Tag: Philippians 1-4
The humility of Christ!
Scripture reading for December 2nd: Philippians 1-4
Have you ever needed an “attitude adjustment”! The Word of God provides help for us when our attitudes take us down. Christ modeled the kind of attitude that pleased God and Paul reminded the Philippians of His example.
Paul prayed for those in the church at Philippi. There were saints, overseers, and deacons that he had helped to set in place. He was confident that God would complete the work He had begun in each of them. He prayed that the love of these believers would abound more and more. (Philippians 1:6-11) He wanted them to be filled with the fruits of righteousness so that the Lord would receive glory!
These saints and leaders were encouraged by Paul to be united in love and purpose. (Philippians 2:2-3) Unity comes from fellowship with the Holy Spirit and a humble spirit towards God and each other. We must learn to bear with one another and try and look out for others rather than focusing on ourselves. The best example of this is Jesus Christ.
Jesus had a perfect attitude. He was God and owner and ruler of the universe, but He humbled Himself and took on human likeness through the incarnation. He willingly laid down all the power and privilege of royalty to be obedient to the Father. He obeyed the Father by laying down His life on the cross, enduring the death of the lowest criminal. Because of His obedience, God exalted Him to the highest place. His Name, Jesus Christ, is the highest name in the universe! Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord! Those who bow their knees now and confess now will enjoy eternity with Him!
We are working out our salvation while God is at work in us. We obey Him without grumbling or complaining, rejoicing in the task of sharing the Word of Christ. (Philippians 4:4) We pray about everything and enjoy the peace of Christ! (Philippians 4:6-7) We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us! (Philippians 4:13) We know that our God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19) What an attitude of victory and joy when we imitate Christ!
Heavenly Citizenship
Scripture reading for December 3rd: Philippians 1-4
Paul is in prison for preaching the Gospel. He writes to the church in Philippi, thanking God for them and encouraging them! Paul is confident that the God who began a good work in them will see it through to the day of Christ’s return. (Philippians 1:6) Paul prayed for these believers to grow in love for God as they grew in personal knowledge and insight of what was pleasing to God. Paul prayed that they would be found blameless and pure when Christ appeared. (Philippians 1:9-11)
Paul’s view of life was different after his conversion experience. He counted all of his old life as rubbish for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:7-14) Paul’s sole desire was to be found in Christ and be clothed with Christ’s righteousness which came by faith, not by keeping the law. He wanted to attain to the resurrection of the dead and pressed on to take hold of eternal life by obeying Christ. He focused on what was ahead, making it his goal to win the prize. He knew that he was not there yet, but must keep on moving toward Christ.
Paul explained this in yet another way. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20-21) Although Paul had appealed to Rome because of Roman citizenship, he viewed heaven as his true home now. Citizens have rights and privileges, as well as responsibilities. A responsibility of a citizen of Heaven is to be watching for his heavenly King to come! When He comes, there will be an instant transformation of our lowly bodies! We will put off this earthly body and receive a glorious body, like our Savior’s ! We will also receive rewards for living a life of faith.
Christ had the power to lay His life down and the power to take it back up again. He rose again, defeating death! In His victory, we are promised victory! He has given us His promise and power in the person of the Holy Spirit living in us. He enables us to focus on the goal and prize–eternity in Christ’s heavenly presence! Lift up your head, Redemption is drawing near!
Imitating Christ’s Attitude
Scripture reading for December 2nd: Philippians 1-4
I can wake up on the wrong side of the bed! Sometimes my attitude stinks! I am occasionally withdrawn, grumpy, and irritable. I can be centered on myself and what I want that day. I am in need of an “attitude adjustment”! The Word of God provides that for us. As we take it into our minds and hearts, it can do surgery on us. (Hebrews 4:12) It is Spirit and life to us from the heart of God. (John 6:63) Jesus Christ, Himself, modeled for us the kind of attitude that would please God. We read about it today in Paul’s letter to the Philippians!
Paul prayed a lot for those in Philippi. There was a church there with saints, overseers, and deacons that he had helped to set in place. He was confident that God would complete the work He had begun in each of them that had believed. He prayed that the love of these believers would abound more and more. (Philippians 1:6-11) He wanted them to be filled with the fruits of righteousness so that the Lord would receive glory!
These saints and leaders were encouraged by Paul to be united in love and purpose. (Philippians 2:2-3) Unity comes from fellowship with the Holy Spirit and a humble spirit towards God and each other. We must learn to bear with one another and try and look out for others rather than focusing on ourselves. The best example of this is Jesus Christ.
Jesus had a perfect attitude. He was God and owner and ruler of the universe, but He humbled Himself and took on human likeness through the incarnation. He willingly laid down all the power and privilege of royalty to be obedient to the Father. He even obeyed the Father by laying down His life on the cross, enduring the death of the lowest criminal. Because of His obedience, God exalted Him to the highest place of all after the resurrection. His Name, Jesus Christ, is the highest name in the universe! Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord! Those who bow their knees now and confess now will enjoy eternity with Him!
We are working out our salvation while God is at work in us. We humbly obey Him and do all we do without grumbling or complaining. We know that God has given us the task of sharing the Word of life in Christ. Our reward is sure! We rejoice always! (Philippians 4:4) We pray about everything and enjoy the peace of Christ! (Philippians 4:6-7) We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us! (Philippians 4:13) We know that our God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19) What an attitude of victory and joy when we imitate Christ!