What do you have confidence in?
As Americans, this passage in Philippians can be challenging to fully embrace. Think about what Paul says Philippians 3:4-6.
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
Paul talks about the confidence he has “in the flesh.” His bloodline. His nationality. His position. According to all of these things, Paul has the “right” to place a lot of confidence in himself.
This sounds a lot like the American attitude of self-reliance and individualism. We place a lot of pride in our intelligence, our athletic ability, our ability to perform, and a variety of other talents and gifts. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying and embracing the talents God has given us, but we have to be careful not to make them the place where we find our confidence.
After all the things that Paul listed that he could have confidence in, he comes back to this…
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Paul’s confidence is not in those other things that he had trusted in for much of his earlier life. Rather, he considers them garbage. The word that the NIV translates “garbage” is actually the Greek word Skuvbalon (skuvbalon), a word more accurately translated “dung.” What Paul is really saying is that all those things that Paul used to put his confidence in have been (to use a milder, modern metaphor) flushed down the toilet.
As Paul challenges us to consider where we place our confidence, he tells us that the things of the flesh are the same as what we leave in our toilet. I know it’s a pretty gross visual, but I think it really tells us how strongly Paul feels about where we place our confidence.
shine!
Jason
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Christ's light
Have you every heard the expression that when someone lights up a room when they walk in? The idea is that simply by being present, someone can change the atmosphere and attitude among a gathering of people.
In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul goes from the passage describing Christ’s mindset (Philippians 2:1-11) to a call for us to shine our light in the world…
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Paul says that we should act in order to fulfill God’s good purpose. What is that purpose? To bring about the salvation of all Creation. God is working in the world to renew and restore the world. This is what the Kingdom of God is all about, restoring God’s reign in the world.
You and I are invited to be a part of something much bigger than any of us individually. We are called to shine like stars in a world often engulfed by darkness. That means we have to live differently.
And as Paul reminds us, we will do that when we firmly hold to the word of life. Christ is not just an example, he is an anchor. He is the one that taught us how to live through his words and his behavior.
So often, in the middle of a tragedy or crisis I hear people ask, “Where is God?” While that is a valid question, often the answer can be found in you or me.
Darkness is not the presence of anything. It is the absence of light. When you and I bring light into the midst of darkness, God will be there. Darkness will vanish when light walks into the room.
The next time you think, “Where is God?” You should look into the mirror and ask God how to help you shine. It is in that moment that you can be the answer to that question, and in a small but significant way, bring about God’s ongoing work or salvation in the world.
shine!
Jason
In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul goes from the passage describing Christ’s mindset (Philippians 2:1-11) to a call for us to shine our light in the world…
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Paul says that we should act in order to fulfill God’s good purpose. What is that purpose? To bring about the salvation of all Creation. God is working in the world to renew and restore the world. This is what the Kingdom of God is all about, restoring God’s reign in the world.
You and I are invited to be a part of something much bigger than any of us individually. We are called to shine like stars in a world often engulfed by darkness. That means we have to live differently.
And as Paul reminds us, we will do that when we firmly hold to the word of life. Christ is not just an example, he is an anchor. He is the one that taught us how to live through his words and his behavior.
So often, in the middle of a tragedy or crisis I hear people ask, “Where is God?” While that is a valid question, often the answer can be found in you or me.
Darkness is not the presence of anything. It is the absence of light. When you and I bring light into the midst of darkness, God will be there. Darkness will vanish when light walks into the room.
The next time you think, “Where is God?” You should look into the mirror and ask God how to help you shine. It is in that moment that you can be the answer to that question, and in a small but significant way, bring about God’s ongoing work or salvation in the world.
shine!
Jason
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Christ's humility
If we are Christians, it means we are Christ followers. Our purpose is not to agree to a set of rules or regulations. Rather, it is to imitate a person, the person of Jesus Christ. In Philippians 2:1-11, Paul offers one of the best summarizes of who Christ is and what it looks like when Christians seek to follow him…
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in 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 of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Such simple and plain words. So easy to understand. So difficult to live. Our culture often demands that we live in a way that is contrary to the one described in the passage above. Rather than making ourselves nothing, we are told that we are the center of the universe. Rather than humbling ourselves, we are taught that pride is an essential virtue. Rather than becoming obedient, we see all around that one of the highest values is to be your own person.
While the things I mentioned above are not always bad, allowing them to dominate our personality makes it nearly impossible to follow Jesus. The places Jesus leads us to demand sacrifice, humility, and obedience. Without that mindset that Paul describes, we will find it very hard to live up to the calling we have received. But, when we live like the people Paul describes in the passage above, we can learn what it means to truly follow Jesus wherever he leads us.
shine!
Jason
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in 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 of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Such simple and plain words. So easy to understand. So difficult to live. Our culture often demands that we live in a way that is contrary to the one described in the passage above. Rather than making ourselves nothing, we are told that we are the center of the universe. Rather than humbling ourselves, we are taught that pride is an essential virtue. Rather than becoming obedient, we see all around that one of the highest values is to be your own person.
While the things I mentioned above are not always bad, allowing them to dominate our personality makes it nearly impossible to follow Jesus. The places Jesus leads us to demand sacrifice, humility, and obedience. Without that mindset that Paul describes, we will find it very hard to live up to the calling we have received. But, when we live like the people Paul describes in the passage above, we can learn what it means to truly follow Jesus wherever he leads us.
shine!
Jason
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Christ's calling
Christ calls us to follow him, regardless of the situation. As we read Paul’s words in Philippians 1:12-30, we find a man who is under house arrest, but still living in a way that he shares the gospel with those around him.
Paul writes the following…
Whatever 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 the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without 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. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:27-30)
These are both challenging and encouraging words. Regardless of what happens to you, live your life in such a way that the gospel, the announcement of the Kingdom of God, pours forth from your life through your words and actions.
This will not be easy. As Paul says, we don’t just believe in Christ we suffer for him. When we live our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, there will be challenging times before us. When you stand against the powers of this world, they will fight back.
This does not mean every moment of your life will involve suffering or that it will always be difficult. However, we are naïve if we believe that life will be easy if we follow Jesus.
There are times when people abandon their faith because things get difficult. Whether a job loss, a death, divorce, or a variety of other challenges, these kinds of events can bring us to a place where we question God and what we believe.
There is nothing wrong with the doubt, but it is what we do with the doubt and difficulty that makes all the difference. It is in these moments that we must remember that we are not called to a comfortable life; we are called to a life of sacrifice. It is in those moments that we must remember that we have been called to serve a God who sacrificed.
Christ lived in a manner worthy of the gospel and he was killed for it. Should we expect any different? This doesn’t mean that by living for Christ we will be killed. But it does mean that following Christ will often bring us to places we never expected and challenges we never anticipated. And it is in those moments that our witness can be the most powerful, if we are willing to follow the One who goes before us.
shine!
Jason
Paul writes the following…
Whatever 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 the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without 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. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:27-30)
These are both challenging and encouraging words. Regardless of what happens to you, live your life in such a way that the gospel, the announcement of the Kingdom of God, pours forth from your life through your words and actions.
This will not be easy. As Paul says, we don’t just believe in Christ we suffer for him. When we live our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, there will be challenging times before us. When you stand against the powers of this world, they will fight back.
This does not mean every moment of your life will involve suffering or that it will always be difficult. However, we are naïve if we believe that life will be easy if we follow Jesus.
There are times when people abandon their faith because things get difficult. Whether a job loss, a death, divorce, or a variety of other challenges, these kinds of events can bring us to a place where we question God and what we believe.
There is nothing wrong with the doubt, but it is what we do with the doubt and difficulty that makes all the difference. It is in these moments that we must remember that we are not called to a comfortable life; we are called to a life of sacrifice. It is in those moments that we must remember that we have been called to serve a God who sacrificed.
Christ lived in a manner worthy of the gospel and he was killed for it. Should we expect any different? This doesn’t mean that by living for Christ we will be killed. But it does mean that following Christ will often bring us to places we never expected and challenges we never anticipated. And it is in those moments that our witness can be the most powerful, if we are willing to follow the One who goes before us.
shine!
Jason
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