Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.
Wow, it would sure be nice if Paul would put some clarifiers on his commands...For instance, "do nothing out of selfish ambition"?? or "consider others better than yourselves"...I'm guessing what Paul really means is that we should do most things without selfish ambition and that we should consider some others as better than ourselves...or maybe he means what he says. If that is the case, than I'm thinking that Paul is looking for our hearts, not just our actions. I find that if my faith journey is simply about actions, I will slide to what is easiest. If my faith journey is about heart, I more easily move to what is best. Having said that, how is it possible to really do nothing out of selfish ambition and really consider all others as better than myself? I wonder if the great commandment might give us a hint. The greatest commandment is to love God with all of who we are, the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves (sounds suspiciously similar to this passage). I'm thinking the second part is impossible without the first. According to John 15 we can do nothing apart from Christ, apart from loving God with everything. However, when we begin to journey in that direction, all things are possible. Lord, fill me with a passion for you, and in turn, a passion for others. May these commands become my reality. I am sorry for when that is not the case.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Our Interpersonal Relationship with Christ
Philippians 2:1-2
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Paul seems to be making some pretty obvious statements, in the sense that if you are a Christian, than these traits will be a part of your reality, you will be encouraged from your union with Christ, you will find comfort in his love, there will be fellowship with the spirit etc. etc. The point is this, if this is your relationship as individuals with Christ, it needs to result in community and focus as a body. It must. I’m thinking that the implication is that without personal engagement with Christ it will be impossible for be one in spirit and purpose. Infact, I would suggest that an unwillingness to journey together in spirit and purpose (perhaps implying both affections and actions) may be a sign of a lack of connection with Christ. This is serious.
In my journey, the times when I am not desiring to journey well with others, are often times of shallowness with God. I am guessing that journeying with others is both a result of my engagement with Christ as well as a way to more deeply engage Christ. I am reminded again that I am not called to be an island…Lord, give me the desire to not be an island, to journey together with others.
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Paul seems to be making some pretty obvious statements, in the sense that if you are a Christian, than these traits will be a part of your reality, you will be encouraged from your union with Christ, you will find comfort in his love, there will be fellowship with the spirit etc. etc. The point is this, if this is your relationship as individuals with Christ, it needs to result in community and focus as a body. It must. I’m thinking that the implication is that without personal engagement with Christ it will be impossible for be one in spirit and purpose. Infact, I would suggest that an unwillingness to journey together in spirit and purpose (perhaps implying both affections and actions) may be a sign of a lack of connection with Christ. This is serious.
In my journey, the times when I am not desiring to journey well with others, are often times of shallowness with God. I am guessing that journeying with others is both a result of my engagement with Christ as well as a way to more deeply engage Christ. I am reminded again that I am not called to be an island…Lord, give me the desire to not be an island, to journey together with others.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Presence in Pain Phil 1:27-30
Philippians 1:27-30
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
The context is persecution and abandonment. The Philippians are either under persecution or they are about to be, and judging by Paul's previous statements, there is a chance that they may soon be abandoned. For many of us, this may be too much. Heck, I don't get much persecution, and I have a family and church team around me, and still there are times when I struggle with living in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...still there are moments when I am frightened by those who oppose me. Perhaps the greater fear is that there is a good chance that in time, it may get worse. As Paul says, "it has been granted (granted, like a gift?) to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him". The reality is, that part of following Christ also includes persecution of some kind. But here is the hope...it is through persecution that others may see Christ, this is the greatest good. And it is in persecution that God is present, and will do His saving work (vs.28). I have prayed at times that when persecution comes, God's grace would hold me...1 Peter 4:14 states that in the midst of suffering, God's Spirit will rest on us...this is our hope. Lord, I pray for my brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering for the sake of Your Kingdom. May they sense Your presence Lord in a real way. May they have hope...
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
The context is persecution and abandonment. The Philippians are either under persecution or they are about to be, and judging by Paul's previous statements, there is a chance that they may soon be abandoned. For many of us, this may be too much. Heck, I don't get much persecution, and I have a family and church team around me, and still there are times when I struggle with living in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...still there are moments when I am frightened by those who oppose me. Perhaps the greater fear is that there is a good chance that in time, it may get worse. As Paul says, "it has been granted (granted, like a gift?) to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him". The reality is, that part of following Christ also includes persecution of some kind. But here is the hope...it is through persecution that others may see Christ, this is the greatest good. And it is in persecution that God is present, and will do His saving work (vs.28). I have prayed at times that when persecution comes, God's grace would hold me...1 Peter 4:14 states that in the midst of suffering, God's Spirit will rest on us...this is our hope. Lord, I pray for my brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering for the sake of Your Kingdom. May they sense Your presence Lord in a real way. May they have hope...
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
To live or not to live Phil 1:19-26
Phil 1:19-26
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Most times we think it is an amazing thing if someone is willing to die for someone else. Even Christ said that greater love has no one than to lay his life down for them. This is true. However, in this situation, Paul's love is shown in his willingness to live. His life is not about himself. His passion is to glorify God (v 20) whether by life or death...in living, glorifying God means living for God by living for others. His passion by the way, to spread the Gospel does not end at the "point of salvation", he longs to see these people grow in faith and joy in Christ. This is what brings glory to God. Father, I pray that you would give me a passion to see others grow in faith and joy in Christ. May I be willing to live for that...I wonder if the only way we can truly live like that is if we see death as gain?
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Most times we think it is an amazing thing if someone is willing to die for someone else. Even Christ said that greater love has no one than to lay his life down for them. This is true. However, in this situation, Paul's love is shown in his willingness to live. His life is not about himself. His passion is to glorify God (v 20) whether by life or death...in living, glorifying God means living for God by living for others. His passion by the way, to spread the Gospel does not end at the "point of salvation", he longs to see these people grow in faith and joy in Christ. This is what brings glory to God. Father, I pray that you would give me a passion to see others grow in faith and joy in Christ. May I be willing to live for that...I wonder if the only way we can truly live like that is if we see death as gain?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Keep Talking!!! Philippians 1:16-18
Philippians 1:15-18
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[c] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Over and over it has become apparent that there is one primary driving passion in Paul's life, the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is so good for me to be reminded again of the need to continue to preach Jesus Christ, the Gospel. We are in a time where we are becoming more aware of our need to be wholistic in our engagement of our world and others. I believe this is good and part of our mandate as followers of Christ. But during this time of renewal and refocus, we must not lose our passion and love for others in the sharing of the truth of Jesus Christ.
It is interesting, Paul's imprisonment has created to groups of people who are more boldly sharing the Gospel. One group out of love for Paul and support of him, they are driven to pick up where he has had to leave off. Another group who have used this opportunity to gain status amongst he Christian community, who have been envious of Paul...it seems to me that some things never change. Within the Christian community today we compete, we compare, we attack. How do we move above this plain? For Paul, while not affirming their sinful nature, his focus is still singular, the gospel, and he rejoices in the reality that it is being spread...may this be our joy, our passion.
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[c] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Over and over it has become apparent that there is one primary driving passion in Paul's life, the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is so good for me to be reminded again of the need to continue to preach Jesus Christ, the Gospel. We are in a time where we are becoming more aware of our need to be wholistic in our engagement of our world and others. I believe this is good and part of our mandate as followers of Christ. But during this time of renewal and refocus, we must not lose our passion and love for others in the sharing of the truth of Jesus Christ.
It is interesting, Paul's imprisonment has created to groups of people who are more boldly sharing the Gospel. One group out of love for Paul and support of him, they are driven to pick up where he has had to leave off. Another group who have used this opportunity to gain status amongst he Christian community, who have been envious of Paul...it seems to me that some things never change. Within the Christian community today we compete, we compare, we attack. How do we move above this plain? For Paul, while not affirming their sinful nature, his focus is still singular, the gospel, and he rejoices in the reality that it is being spread...may this be our joy, our passion.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
No pain no gain? Phil 1:12-14
Phil 1:12-14
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Paul is stuck in prison (and I'm guessing he didn't have cable tv or a recreation facility), which is probably the situation referred to in Acts 28. Dude has lost everything and still his perspective is totally "other world". Everything Paul is involved in has to do with his mission and purpose in life. It consumes him. I would suggest that it is also reflective of his belief in God's control over all things, as nothing seems to be a waste moment of outside of God's purpose for him. Of course, his passion, his purpose is to advance the gospel, and this is what is taking place through his suffering.
There are at least two ways in which Paul's suffering has served to advance the gospel...
1. The palace guard and those who are observing can't help but know why Paul is suffering...the gospel.
2. It has encouraged others to get after it. If one is willing to sacrifice for the kingdom, others will follow.
A couple of thoughts...1. Why is it that whenever I suffer, I think it is an aberation, a straying away from what life is supposed to be about? Why do I feel it is always so unfair? Maybe there is a bigger purpose going on than I am willing to acknowledge...
2. I wonder if the reason that we seem to see little true spreading of the gospel in our country is that we have it too good...just a thought...an uncomfortable one. I'll leave you with that.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Paul is stuck in prison (and I'm guessing he didn't have cable tv or a recreation facility), which is probably the situation referred to in Acts 28. Dude has lost everything and still his perspective is totally "other world". Everything Paul is involved in has to do with his mission and purpose in life. It consumes him. I would suggest that it is also reflective of his belief in God's control over all things, as nothing seems to be a waste moment of outside of God's purpose for him. Of course, his passion, his purpose is to advance the gospel, and this is what is taking place through his suffering.
There are at least two ways in which Paul's suffering has served to advance the gospel...
1. The palace guard and those who are observing can't help but know why Paul is suffering...the gospel.
2. It has encouraged others to get after it. If one is willing to sacrifice for the kingdom, others will follow.
A couple of thoughts...1. Why is it that whenever I suffer, I think it is an aberation, a straying away from what life is supposed to be about? Why do I feel it is always so unfair? Maybe there is a bigger purpose going on than I am willing to acknowledge...
2. I wonder if the reason that we seem to see little true spreading of the gospel in our country is that we have it too good...just a thought...an uncomfortable one. I'll leave you with that.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Phil 1:9-11...Let's Love
Phil 1:9-11
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Just a quick reflection on my previous blog...I am convicted of my lack of prayer for my fellow saints, these include for me, students, fellow youth workers, family and friends. I need to be more committed to prayer...moving on...
It is interesting to me that the kind of love that Paul is praying for his friends is more than just emotions (although I would argue not less). It is a love that includes good thinking (knowledge and depth of insight). It is also active (filled with the fruit of righteousness). Certainly by the way that Paul responds in the previous verses it is also emotive. Whatever the case, the love that Paul is praying for the Philippians is rich and deep and one that while given by God's grace (he would not be praying for it if that was not the case) is one that we are active in growing as well. It doesn't just happen which makes me think it stands the test of time and difficulties. Lord, may this be the type of love that grows in my heart...in our hearts.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Just a quick reflection on my previous blog...I am convicted of my lack of prayer for my fellow saints, these include for me, students, fellow youth workers, family and friends. I need to be more committed to prayer...moving on...
It is interesting to me that the kind of love that Paul is praying for his friends is more than just emotions (although I would argue not less). It is a love that includes good thinking (knowledge and depth of insight). It is also active (filled with the fruit of righteousness). Certainly by the way that Paul responds in the previous verses it is also emotive. Whatever the case, the love that Paul is praying for the Philippians is rich and deep and one that while given by God's grace (he would not be praying for it if that was not the case) is one that we are active in growing as well. It doesn't just happen which makes me think it stands the test of time and difficulties. Lord, may this be the type of love that grows in my heart...in our hearts.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Philippians 1:1-8
Well, here I go starting a new blog group (or blevo's as Jeremy calls them). Let's hope this goes better than the last!!!!
Philippians 1
Phl 1:1 Paul and Timothy,a servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
As I read this passage, I am struck by the beautiful reality of a couple of truths...
1. We are not alone in our spiritual journey and mission on earth. Paul saw the Philippians as partners...I think I take my "partners" for granted, that needs to change.
2 second, who we are now is not the finished product. God is continuing to work in our lives, changing and transforming our lives...He is not done and won't be done until we are completed!
3. When I look at our students who are struggling, I have much hope, like Paul because God is not finished eith them yet either, and we are invited to join in the journey.
Final question...do I have a deep affection for my "partners in the faith"?
Philippians 1
Phl 1:1 Paul and Timothy,a servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
As I read this passage, I am struck by the beautiful reality of a couple of truths...
1. We are not alone in our spiritual journey and mission on earth. Paul saw the Philippians as partners...I think I take my "partners" for granted, that needs to change.
2 second, who we are now is not the finished product. God is continuing to work in our lives, changing and transforming our lives...He is not done and won't be done until we are completed!
3. When I look at our students who are struggling, I have much hope, like Paul because God is not finished eith them yet either, and we are invited to join in the journey.
Final question...do I have a deep affection for my "partners in the faith"?
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