.
not only to believe in him,
Our belief, our faith, our trusting in Jesus is a gift of God, not of ourselves.
but also to suffer for His sake,
When we are rejected by others, persecuted by others, it's not to make us victims, but to grant us victory over the works of our enemy.
So the faith we have in Jesus to take our place in death in payment of our debt is a gift from God, as He draws us into trusting Him.
And when we are persecuted and martyred, that is also a gift from God. We may see suffering as other people making us victims, but God grants us this as a means of growing us up to be mature adults in His family, and we will reap the benefits as He receives the glory.
(30) experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
They are not alone in their suffering, as Paul also is undergoing the same. And God's people have always been subjected to the same kind of opposition and persecution from the world and the devil, as history attests, and is still ongoing even today.
If someone has slandered you, or spoken against your witness for Christ, or has opposed you in any way; then pray for that person to come to know the Truth, for they have most likely been deceived, and are lashing out from their own misery. Hurt people will hurt other people. Show them kindness and compassion, as you refute their errors.
O my Father, You are still working out Your plans for Your creation. You are still saving those who turn to You, and protecting Your children. You are still using our choices to further Your plans, and granting us all the consequences of our decisions, whether for our benefit or their destruction.
O father, strengthen Your sons and daughters against the attacks from the enemy and his minions. Grow us up and mature us to respond to them in Your goodness and graciousness, to win them over by our gentleness, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
Father, continue to send out Your children as messengers of Your gospel, to preach Your gospel of love to every living being, and to find all Your lost sheep. Enable us to rescue all of Your embryonic children from the brambles of entangling sin, and the pits of enticing deceit. Help us to pull them lovingly out of the destructive attitudes that are destroying them, and draw them into the safety and healing of Your one fold with one Shepherd.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 16, 2020
Hard-Pressed From Both Directions
Philippians 1: 21-26
We will continue to look at Paul's dilemma.
(21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
We saw yesterday that the trial Paul was involved in at this writing was ongoing and he didn't know yet how it would conclude.
(22) But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
He is looking at the benefits of both of these possibilities. To win his case would mean that he would be able to continue to work in the promotion of Christ's Kingdom.
(23) But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
(24) yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Paul is "torn between the two," seeing benefits on both sides. He would love to "be with Christ, which is better by far," but he also realizes the benefits to the Philippian believers of continuing ministry on his part.
(25) Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
Paul knows that the Lord is with him, but when he says, I know that I will remain, he's not speaking infallibly as though he has had a revelation; he is expressing his confidence in the Lord to allow him to continue.
History shows us that he did survive this trial, he was released and traveled again, before the arrest and imprisonment that concluded in his martyrdom.
(26) so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
Their confidence is based on the joy in the faith that will result in their further spiritual growth under Paul's continuing ministry to them.
O my Father, You have given us so much more than we will ever need. Your generosity should encourage us to share everything You give to us, because we are not to be "pools" but "channels" through which God's love and grace flow.
You have had Paul write that he would rather be with You, but was confident that he would remain to serve Your church. I see this as so generous of him, that You had taught him to be such a wide channel for Your river of knowledge and grace to flow. And it is still flowing, all the way even to me!
Father, teach me Your generosity, that I would not be selfish with the gifts You have given me; that I would not be focused only on myself and my stuff, but that my eyes would be open to see the needs of others that I could help with. Show me how You want me to be Your hands and feet, distributing Your bounty to all those You place in my path.
Send all Your children out, Father, send me out; so that all of Your lost children will be found, and all creation will hear of Your love and grace.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
We will continue to look at Paul's dilemma.
(21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
We saw yesterday that the trial Paul was involved in at this writing was ongoing and he didn't know yet how it would conclude.
(22) But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
He is looking at the benefits of both of these possibilities. To win his case would mean that he would be able to continue to work in the promotion of Christ's Kingdom.
(23) But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
(24) yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Paul is "torn between the two," seeing benefits on both sides. He would love to "be with Christ, which is better by far," but he also realizes the benefits to the Philippian believers of continuing ministry on his part.
(25) Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
Paul knows that the Lord is with him, but when he says, I know that I will remain, he's not speaking infallibly as though he has had a revelation; he is expressing his confidence in the Lord to allow him to continue.
History shows us that he did survive this trial, he was released and traveled again, before the arrest and imprisonment that concluded in his martyrdom.
(26) so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
Their confidence is based on the joy in the faith that will result in their further spiritual growth under Paul's continuing ministry to them.
O my Father, You have given us so much more than we will ever need. Your generosity should encourage us to share everything You give to us, because we are not to be "pools" but "channels" through which God's love and grace flow.
You have had Paul write that he would rather be with You, but was confident that he would remain to serve Your church. I see this as so generous of him, that You had taught him to be such a wide channel for Your river of knowledge and grace to flow. And it is still flowing, all the way even to me!
Father, teach me Your generosity, that I would not be selfish with the gifts You have given me; that I would not be focused only on myself and my stuff, but that my eyes would be open to see the needs of others that I could help with. Show me how You want me to be Your hands and feet, distributing Your bounty to all those You place in my path.
Send all Your children out, Father, send me out; so that all of Your lost children will be found, and all creation will hear of Your love and grace.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
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