Philippians 3:1-11
This is an instance where the translators' sensibilities get in the way of what Paul was actually saying (although, to translate directly would have probably distracted from the overall message because people would have been shocked and/or offended - "good Christians don't say those words!).
So, trying not to get distracted by Paul's choice of words, what is the point? Paul starts by telling the congregation to rejoice in the Lord (one of the major themes of the letter - which he picks up on in 4:4) but then gets distracted with amazing anger and almost bitterness towards those legalistic Christians who are trying to pervert the message of Christ. Paul's point here is that obedience and service is the new circumcision. Then he lays out his own credentials as a legalist which are great, but, when compared to the greatness of knowing Christ are shit (or, to be nice liek the NIV, "garbage"). The point: nothing even comes close to knowing Christ, to having a righteousness granted by God through faith, to knowing the power of his resurrection and the privilege of sharing in his sufferings.
And that's where it gets me... Actually, this passage gets me on two points: first, I love credentials. I love earning gold stars and letting people know - in subtle ways so they don't realize that I'm boasting - just how great I am. If I had to choose between earning credentials and knowing Christ, I would have to think about it. Obviously I don't understand the greatness of knowing Jesus. Obviously I've become jaded to the wonder. God, renew me!
Secondly, I'm great with wanting to know the power of Christ's resurrection but I'm not so sure about sharing in his sufferings. I am not afraid to die but I am afraid of pain and humiliation and ridicule. I know that it is a privilege to share in Christ's sufferings and I know that I am not sharing in them because I am not capable of handling it. I am almost ashamed at how I have insulated myself from any suffering. Am I better than Christ? Then how can I defend the comfortable, safe life I am living?
Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts
Friday, April 18, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
worthy of the gospel of Christ
Philippians 1:27-30
The key words in this passage are: gospel, suffer, one. Paul is connecting back to his previous statement about how he rejoices because the gospel is preached and now he is encouraging the Philippians to live in such a way that their lives (not just their words) reflect the gospel of Christ. They are to live this way inspite of the persecution they face because it will show their persecutors that they are confident about the end of the struggle (the persecutors will "lose") and because suffering for Christ is a privilege that is granted to only a few.
There are two phrases that jump out at me:
1) Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven, live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. No matter what opportunities come my way or opposition is raised up against I must evaluate my life with in the framework of the good news message of Jesus. This means that I must strive for holiness, justice, grace, mercy, compassion and righteousness and not allow myself to make excuses for when I miss that mark.
2) It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ...to suffer for him. In NA Christianity (and I think it is spreading to other parts of the world) we see suffering as a mark of spiritual faultiness. If someone suffers, they must be sinning somehow or have a lack of faith. According to Paul, suffering for the sake of Christ is a privilege that is granted by God on behalf of Jesus. Am I worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ? Based on the fact that I am not suffering, the answer must be "no". I know that I should desire to be worthy and I should pray that God would prepare me to be given the privilege of suffering for Christ but the truth is that I like to be comfortable and safe and I'm afraid of pain.
The key words in this passage are: gospel, suffer, one. Paul is connecting back to his previous statement about how he rejoices because the gospel is preached and now he is encouraging the Philippians to live in such a way that their lives (not just their words) reflect the gospel of Christ. They are to live this way inspite of the persecution they face because it will show their persecutors that they are confident about the end of the struggle (the persecutors will "lose") and because suffering for Christ is a privilege that is granted to only a few.
There are two phrases that jump out at me:
1) Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven, live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. No matter what opportunities come my way or opposition is raised up against I must evaluate my life with in the framework of the good news message of Jesus. This means that I must strive for holiness, justice, grace, mercy, compassion and righteousness and not allow myself to make excuses for when I miss that mark.
2) It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ...to suffer for him. In NA Christianity (and I think it is spreading to other parts of the world) we see suffering as a mark of spiritual faultiness. If someone suffers, they must be sinning somehow or have a lack of faith. According to Paul, suffering for the sake of Christ is a privilege that is granted by God on behalf of Jesus. Am I worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ? Based on the fact that I am not suffering, the answer must be "no". I know that I should desire to be worthy and I should pray that God would prepare me to be given the privilege of suffering for Christ but the truth is that I like to be comfortable and safe and I'm afraid of pain.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
A Demonstrated Love
Romans 5:1-8
Observe:
The repeated words are: faith, through (Christ), rejoice, die. There is a logical progression: suffering leads to perseverance which leads to character which leads to hope which does not disappoint because it is founded in God's character. There is the theme of God's love poured into us and demonstrated at the cross of Christ and the theme of Christ's death.
Paul contrasts humans, who might be willing to die for a good person, to God who died for us when we were sinners (i.e. not good people).
Interpret:
The connecting word is "therefore" indicating that what comes next is because we have been justified by faith. Paul's argument is that because we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Not only is our legal standing changed (from guilty to justified) our relational standing has changed (from enemy to friend) before God.
If Paul's thesis is "the just will live by faith" and he has proven that we are made just by faith, this passage is the connection to the part where he proves that we will live by faith as well.
Apply:
The part that really stands out is rejoicing in suffering because suffering produces hope (taken to its final conclusion). I don't rejoice in suffering. I hate suffering. The idea of suffering makes me suffer. I think it is because I don't see the point of suffering - to produce perserverance, etc. in me. I just see it as an inconvenience. I also don't really trust God - if I am suffering it must be because either God is not in control, or he is not good, or he doesn't really love me. This is a very selfish view of suffering. Don't get me wrong - I think it is totally appropriate to ask God all sorts of questions but I can't lose sight of who God is in the midst of it all.
The second part of this is that I don't like suffering because I've lost sight of the hope. If I truly understood the hope I have in Jesus Christ (which is not blind optimism like "I hope I win a million bucks" but is secure because has given us the Holy Spirit and poured his love into our hearts through him) then I could truly rejoice in my suffering. No matter what I go through here in this life, there is something far better (unimaginably better) waiting for me! I think that I have lost sight of the fact that heaven is waiting and it may not wait until I die (that sends shivers down my spine!).
Observe:
The repeated words are: faith, through (Christ), rejoice, die. There is a logical progression: suffering leads to perseverance which leads to character which leads to hope which does not disappoint because it is founded in God's character. There is the theme of God's love poured into us and demonstrated at the cross of Christ and the theme of Christ's death.
Paul contrasts humans, who might be willing to die for a good person, to God who died for us when we were sinners (i.e. not good people).
Interpret:
The connecting word is "therefore" indicating that what comes next is because we have been justified by faith. Paul's argument is that because we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Not only is our legal standing changed (from guilty to justified) our relational standing has changed (from enemy to friend) before God.
If Paul's thesis is "the just will live by faith" and he has proven that we are made just by faith, this passage is the connection to the part where he proves that we will live by faith as well.
Apply:
The part that really stands out is rejoicing in suffering because suffering produces hope (taken to its final conclusion). I don't rejoice in suffering. I hate suffering. The idea of suffering makes me suffer. I think it is because I don't see the point of suffering - to produce perserverance, etc. in me. I just see it as an inconvenience. I also don't really trust God - if I am suffering it must be because either God is not in control, or he is not good, or he doesn't really love me. This is a very selfish view of suffering. Don't get me wrong - I think it is totally appropriate to ask God all sorts of questions but I can't lose sight of who God is in the midst of it all.
The second part of this is that I don't like suffering because I've lost sight of the hope. If I truly understood the hope I have in Jesus Christ (which is not blind optimism like "I hope I win a million bucks" but is secure because has given us the Holy Spirit and poured his love into our hearts through him) then I could truly rejoice in my suffering. No matter what I go through here in this life, there is something far better (unimaginably better) waiting for me! I think that I have lost sight of the fact that heaven is waiting and it may not wait until I die (that sends shivers down my spine!).
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