Philippians 3 - THE SPIRITUAL MIND or THINGS CAN ROB JOY
Philippians 3:8-11 "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."
The Old English of the KJV sounds very formal to us. Paul is beginning these verses (which are actually one long sentence) by making a contrast to the verses above. We have looked at the descriptions of the human things that Paul had accomplished and could brag about. In our casual English these verses set a tone of "Oh, yeah? Well if you think you're somebody special, let me just tell you who I AM!" The contrast words that begin today's section could be interpreted "Yeah, well, whatever." All of those great accomplishments really meant nothing to Paul.
Paul had listed all of the things he could glory in as a way of getting their attention. It was sort of like him listing off a resume that validated his right to speak on this subject. Here he gently turns their attention away from the razzle dazzle of his accomplishments and says "I count all of that as dung."
So, what is dung? In the walls surrounding Jerusalem, there are gates that all have names based on what they were used for. The Sheep Gate was near the section of town where the shepherds brought sheep into the city for sale or sacrifice. The Eastern Gate faced the east and the rising sun. It was all part of a system of organization. The Dung Gate had its purpose too. Outside of this gate was the landfill. Imagine a city with no trash pickup, no garbage disposals in the sink, and no sewer. If we had to collect all of our household's trash, garbage, and sewage for just one day think how that would stink! There were no Pampers or Kotex products. There was no refrigeration to keep food from spoiling if it was kept overnight and no garbage disposal to get rid of it before bedtime. Most of the people who do not like camping would be shocked and overwhelmed if they were transported back to this time!
Not a single one of us would keep a dirty baby diaper around any longer than we had to. There is no good use for it. There is no value to it. There is nothing enjoyable about it. Especially a cloth diaper that the poo has been mashed into the fabric. We're so proper in this day and age that even a conversation about such things makes us squeamish and uncomfortable. That is how Paul felt about his "great" accomplishments before his salvation. Talking about them made him squeamish and uncomfortable. He had no use for them and saw no value in them.
Paul counted all of his accomplishments as useless and vile compared to his new goal of knowing Christ. He did not have the idea of just getting familiar with Christ in a casual friendship way. He meant that he wanted to understand Christ and be a part of His glory.
Many people have speculated about Paul's marital situation. Just as it is today, society expects people to be married and consider it a part of their success. I do not claim to know the facts for sure, but if we consider for a moment that his Jewish heritage would value marriage and his Roman heritage would expect marriage, it seems logical that he was indeed married. His wife would have been very respected in the social circles. When we know of a man who has power and fame, we automatically wonder about his wife and she has "movie star" status. But Paul never talks about a wife. One thought on this topic is that Paul was indeed married, but when he became a Christian and embraced this new system of faith in Christ, that his wife left him. Imagine her shame. Imagine her anger. She would have lost all of her social status as soon as word spread that he had converted. There may have been pressures and threats for her to figure out what had happened to him. There may have been accusations of guilt by association that she had converted also. In my mind, I am afraid that if he were married that she would have felt betrayed and would have wasted no time whatsoever in getting as far away from Paul as possible.
And remember that he had military status. He would have been at the top of his pay grade. He maybe got bonuses for his brutality. He was probably quite wealthy. I suppose that the Roman government "froze his assets" when they heard he had converted. He probably had an impressive home and collections of weapons or memorabilia. What I understand of the Roman government, they probably went into his home and took back as many of this trophies of his conquests as they could because he was no longer worthy to keep them. His citizenship in Rome gave him certain alienable rights, but I can't imagine anyone talking to him in public any more. He was completely against the Christians one minute and completely against the government the next. His friends wouldn't have wanted to be associated with even his name now. The soldiers he had trained to persecute the Christians probably wanted to show him just how much they hated him for what they considered traitorous behavior.
Basically, everything that Paul had ever dreamed of and that he had worked so hard for all of his life, and everyone that he had chosen to have around him and worked to gain the respect and dedication of, had all been flushed down the toilet . . . where it belonged.
What things are precious to you? What positions in life or statuses do you value? What are the associations or titles that you use to identify yourself? What if it were all stripped away in a day? What if it were all stripped away in the name of Christ? Would that make it any easier to bear?
If you lost all of these things, would you lose your joy? Job said "Though He slay me, yet will I serve Him." The spiritual mind is focused on the right things.
Song: "There Is Joy In Serving Jesus"
Friday, October 18, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Who do you think you are?
PHILIPPIANS 3 - - THE SPIRITUAL MIND - or - THINGS ROB JOY
Philippians 3:3-7 "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
Paul just warned us about the Judaisers who were making faith something of works. They were weakening the value of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection by claiming it was not enough and needed to include certain works. Verse 3 lists three things that Paul specified were the "new" marks of dedication to God. Circumcision had been an outward evidence of an inward spiritual change. The changes in worship that needed to come about (no more sacrificing, no more following the Law, living by grace) were the New Testament equivalent of circumcision. Paul continues to teach and reassure these Christians that the ceremonies they had been observing were no longer required to demonstrate their faith.
"We are the circumcision which . . . " 1. worship God in the spirit (no more rituals or ceremonies but faith in the heart) 2. rejoice in Christ Jesus recognize Christ as the Messiah and give Him the rightful honor that is due Him) 3. have no confidence in the flesh (do not depend on the Law to validate our faith). There are movements today such as Messianic Judaism that still hold to many of the detailed rituals and laws of the Old Testament as part of their worship. This verse clearly states that these practices are no longer essential and actually have been replaced.
The Dispensation of the Law was a time period where the people followed the letter of the Law as a demonstration of their faith in the coming Messiah and His work on Calvary. Their actions and habits set them apart from the rest of the world and clearly marked them as peculiar. Today our actions and habits set us apart from the rest of the world and clearly mark us as peculiar.
Paul goes on to remind them of just exactly who he is to be making such claims. He states that if ANYONE has any right to claim confidence in the flesh, he does and here are his supporting statements:
Circumcised the eighth day His parents had followed tradition ever since his birth
Of the stock of Israel He establishes his Jewish heritage not just culture
Of the tribe of Benjamin It is essential to Jews that they be able to prove their
lineage and identify which tribe they descend from
An Hebrew of the Hebrews A Jew that could speak Hebrew AND Aramaic
Touching the Law A Pharisee (pious sect that prided themselves on holding
every single part of the Law)
Concerning zeal Persecuting the church (traditional Jews did not want to
accept the "new" form of worship and were judged for how
they stood up against it)
Touching the righteousness
which is in the Law Blameless (He knew the Law so well He didn't make mistakes against it)
Of all people in the world at his time, Paul was someone who could brag on his accomplishments and his "Jewish-ness." His whole life, from the time he was born, was focused on the Law, he knew the in's and out's of it, and he kept it. BUT . . .
All of these credentials, which he had worked his entire life to earn, and that set him apart as a Jew to be revered and honored, he counted as empty and lost. His past life as Saul where he persecuted the church was valued by how zealously he had worked to squash this "new" religion. He went overboard to prove his dedication. He was the equivalent of "working his way up the ladder" and was an over-achiever. He didn't just do things rightly, he did things perfectly! And all of that training and work and passion got him nowhere in the eyes of God.
I am a pastor's wife. I have been saved 42 years. I can go on and on, but just this much starts to make me sick and uncomfortable. Who do I think I am? I am nobody! The only One Who makes me worthy to be in God's presence is Jesus Christ my Savior. And we need to get a better grasp on that fact and be humbled by it. "There is none righteous, no not one!" Except through Christ. Keeping the Law so perfectly and with such vigor did nothing to help Paul be accepted in the eyes of God. It doesn't matter how many Bible verses I can quote, how perfectly my skirts are lengthened, how many casseroles I have made, how many specials I have sung, or diapers I have changed in the church nursery! I have nothing to brag about . . . except what Christ did on Calvary.
Are you like Jews of Paul's day judging your spiritual worth by the number of things you do? Or are you trusting in Christ and salvation through faith?
Philippians 3:3-7 "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
Paul just warned us about the Judaisers who were making faith something of works. They were weakening the value of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection by claiming it was not enough and needed to include certain works. Verse 3 lists three things that Paul specified were the "new" marks of dedication to God. Circumcision had been an outward evidence of an inward spiritual change. The changes in worship that needed to come about (no more sacrificing, no more following the Law, living by grace) were the New Testament equivalent of circumcision. Paul continues to teach and reassure these Christians that the ceremonies they had been observing were no longer required to demonstrate their faith.
"We are the circumcision which . . . " 1. worship God in the spirit (no more rituals or ceremonies but faith in the heart) 2. rejoice in Christ Jesus recognize Christ as the Messiah and give Him the rightful honor that is due Him) 3. have no confidence in the flesh (do not depend on the Law to validate our faith). There are movements today such as Messianic Judaism that still hold to many of the detailed rituals and laws of the Old Testament as part of their worship. This verse clearly states that these practices are no longer essential and actually have been replaced.
The Dispensation of the Law was a time period where the people followed the letter of the Law as a demonstration of their faith in the coming Messiah and His work on Calvary. Their actions and habits set them apart from the rest of the world and clearly marked them as peculiar. Today our actions and habits set us apart from the rest of the world and clearly mark us as peculiar.
Paul goes on to remind them of just exactly who he is to be making such claims. He states that if ANYONE has any right to claim confidence in the flesh, he does and here are his supporting statements:
Circumcised the eighth day His parents had followed tradition ever since his birth
Of the stock of Israel He establishes his Jewish heritage not just culture
Of the tribe of Benjamin It is essential to Jews that they be able to prove their
lineage and identify which tribe they descend from
An Hebrew of the Hebrews A Jew that could speak Hebrew AND Aramaic
Touching the Law A Pharisee (pious sect that prided themselves on holding
every single part of the Law)
Concerning zeal Persecuting the church (traditional Jews did not want to
accept the "new" form of worship and were judged for how
they stood up against it)
Touching the righteousness
which is in the Law Blameless (He knew the Law so well He didn't make mistakes against it)
Of all people in the world at his time, Paul was someone who could brag on his accomplishments and his "Jewish-ness." His whole life, from the time he was born, was focused on the Law, he knew the in's and out's of it, and he kept it. BUT . . .
All of these credentials, which he had worked his entire life to earn, and that set him apart as a Jew to be revered and honored, he counted as empty and lost. His past life as Saul where he persecuted the church was valued by how zealously he had worked to squash this "new" religion. He went overboard to prove his dedication. He was the equivalent of "working his way up the ladder" and was an over-achiever. He didn't just do things rightly, he did things perfectly! And all of that training and work and passion got him nowhere in the eyes of God.
I am a pastor's wife. I have been saved 42 years. I can go on and on, but just this much starts to make me sick and uncomfortable. Who do I think I am? I am nobody! The only One Who makes me worthy to be in God's presence is Jesus Christ my Savior. And we need to get a better grasp on that fact and be humbled by it. "There is none righteous, no not one!" Except through Christ. Keeping the Law so perfectly and with such vigor did nothing to help Paul be accepted in the eyes of God. It doesn't matter how many Bible verses I can quote, how perfectly my skirts are lengthened, how many casseroles I have made, how many specials I have sung, or diapers I have changed in the church nursery! I have nothing to brag about . . . except what Christ did on Calvary.
Are you like Jews of Paul's day judging your spiritual worth by the number of things you do? Or are you trusting in Christ and salvation through faith?
Friday, October 4, 2013
The Law is not Faith
Philippians 3 - - The Spiritual Mind or Things Can Rob Joy
Phil 3:2-7 "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
In these verses, Paul's warnings to the Philippian church are about some very interesting things that can rob joy and he uses some interesting words. Paul, who was a Jew, warns these Christians to beware of dogs. The Jews of his day referred to Gentiles as dogs in the most derogatory way. Think of Hitler referring to the Jews as dogs also. Paul has MY attention, but who exactly is Paul warning about here?
Judaizers taught that it was essential to be circumcised as a part of salvation. They were clinging to the ritualism of Judaism instead of making the shift to salvation and grace. Salvation plus anything is not pure salvation any more. If you have a glass of milk and you pour in some water, you no longer have milk or water! Paul was very serious about his warnings. He did not want the Philippian church to be swayed into diluting salvation by re-adding parts of the Old Testament Law to the finished work of atonement by Christ on the cross. He called these fellow Jews "dogs" because they were causing division and changing salvation. When he calls these Judaizers part of the "concision" he is actually calling them "mutilators." What they were teaching no longer has any bearing on our faith. They were giving people false confidence in their works.
We must remember who Paul was as we examine this teaching of leaving the Law and following grace. Do not forget that he was a living legend in his time. He was educated to the highest level available in Jewish Law. He had devoted his life to enforcing the traditions of Judaism. He was an amazing authority on what the Law said and how it was lived and he was an enforcer of that Law.
When Christ died on the cross and rose again the "church" was established and God's instructions were to stop the sacrifices and rituals that had been put in place for the Children of Israel. Christ had taught the apostles how they would live by a new perspective of faith. The saints of the Old Testament had been watching for Messiah to come, which is forward-facing. The Children of Israel had been given the Law to follow when they left Egypt and needed structure and rules to govern themselves. The Law brings a curse. The believer is delivered from that curse through Christ, Who was made a curse for us. The crucifixion brought Him under the curse of the Law as explained in Deuteronomy 21:23 "He that is hanged (on a tree) is accursed of God." When Christ paid the highest penalty possible in His death, He became the complete sacrifice. A lamb or bullock offered in sacrifice was a symbol of the person who had committed sin. When an actual, sinless human died in our place for our sin there is no higher fulfillment of the Law! His resurrection proved His power over death and testified to His deity.
Once the Law had been fulfilled like that, it no longer had any power or authority. Galatians 3:22-29 explains "But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. but before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
It is impossible for any of us to keep every single part of the Law. Galatians 3:10-11 says "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident for, The just shall live by faith."
It was hard for the Jews to accept this new backward-facing faith of trusting in the crucifixion and resurrection which were events of the past now. And Paul understood the appeal of hanging onto the traditions and rules that allowed these early Christians to measure their obedience. But of anyone, he was the one and only person whose resume, shall we say, qualified him to explain the restraints of the Law and the liberty of faith and grace.
His warning is relevant to today. We often find a measure of satisfaction in checking off our mental list of "Christian" things to do. We consider ourselves right with God if we are doing this and this and this. There are commandments that we are to follow but what makes us right with God is our relationship with Him. I am not happily married to my husband because I live in the same house and have children together or because I claim his name. I am a happily married wife because I love my husband and I make choices to honor and please him. We do things together that we both enjoy and we have the same purpose of serving our Lord. It's not a list of things I do, but a relationship that I choose and nurture. My faith is a choice that I make. I chose long ago to forsake trying to behave according to the Law, and to instead live a life that is in Christ and trusting His sacrificial death to pay for my sins. Trying to live my life by a physical standard will rob me of the joy of a real relationship with God.
Song:
Phil 3:2-7 "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
In these verses, Paul's warnings to the Philippian church are about some very interesting things that can rob joy and he uses some interesting words. Paul, who was a Jew, warns these Christians to beware of dogs. The Jews of his day referred to Gentiles as dogs in the most derogatory way. Think of Hitler referring to the Jews as dogs also. Paul has MY attention, but who exactly is Paul warning about here?
Judaizers taught that it was essential to be circumcised as a part of salvation. They were clinging to the ritualism of Judaism instead of making the shift to salvation and grace. Salvation plus anything is not pure salvation any more. If you have a glass of milk and you pour in some water, you no longer have milk or water! Paul was very serious about his warnings. He did not want the Philippian church to be swayed into diluting salvation by re-adding parts of the Old Testament Law to the finished work of atonement by Christ on the cross. He called these fellow Jews "dogs" because they were causing division and changing salvation. When he calls these Judaizers part of the "concision" he is actually calling them "mutilators." What they were teaching no longer has any bearing on our faith. They were giving people false confidence in their works.
We must remember who Paul was as we examine this teaching of leaving the Law and following grace. Do not forget that he was a living legend in his time. He was educated to the highest level available in Jewish Law. He had devoted his life to enforcing the traditions of Judaism. He was an amazing authority on what the Law said and how it was lived and he was an enforcer of that Law.
When Christ died on the cross and rose again the "church" was established and God's instructions were to stop the sacrifices and rituals that had been put in place for the Children of Israel. Christ had taught the apostles how they would live by a new perspective of faith. The saints of the Old Testament had been watching for Messiah to come, which is forward-facing. The Children of Israel had been given the Law to follow when they left Egypt and needed structure and rules to govern themselves. The Law brings a curse. The believer is delivered from that curse through Christ, Who was made a curse for us. The crucifixion brought Him under the curse of the Law as explained in Deuteronomy 21:23 "He that is hanged (on a tree) is accursed of God." When Christ paid the highest penalty possible in His death, He became the complete sacrifice. A lamb or bullock offered in sacrifice was a symbol of the person who had committed sin. When an actual, sinless human died in our place for our sin there is no higher fulfillment of the Law! His resurrection proved His power over death and testified to His deity.
Once the Law had been fulfilled like that, it no longer had any power or authority. Galatians 3:22-29 explains "But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. but before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
It is impossible for any of us to keep every single part of the Law. Galatians 3:10-11 says "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident for, The just shall live by faith."
It was hard for the Jews to accept this new backward-facing faith of trusting in the crucifixion and resurrection which were events of the past now. And Paul understood the appeal of hanging onto the traditions and rules that allowed these early Christians to measure their obedience. But of anyone, he was the one and only person whose resume, shall we say, qualified him to explain the restraints of the Law and the liberty of faith and grace.
His warning is relevant to today. We often find a measure of satisfaction in checking off our mental list of "Christian" things to do. We consider ourselves right with God if we are doing this and this and this. There are commandments that we are to follow but what makes us right with God is our relationship with Him. I am not happily married to my husband because I live in the same house and have children together or because I claim his name. I am a happily married wife because I love my husband and I make choices to honor and please him. We do things together that we both enjoy and we have the same purpose of serving our Lord. It's not a list of things I do, but a relationship that I choose and nurture. My faith is a choice that I make. I chose long ago to forsake trying to behave according to the Law, and to instead live a life that is in Christ and trusting His sacrificial death to pay for my sins. Trying to live my life by a physical standard will rob me of the joy of a real relationship with God.
Song:
Friday, September 13, 2013
I will tell you again . . . and again . . . and again
Philippians Chapter 3 - - THE SPIRITUAL MIND or THINGS ROB OUR JOY
"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe."
As we move into chapter 3 of Paul's letter, he gives them some basic reminders. We all need basic reminders from time to time. The first reminder Paul gives his fellow Christians is to "rejoice in the Lord." This world we live in is not so very different from the world Paul lived in when we are referring to the basics of life. People are just people . . . no matter when or where they live. Strip away the technology of today, set aside the modern conveniences and just compare apples to apples. People are the same. We all have the natural tendency to focus on ourselves. We look at every situation from the perspective of "how does this affect ME?" We are the center of our own little universe. Remember Lucifer the Angel of Light? He was all about his own agenda. When you sit back and really think about it, the people you know who are the most self-centered or self-focused are NOT the happiest people you know. They are always offended, always suspicious of the intentions of others, and most often just not happy.
Now think about the people you know who are the happiest or the most content. They are the people who are dedicated to serving others! The mom who is working to train her children is much happier than the mom who is always reacting to the bad behavior of her children. The volunteer who serves others but receives no paycheck is far happier than the person who is paid a very high wage but hates their job. When our focus is on the Lord Jesus Christ and we are doing things with His kingdom in mind, we will always be much more at peace and have much more genuine joy.
Because Paul's focus was on helping these Christians grow in the Lord, he did not even mind going over the same lessons again and again if that is what they needed. I remember when my kids were little and I was working and tired and stressed out with their natural behavior. I would become so frustrated and so impatient when I had to keep telling one of them to do the same thing again and again. "Sit down in the shopping cart. I said, 'Sit down.' I'm not telling you again. Sit down in the shopping cart. You better listen to me!" Yes, there was the concern for their safety, but when they didn't listen and obey me I became focused on the reactions of others around me. Were they judging me? Did they think I was a bad parent? Later on when I learned some better behaviors about training my children, I didn't lose my patience with them or my temper nearly so often. When I changed my focus to training their hearts I didn't mind telling them the same thing over and over until they mastered it. Paul is doing the same thing here. He is reminding them of some things he knows they know, but he is patient about it.
Rejoice in the Lord. Look at things from a new perspective! That person who cut me off in traffic . . . didn't just inconvenience me because I had to touch the brakes a little. Perhaps they are having a really rough day and just weren't paying attention. That person at the store who is pitching a blustery fit . . . just maybe they are scared and hurting and their behavior is their attempt to control at least one little situation in their day. When I stop filtering everything through the filter of "how does this affect me" and turn my thoughts around to "what does Christ think of this situation" MY reactions will be utterly and completely the opposite of what they were before!
There was a science focused TV show that our son loved to watch. One of the hosts of the show often said, "I reject your reality and substitute my own." Try that today in your own life. Take a deep breath and stop reacting to how people treat you. Look at them and their actions through the filter of "Jesus loves that person." It's pretty hard to be aggravated with someone when you realize their behavior is caused by self focused sin. It is far easier to be patient with someone when you remind yourself that Christ died on the cross for that crouchy bugger. Did you get a flat tire? Rejoice! Perhaps God wants you to cross paths with a certain person at the garage. Did someone give you a dirty look? Rejoice! You have an opportunity to witness to them through your reactions! Is your spouse or your child jumping on your very last nerve? Rejoice! God is trusting you to respond in a manner that points them back to God.
Paul didn't mind going back to the simple lessons and teaching them again, because his focus wasn't "Why can't they just learn what I've taught them a thousand times?" But his focus was "They are trying and I have another opportunity to guide them."
When I am looking at everything through a spiritual filter instead of a selfish filter, I can rejoice in anything. "Great peace have they that love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them" Psalm 119:165
"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe."
As we move into chapter 3 of Paul's letter, he gives them some basic reminders. We all need basic reminders from time to time. The first reminder Paul gives his fellow Christians is to "rejoice in the Lord." This world we live in is not so very different from the world Paul lived in when we are referring to the basics of life. People are just people . . . no matter when or where they live. Strip away the technology of today, set aside the modern conveniences and just compare apples to apples. People are the same. We all have the natural tendency to focus on ourselves. We look at every situation from the perspective of "how does this affect ME?" We are the center of our own little universe. Remember Lucifer the Angel of Light? He was all about his own agenda. When you sit back and really think about it, the people you know who are the most self-centered or self-focused are NOT the happiest people you know. They are always offended, always suspicious of the intentions of others, and most often just not happy.
Now think about the people you know who are the happiest or the most content. They are the people who are dedicated to serving others! The mom who is working to train her children is much happier than the mom who is always reacting to the bad behavior of her children. The volunteer who serves others but receives no paycheck is far happier than the person who is paid a very high wage but hates their job. When our focus is on the Lord Jesus Christ and we are doing things with His kingdom in mind, we will always be much more at peace and have much more genuine joy.
Because Paul's focus was on helping these Christians grow in the Lord, he did not even mind going over the same lessons again and again if that is what they needed. I remember when my kids were little and I was working and tired and stressed out with their natural behavior. I would become so frustrated and so impatient when I had to keep telling one of them to do the same thing again and again. "Sit down in the shopping cart. I said, 'Sit down.' I'm not telling you again. Sit down in the shopping cart. You better listen to me!" Yes, there was the concern for their safety, but when they didn't listen and obey me I became focused on the reactions of others around me. Were they judging me? Did they think I was a bad parent? Later on when I learned some better behaviors about training my children, I didn't lose my patience with them or my temper nearly so often. When I changed my focus to training their hearts I didn't mind telling them the same thing over and over until they mastered it. Paul is doing the same thing here. He is reminding them of some things he knows they know, but he is patient about it.
Rejoice in the Lord. Look at things from a new perspective! That person who cut me off in traffic . . . didn't just inconvenience me because I had to touch the brakes a little. Perhaps they are having a really rough day and just weren't paying attention. That person at the store who is pitching a blustery fit . . . just maybe they are scared and hurting and their behavior is their attempt to control at least one little situation in their day. When I stop filtering everything through the filter of "how does this affect me" and turn my thoughts around to "what does Christ think of this situation" MY reactions will be utterly and completely the opposite of what they were before!
There was a science focused TV show that our son loved to watch. One of the hosts of the show often said, "I reject your reality and substitute my own." Try that today in your own life. Take a deep breath and stop reacting to how people treat you. Look at them and their actions through the filter of "Jesus loves that person." It's pretty hard to be aggravated with someone when you realize their behavior is caused by self focused sin. It is far easier to be patient with someone when you remind yourself that Christ died on the cross for that crouchy bugger. Did you get a flat tire? Rejoice! Perhaps God wants you to cross paths with a certain person at the garage. Did someone give you a dirty look? Rejoice! You have an opportunity to witness to them through your reactions! Is your spouse or your child jumping on your very last nerve? Rejoice! God is trusting you to respond in a manner that points them back to God.
Paul didn't mind going back to the simple lessons and teaching them again, because his focus wasn't "Why can't they just learn what I've taught them a thousand times?" But his focus was "They are trying and I have another opportunity to guide them."
When I am looking at everything through a spiritual filter instead of a selfish filter, I can rejoice in anything. "Great peace have they that love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them" Psalm 119:165
Friday, September 6, 2013
Jesus -- Others -- and You
Philippians 2 -- THE SUBMISSIVE MIND - - or - - PEOPLE CAN ROB YOUR JOY
Phil 2:19 "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state."
We all know what a fast-paced world we live in. We have drive-thru everything including wedding chapels and funeral homes. Instant coffee, instant gravy, instant mashed potatoes. I can even send you a text message faster than I can call you! But during Paul's lifetime, it might have taken weeks or months for a letter to arrive. He had no instant messaging to keep track of his friends in Philippi. Just like us, he wondered and worried about those who were dear to his heart. Remember, Paul knew exactly how rough the Roman government could be on Christians. He wanted an account of how they were doing from someone who understood the perspective that mattered most to him. Timotheus, or Timothy, was the only person who could do this for him. Verse 20 mentions that there is no other person who will "naturally care for your state." Timothy obviously had a love for the Philippian people just like Paul.
Verse 21 "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." People in leadership can be insincere and go through the motions of taking care of someone without really caring for that person. It is sad when you can feel that fakeness or emptiness of someone's actions. Paul could see that some who said they were serving Christ were just going through the motions with the intention of earning brownie points, so to speak. Or sometimes people in charge just don't take the time to really get to know the person they are serving. Paul knew that others could go check on this precious church and they might ask "how are you doing?" and they might say "do you need anything" and those people would probably do a very good job of giving a report. But he wanted Timothy to go because he knew Timothy's heart and he knew Timothy would really look into people's eyes and take time to listen to them and Timothy would be able to come back and tell Paul how each individual was growing or struggling or praising God or pleading in prayer.
Verse 22 "But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel." Timothy had grown up with a sound Christian influence from his mother Lois and his grandmother Eunice. He had sat under Paul's teaching and served with Paul. The apostle Paul was not someone who strolled into a town, smiling and shaking hands just to deliver an eloquent speech and be on his way to the next place. He came to a town and stayed for a long time. He was in the trenches with people, getting to know them, praying with them, sitting with them in hard times, rejoicing with them and crying with them. This is the setting of Timothy's training. He was a spiritual son to Paul. It is a sweet picture to stop and think of the apostle Paul taking time with Timothy when they were alone to explain how to teach and how to minister to specific people. The "great and mighty" Paul was also a tender man who was sincerely concerned about people's hearts.
People who are not really genuine in their service to others can rob our joy. No one likes to be asked "how are you doing?" only to start answering and then realize that the one who asked is distracted and not really listening. That is such a hollow and disappointing feeling. We must remember not to be the person who robs someone else's joy because we aren't really paying attention.
Verse 23 "Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me." Paul intended to send Timothy to the church soon. But he wanted Timothy with him when he found out how his trial would end. Maybe that was for his own comfort or maybe it was for Timothy's sake. But Paul definitely had plans that Timothy would be with this church soon. And in verse 24 he says "But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly." He cared about these dear folks and wanted to be with them himself. He also had confidence enough in the Lord to make plans beyond his current circumstances if the Lord willed!
Verses 25-26 introduce us to Epaphroditus. He was a brother in Christ who had accompanied Paul and laboured with him. Notice that when Paul talks about Epaphroditus he describes him as a fellow soldier. They were not just visiting people to shake hands and smile. The picture of a soldier for me is quite clear. Epaphroditus had given up everything back home in Philippi and was sacrificially working for the gospel. He wasn't just along with Paul to see the show, he was right in there working and serving and ministering to Paul's wants.
Verses 26-27 "For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow up upon sorrow." Epaphroditus had quite literally worked himself almost to death. He had put the needs of Paul and others ahead of his own basic needs even. And he felt bad that the church back home had heard about his illness and been worried about him. He didn't want the attention on him especially for being sick. And Paul emphasizes that Epaphroditus really really was sick and nearly died. Paul felt that God had mercy and spared Epaphroditus and that he, Paul, had benefited from this also. Paul surely loved and mentored Epaphroditus as they worked so hard together. Those who served so faithfully with Paul were his family. It would have been such sorrow for Paul if Epaphroditus had died that Paul wasn't sure he could deal with his imprisonment and that sorrow as well from a human standpoint. As a church we are a family also and should be able to picture this emotion from the apostle.
Verses 28-30 "I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me." Paul sent Epaphroditus home with this letter. He told the people in Philippi to remember how sick Epaphroditus was and how he had nearly worked himself to death. For the work of the gospel he had set aside caring about himself. He had sacrificially served Paul on behalf of the church at Philippi. The whole church couldn't go with Paul. There were others in their town who needed to see the church thriving and others needed to be there to do the work of the gospel in a church already established. The day to day living of our lives is vital to the spread of the gospel too! The mom who is raising little ones, the young people who are being rooted and grounded in the gospel, the older ones who are faithful examples to their families and anyone watching are ALL vital to the work of the ministry. Every one of us has a place to fill in our church and its ministry of the gospel. If one part of your body is getting sickly it affects the whole. If a part is amputated there is a long recovery and adjustment period. We must all be certain that we know our part and fulfill our part faithfully or we are certainly affecting the health of the whole body. People can rob our joy with their actions, intentions, and words. We must be certain that we are not the people robbing someone else's joy.
Song: "Jesus and Others and You"
Phil 2:19 "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state."
We all know what a fast-paced world we live in. We have drive-thru everything including wedding chapels and funeral homes. Instant coffee, instant gravy, instant mashed potatoes. I can even send you a text message faster than I can call you! But during Paul's lifetime, it might have taken weeks or months for a letter to arrive. He had no instant messaging to keep track of his friends in Philippi. Just like us, he wondered and worried about those who were dear to his heart. Remember, Paul knew exactly how rough the Roman government could be on Christians. He wanted an account of how they were doing from someone who understood the perspective that mattered most to him. Timotheus, or Timothy, was the only person who could do this for him. Verse 20 mentions that there is no other person who will "naturally care for your state." Timothy obviously had a love for the Philippian people just like Paul.
Verse 21 "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." People in leadership can be insincere and go through the motions of taking care of someone without really caring for that person. It is sad when you can feel that fakeness or emptiness of someone's actions. Paul could see that some who said they were serving Christ were just going through the motions with the intention of earning brownie points, so to speak. Or sometimes people in charge just don't take the time to really get to know the person they are serving. Paul knew that others could go check on this precious church and they might ask "how are you doing?" and they might say "do you need anything" and those people would probably do a very good job of giving a report. But he wanted Timothy to go because he knew Timothy's heart and he knew Timothy would really look into people's eyes and take time to listen to them and Timothy would be able to come back and tell Paul how each individual was growing or struggling or praising God or pleading in prayer.
Verse 22 "But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel." Timothy had grown up with a sound Christian influence from his mother Lois and his grandmother Eunice. He had sat under Paul's teaching and served with Paul. The apostle Paul was not someone who strolled into a town, smiling and shaking hands just to deliver an eloquent speech and be on his way to the next place. He came to a town and stayed for a long time. He was in the trenches with people, getting to know them, praying with them, sitting with them in hard times, rejoicing with them and crying with them. This is the setting of Timothy's training. He was a spiritual son to Paul. It is a sweet picture to stop and think of the apostle Paul taking time with Timothy when they were alone to explain how to teach and how to minister to specific people. The "great and mighty" Paul was also a tender man who was sincerely concerned about people's hearts.
People who are not really genuine in their service to others can rob our joy. No one likes to be asked "how are you doing?" only to start answering and then realize that the one who asked is distracted and not really listening. That is such a hollow and disappointing feeling. We must remember not to be the person who robs someone else's joy because we aren't really paying attention.
Verse 23 "Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me." Paul intended to send Timothy to the church soon. But he wanted Timothy with him when he found out how his trial would end. Maybe that was for his own comfort or maybe it was for Timothy's sake. But Paul definitely had plans that Timothy would be with this church soon. And in verse 24 he says "But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly." He cared about these dear folks and wanted to be with them himself. He also had confidence enough in the Lord to make plans beyond his current circumstances if the Lord willed!
Verses 25-26 introduce us to Epaphroditus. He was a brother in Christ who had accompanied Paul and laboured with him. Notice that when Paul talks about Epaphroditus he describes him as a fellow soldier. They were not just visiting people to shake hands and smile. The picture of a soldier for me is quite clear. Epaphroditus had given up everything back home in Philippi and was sacrificially working for the gospel. He wasn't just along with Paul to see the show, he was right in there working and serving and ministering to Paul's wants.
Verses 26-27 "For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow up upon sorrow." Epaphroditus had quite literally worked himself almost to death. He had put the needs of Paul and others ahead of his own basic needs even. And he felt bad that the church back home had heard about his illness and been worried about him. He didn't want the attention on him especially for being sick. And Paul emphasizes that Epaphroditus really really was sick and nearly died. Paul felt that God had mercy and spared Epaphroditus and that he, Paul, had benefited from this also. Paul surely loved and mentored Epaphroditus as they worked so hard together. Those who served so faithfully with Paul were his family. It would have been such sorrow for Paul if Epaphroditus had died that Paul wasn't sure he could deal with his imprisonment and that sorrow as well from a human standpoint. As a church we are a family also and should be able to picture this emotion from the apostle.
Verses 28-30 "I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me." Paul sent Epaphroditus home with this letter. He told the people in Philippi to remember how sick Epaphroditus was and how he had nearly worked himself to death. For the work of the gospel he had set aside caring about himself. He had sacrificially served Paul on behalf of the church at Philippi. The whole church couldn't go with Paul. There were others in their town who needed to see the church thriving and others needed to be there to do the work of the gospel in a church already established. The day to day living of our lives is vital to the spread of the gospel too! The mom who is raising little ones, the young people who are being rooted and grounded in the gospel, the older ones who are faithful examples to their families and anyone watching are ALL vital to the work of the ministry. Every one of us has a place to fill in our church and its ministry of the gospel. If one part of your body is getting sickly it affects the whole. If a part is amputated there is a long recovery and adjustment period. We must all be certain that we know our part and fulfill our part faithfully or we are certainly affecting the health of the whole body. People can rob our joy with their actions, intentions, and words. We must be certain that we are not the people robbing someone else's joy.
Song: "Jesus and Others and You"
Friday, August 30, 2013
It's not just the attitude, it's the actions . . .
Philippians 2 - - THE SUBMISSIVE MIND or PEOPLE ROB OUR JOY
Philippians 2:12-13
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
Why, yes, I did just change the order of the words in the title. Just as we can go through the motions of serving God and loving others without really feeling submissive to His will in our hearts, we can have all the right attitudes but never follow through with the right actions.
The word that we are using to describe our mind for this chapter is the word submissive. It's one of the most misused and misunderstood words in Christian circles today. Especially when it is applied to wives. I personally lost all fear and resentment toward this word years ago! Submission can be defined as "surrendering to the authority of another." It helps me to think of the chain of command in the military. The lowly Private must surrender to the authority of the Sergeant. It doesn't mean that he cannot have a personality or thoughts of his own. It means that when the Sergeant comes around and gives orders, the Private is to put aside his personal agenda and obey the one in authority. Remember Gomer Pyle? That poor guy had the hardest time learning to submit to the authority of Sergeant Carter. Now, the Sarge was a bit blustery and pushy for the sake of TV. But he also had a commanding officer and when HE showed up the Sarge had to surrender his ideas and plans to the authority that was over him.
I have thoughts and plans and dreams and ideas and schemes and agendas. But I also have learned to submit to the authority of my husband in our home. When Pastor Mark decides that something needs to be a certain way, he is acting within his authority. When he is submitting to the authority of His Heavenly Father, he is following the the command of His General. It is actually quite freeing to think that someone else is responsible. God designed it this way! Now, each person must be squarely living in the right role for it all to work the way God designed, too. When my heart is right with God and I surrender to the authority of my husband, and when he is right with God and surrendering to the authority of His Heavenly Father, it just makes things go so much smoother. When Private First Class Gomer Pyle thought he had a better plan and sidestepped his orders there was always a mess. When Sergeant Carter understood his orders and clearly communicated the orders to the Private and the Private surrendered to the authority, things went so much better. And Gomer Pyle would be shocked and amazed at the end result!
The same is true in our lives. Paul says that his beloved brethren have always obeyed. He even gets quite specific and says "not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence." When we raise our children and teach them how to behave themselves, we are giving them a set of rules or guidelines to govern their actions. Pretty soon they can get it right and obey us when we are around. It is harder for them to make the right choices when they are out of earshot or out of the line of vision. More maturity and a deeper understanding of their parents' instructions eventually leads to them being able to obey the rules of their home even if mommy and daddy aren't standing right there watching them.
The end of verse 12 uses the phrase "work out your own salvation." It means to prove, to continue to prove or to develop. When we are born again, we are like babies. We have to learn to surrender and submit to the instructions of our Father just like an earthly child has to learn to obey their parents. The old saying is "the proof is in the pudding." I can tell you that I am a Christian, but is there any proof in my life? I can tell you I love Pastor Mark, but do my actions reflect that? I can say I want to spread the gospel but what am I showing in my life that makes it such "good news"? It is not enough to have the right heart attitude about things. We must have actions to back up our words. If my heart is not submissive to my husband, my actions when he is standing beside me and when he is absent will not be the same. These Christians in Philippi were known for having the actions and lifestyle that backed up what they said they stood for when Paul was with them and when he was locked away in a dungeon and couldn't be there to watch over them. They had the maturity to surrender to the ultimate plan.
BECAUSE . . . it is actually God's plan to begin with. It is GOD Who works in us to have the right attitude and the right actions. Both are necessary to fulfill His good pleasure. I can talk about love love love all day long, but if my actions don't carry the same message, you won't be listening to me for very long. Christ could wash the disciples feet and even surrender to death on the cross, but His heart had to be submitted to the Father and the Father's will before it had any meaning.
"Be careful how you behave . . . your life may be the only Bible some people read." We must be submissive to God and those He puts in the line of authority in our lives. We must obey at all times. God wants more than just my good deeds. He wants my heart attitude. God wants more than just my heart. He wants my day to day actions. If my mind is not submissive to the Father, I can be the very person who robs my own joy.
Song: Oh, Be Careful Little Hands What You Do"
Friday, August 16, 2013
It's not just the actions, it's the attitude
Philippians 2 - - THE SUBMISSIVE MIND or PEOPLE ROB OUR JOY
vs 1 - 2
"If there be therefor any consolation in Christ . . .
if any fellowship of the Spirit . . .
if any bowels and mercies . . .
{then} Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
The Bible is full of if/then statements. God lets us know exactly what the conditions of certain situations will be. IF you want this . . . THEN you must do that. IF you do this . . . THEN you can count on this outcome.
Paul has been instructing us to keep our eyes off of the circumstances around us because that can rob our joy. Now he moves on to say "if there is any support found in Christ . . . " IF I take my eyes off of my circumstances and keep them on Christ, THEN I have Him supporting me and I will be strengthened. IF my circumstances are hard but I keep my eyes on Christ, THEN I will have the comfort of His love. IF there is any fellowship or communication between my heart and the Holy Spirit Who is God living in me, THEN I am never standing alone. IF there is any affection and sympathy available to soothe me, THEN I will not be cast down.
There is so much healing and comfort available to us through the Holy Spirit. He is God and He lives in me. The description of God the Father is often that He is a holy judge that guides us to do right and punishes when we do wrong. The description of Christ is often that He was the embodiment of God Who gave us something tangible to see and touch and help us see God's personal love to us. The Holy Spirit is the part of God that lives deep in our hearts and comforts those deep hurts and loneliness that no one else can soothe. If we need to feel support and affection and healing, we must turn to Him Who is so close to us that He is within us.
Then Paul says that IF we seek all these positive things to buoy us up THEN we will complete his joy. Sitting in prison, waiting for a probable death sentence, Paul says that the one thing that could "top off" his joy is for this church to depend on Christ for their support and affection. He further explains that to have this kind of joy we must all have the same love, have the same ambition, and be working for the same goal. The gospel cannot be effectively shared by Christians who are fighting amongst themselves or striving for personal attention or reward.
Verses 3 and 4 develop this a little further. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory . . . " If we are competing for the approval of man in our service or constantly trying to outdo someone else, we are not going to have the joy of those who have their eyes on Christ. "Let each esteem others better than themselves." There were obviously some very petty quarrels going on in this church. When we focus on ourselves and what we think should be happening, we obviously shift our focus away from the gospel. Humans cannot truly focus on more than one thing at a time. Things can be going on all around us that we are aware of, but we can only focus on one thing. If I were to focus on who got the most or the biggest hugs from others as we come together, I am NOT focused on the gospel or on ministering to my fellow Christians. But if I set aside my petty personal "feelings" I will be far more concerned about those around me and I will be able to minister to them more effectively and much more genuinely.
So far this has been an conversational letter from Paul to his dear friends. He is speaking from his heart and having a talk with them. Verses 5-11 have a very different style. Paul here encapsulates the humanity/deity of Christ. Think about Christ the Son of God standing at the throne of Heaven. He is holy and regal. The angels adore and worship Him. They are not horsing around when they are in His presence, so to speak. They are reverent and willing to do anything He might ask of them. He is "high and lifted up."
But then think of him as a human who had dusty smelly feet and needed a bath. Think of him needing to blow His nose because of the dusty roads. Think of Him getting down on His hands and knees with a bowl of water and some rags to wash the dirty smelly feet of His disciples . . . all of whom had their own faults and failures. The job of washing the feet of guests was the job of the lowest servant in the household. Not the fine butler who stood nearby and waited on the table making mealtime effortless. Not the housemaid who polished the fine vessels of the home which brought compliments from guests. Not the cook who could impress everyone with their hard work and produce succulent dishes that sustained weary bodies or exotic dainties that impressed the eyes and the palette. No, the job of washing the dusty stinky feet of everyone else in the house and any guest who came to the home was reserved for the lowest of the servants. As people entered the home they would be talking and visiting. They would take off their sandals at the door. They would sit down and this servant was expected to come in and wash their feet without calling attention to themselves, without joining in on any conversation going on, without making faces or turning up their nose. They were to do their job in such a way that they were not even noticed and it was just taken for granted that the job was done.
Jesus Christ, the holy Prince of Heaven, not only came to earth and was limited by a body of flesh and blood, but He also went to the farthest extreme of humbleness and service that there was in His day. He had these disciples with Him for His entire ministry. He knew them inside and out as a human and as God. He had heard their grumbling out loud and in their hearts. He had settled arguments among them about who would be sitting on His right hand in Heaven. He knew that one of them would betray Him and the others would desert Him during the hours His earthly heart would need them most. And yet He washed their stinky smelly feet. What love. What peace. Even Christ Himself did not let the petty actions of those around Him shift His focus away from God's plan. How do you think those guys felt as they sat and realized that Christ was going to make His way around the whole room and wash each of their feet instead of having the servant do it. We can read the phrase "Jesus washed their feet" in about one second. But slow down and let your imagination really see how long this would take. It took time and love and humility.
What is God speaking to your heart about right now? Is there someone you are jealous of? Is there someone you are silently competing with? Are you comparing and trying to measure things that are of no real importance? You will not have joy if you are focused on the people around you. We must have a submissive heart that will do whatever God tells us to do, even if no one ever notices or cares. There is joy in serving Jesus!
SONG: There is Joy In Serving Jesus
vs 1 - 2
"If there be therefor any consolation in Christ . . .
if any fellowship of the Spirit . . .
if any bowels and mercies . . .
{then} Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
The Bible is full of if/then statements. God lets us know exactly what the conditions of certain situations will be. IF you want this . . . THEN you must do that. IF you do this . . . THEN you can count on this outcome.
Paul has been instructing us to keep our eyes off of the circumstances around us because that can rob our joy. Now he moves on to say "if there is any support found in Christ . . . " IF I take my eyes off of my circumstances and keep them on Christ, THEN I have Him supporting me and I will be strengthened. IF my circumstances are hard but I keep my eyes on Christ, THEN I will have the comfort of His love. IF there is any fellowship or communication between my heart and the Holy Spirit Who is God living in me, THEN I am never standing alone. IF there is any affection and sympathy available to soothe me, THEN I will not be cast down.
There is so much healing and comfort available to us through the Holy Spirit. He is God and He lives in me. The description of God the Father is often that He is a holy judge that guides us to do right and punishes when we do wrong. The description of Christ is often that He was the embodiment of God Who gave us something tangible to see and touch and help us see God's personal love to us. The Holy Spirit is the part of God that lives deep in our hearts and comforts those deep hurts and loneliness that no one else can soothe. If we need to feel support and affection and healing, we must turn to Him Who is so close to us that He is within us.
Then Paul says that IF we seek all these positive things to buoy us up THEN we will complete his joy. Sitting in prison, waiting for a probable death sentence, Paul says that the one thing that could "top off" his joy is for this church to depend on Christ for their support and affection. He further explains that to have this kind of joy we must all have the same love, have the same ambition, and be working for the same goal. The gospel cannot be effectively shared by Christians who are fighting amongst themselves or striving for personal attention or reward.
Verses 3 and 4 develop this a little further. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory . . . " If we are competing for the approval of man in our service or constantly trying to outdo someone else, we are not going to have the joy of those who have their eyes on Christ. "Let each esteem others better than themselves." There were obviously some very petty quarrels going on in this church. When we focus on ourselves and what we think should be happening, we obviously shift our focus away from the gospel. Humans cannot truly focus on more than one thing at a time. Things can be going on all around us that we are aware of, but we can only focus on one thing. If I were to focus on who got the most or the biggest hugs from others as we come together, I am NOT focused on the gospel or on ministering to my fellow Christians. But if I set aside my petty personal "feelings" I will be far more concerned about those around me and I will be able to minister to them more effectively and much more genuinely.
So far this has been an conversational letter from Paul to his dear friends. He is speaking from his heart and having a talk with them. Verses 5-11 have a very different style. Paul here encapsulates the humanity/deity of Christ. Think about Christ the Son of God standing at the throne of Heaven. He is holy and regal. The angels adore and worship Him. They are not horsing around when they are in His presence, so to speak. They are reverent and willing to do anything He might ask of them. He is "high and lifted up."
But then think of him as a human who had dusty smelly feet and needed a bath. Think of him needing to blow His nose because of the dusty roads. Think of Him getting down on His hands and knees with a bowl of water and some rags to wash the dirty smelly feet of His disciples . . . all of whom had their own faults and failures. The job of washing the feet of guests was the job of the lowest servant in the household. Not the fine butler who stood nearby and waited on the table making mealtime effortless. Not the housemaid who polished the fine vessels of the home which brought compliments from guests. Not the cook who could impress everyone with their hard work and produce succulent dishes that sustained weary bodies or exotic dainties that impressed the eyes and the palette. No, the job of washing the dusty stinky feet of everyone else in the house and any guest who came to the home was reserved for the lowest of the servants. As people entered the home they would be talking and visiting. They would take off their sandals at the door. They would sit down and this servant was expected to come in and wash their feet without calling attention to themselves, without joining in on any conversation going on, without making faces or turning up their nose. They were to do their job in such a way that they were not even noticed and it was just taken for granted that the job was done.
Jesus Christ, the holy Prince of Heaven, not only came to earth and was limited by a body of flesh and blood, but He also went to the farthest extreme of humbleness and service that there was in His day. He had these disciples with Him for His entire ministry. He knew them inside and out as a human and as God. He had heard their grumbling out loud and in their hearts. He had settled arguments among them about who would be sitting on His right hand in Heaven. He knew that one of them would betray Him and the others would desert Him during the hours His earthly heart would need them most. And yet He washed their stinky smelly feet. What love. What peace. Even Christ Himself did not let the petty actions of those around Him shift His focus away from God's plan. How do you think those guys felt as they sat and realized that Christ was going to make His way around the whole room and wash each of their feet instead of having the servant do it. We can read the phrase "Jesus washed their feet" in about one second. But slow down and let your imagination really see how long this would take. It took time and love and humility.
What is God speaking to your heart about right now? Is there someone you are jealous of? Is there someone you are silently competing with? Are you comparing and trying to measure things that are of no real importance? You will not have joy if you are focused on the people around you. We must have a submissive heart that will do whatever God tells us to do, even if no one ever notices or cares. There is joy in serving Jesus!
SONG: There is Joy In Serving Jesus
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