Philippians 4:10-20
No surprise - the word rejoice shows up in this passage. Paul is talking about the monetary gift that he received from the church in Philippi which also reminds him of their faithfulness in sending him financial support through out his ministry - sometimes they were the only ones to support him. The tone of this passage is peace (which ties to the previous verses), joy (which ties to the whole book) and contentment.
There is a book/movement out there called "The Secret" which basically says that the Universe responds to our desires and if we ask, believe, receive properly we will get whatever we want (oif course I'm simplifying their belief for the sake of brevity - I think I've captured the essence of it). Paul has a different take on the secret: instead of always wanting and demanding things of the universe or of God or of people, he's learned the secret of being content no matter what circumstances he finds himself in. This seems like a much better way to live - not tied to material things, not tied to unfulfilled desires but just peace and contentment no matter what the I have or don't have. Paul says that the secret to contenment is trusting the One who empowers us to do all things and aligning ourselves with His values, desires and goals for this world. He then reminds his audience that God will meet all our needs (not wants) in order to bring glory to himself.
Paul's desire has become: to our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. This desire will be met because it is also God's desire. I pray that my heart will be transformed from seeking glory and things for myself to desiring only and simply the glory of God. That's the secret of contemtment - as long as God is glorified, I will be happy (may that be true).
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
the peace of God from the God of peace
Philippians 4:4-9
Key words: rejoice, peace (which is a recurring theme in these verses as well). This passage contains a list of things to think about: whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, etc.
Paul is saying that we should rejoice, no matter what the circumstances because we can present our requests and burdens to God. When we do that, the peace of God covers us which allows us not to focus on things that are discouraging but to think on things that are right, pure, etc. As we follow Paul's teaching and example, we will experience the presence of God. Paul started this letter by rejoicing that the gospel was being preached and ends by encouraging his readers (twice) to rejoice.
This passage reminds me that God is the God of peace and that the peace of God is something I need to experience in my life. I get so stressed, so anxious, so burdened with everything that I think I need to keep juggling and I wonder how I am going to keep all those balls in the air. The cure is simple: rejoice and pray. Rejoice that I have the God of peace as my Father and that he is near. Rejoice that the God of peace hears my prayers and will pour out his peace on me. Ask God for strength to carry the load that HE has placed on me and wisdom to know which parts I have placed on myself or allowed others to place on me. Then ask for discernment in how to off-load those things that aren't part of HIS calling. Peace be with you!
Key words: rejoice, peace (which is a recurring theme in these verses as well). This passage contains a list of things to think about: whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, etc.
Paul is saying that we should rejoice, no matter what the circumstances because we can present our requests and burdens to God. When we do that, the peace of God covers us which allows us not to focus on things that are discouraging but to think on things that are right, pure, etc. As we follow Paul's teaching and example, we will experience the presence of God. Paul started this letter by rejoicing that the gospel was being preached and ends by encouraging his readers (twice) to rejoice.
This passage reminds me that God is the God of peace and that the peace of God is something I need to experience in my life. I get so stressed, so anxious, so burdened with everything that I think I need to keep juggling and I wonder how I am going to keep all those balls in the air. The cure is simple: rejoice and pray. Rejoice that I have the God of peace as my Father and that he is near. Rejoice that the God of peace hears my prayers and will pour out his peace on me. Ask God for strength to carry the load that HE has placed on me and wisdom to know which parts I have placed on myself or allowed others to place on me. Then ask for discernment in how to off-load those things that aren't part of HIS calling. Peace be with you!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
"my true companion"
Philippians 4:1-3
Paul uses some pretty extreme language to describe how much he loves the church at Philippi: my joy, my crown, dear friends, those whom I love and long for. It's obvious that this church holds a very special place in his heart. That's why it must grieve him so much that Euodia (is that the Greek form of Yoda?) and Syntyche were causing divisions.
Paul gives three instructions: stand firm, be of the same mind in the Lord (Euodia and Syntyche especially), and to help these two women reach unity in mind. Unity was hugely important to Paul, possibly because any disunity would provide a crack for Satan to pick at to destroy a church and people's faith and possibly because, according to Ephesians, unity displays the wisdom of God to the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms.
These instructions could be given today: stand firm - don't give up, don't give in, don't stray from the truth and keep striving after righteousness and sanctification. I think that because we are a fast-food society, we're not willing to put much effort into anything - if we don't see instant results, we give up and move on. The problem is that our sanctification is going to take a long time and the results may be minimal (if noticeable at all) in the short term. We can't give up! We must stand firm.
The question I have is: who is Paul's "true companion"? The NIV text note says that it is probably a guy whose name is Syzgus (which means "companion"). But that seems a bit strange to me that Paul would introduce this loyal or true guy that we've never heard of before. Not impossible, but you'd think if he meant that much to Paul his name would appear elsewhere.
Paul uses some pretty extreme language to describe how much he loves the church at Philippi: my joy, my crown, dear friends, those whom I love and long for. It's obvious that this church holds a very special place in his heart. That's why it must grieve him so much that Euodia (is that the Greek form of Yoda?) and Syntyche were causing divisions.
Paul gives three instructions: stand firm, be of the same mind in the Lord (Euodia and Syntyche especially), and to help these two women reach unity in mind. Unity was hugely important to Paul, possibly because any disunity would provide a crack for Satan to pick at to destroy a church and people's faith and possibly because, according to Ephesians, unity displays the wisdom of God to the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms.
These instructions could be given today: stand firm - don't give up, don't give in, don't stray from the truth and keep striving after righteousness and sanctification. I think that because we are a fast-food society, we're not willing to put much effort into anything - if we don't see instant results, we give up and move on. The problem is that our sanctification is going to take a long time and the results may be minimal (if noticeable at all) in the short term. We can't give up! We must stand firm.
The question I have is: who is Paul's "true companion"? The NIV text note says that it is probably a guy whose name is Syzgus (which means "companion"). But that seems a bit strange to me that Paul would introduce this loyal or true guy that we've never heard of before. Not impossible, but you'd think if he meant that much to Paul his name would appear elsewhere.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Christian models
Philippians 3:17-21
Paul continues his thought from the previous paragraph: we should all forget what is behind and strain to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of us. Then Paul says that if the reader doesn't know how to do that to look at Paul's own example or the example of someone else who is living in that same way. The urgency of Paul's imperative is that by not living in this way, the reader risks being an enemy of the cross who is destined for destruction.
The characteristics of an enemy of the cross are that their god is their stomach - I think this means that they give in to their basic, animal instincts and have no self-control but indulge in glutony, sexual immorality, greed, etc. Their mantra is likely: if it feels good, do it. They have no thought for eternity but live completely in and for the moment. Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven and so we should have a point of view that extends beyond the present and live according to that.
There is no sense of Paul gloating about the destruction of the enemies of the cross. On the contrary, just the idea that there are those opposed to Christ and therefore destined for destruction causes tears to come to Paul's eyes. I know that I hdon't have that same heart-felt response. I think there are two reasons: I have allowed hell to be a theological belief and not allowed myself to really think about or comprehend what it means in reality and I have isolated myself relationally and emotionally from people who don't know Jesus which makes me callous to the fact that my neighbours are destined for destruction. As I think about it, there is a third reason: Paul's tears may come from the fact that he has a deep love for people but I believe that love for people is motivated by his love for God and his passionate desire for the glory of God. I think he has grasped the heart of God when it comes to enemies of the cross: it is sad because they are destined for destruction but also because they are minimizing the most beautiful expression of God's love for them.
My prayer? Simply that God would awaken my senses to the reality of the destruction that awaits those who live as if there is no eternity, that he would give me eyes to see people they way that he sees them and a heart to love them the way that he loves them, that he would remind me again of the glory of the cross and the deep insult that the enemies of the cross make when they live as if it never happened. I also pray that God would show me who is living like Paul in this regard so that I can model my life after them.
Paul continues his thought from the previous paragraph: we should all forget what is behind and strain to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of us. Then Paul says that if the reader doesn't know how to do that to look at Paul's own example or the example of someone else who is living in that same way. The urgency of Paul's imperative is that by not living in this way, the reader risks being an enemy of the cross who is destined for destruction.
The characteristics of an enemy of the cross are that their god is their stomach - I think this means that they give in to their basic, animal instincts and have no self-control but indulge in glutony, sexual immorality, greed, etc. Their mantra is likely: if it feels good, do it. They have no thought for eternity but live completely in and for the moment. Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven and so we should have a point of view that extends beyond the present and live according to that.
There is no sense of Paul gloating about the destruction of the enemies of the cross. On the contrary, just the idea that there are those opposed to Christ and therefore destined for destruction causes tears to come to Paul's eyes. I know that I hdon't have that same heart-felt response. I think there are two reasons: I have allowed hell to be a theological belief and not allowed myself to really think about or comprehend what it means in reality and I have isolated myself relationally and emotionally from people who don't know Jesus which makes me callous to the fact that my neighbours are destined for destruction. As I think about it, there is a third reason: Paul's tears may come from the fact that he has a deep love for people but I believe that love for people is motivated by his love for God and his passionate desire for the glory of God. I think he has grasped the heart of God when it comes to enemies of the cross: it is sad because they are destined for destruction but also because they are minimizing the most beautiful expression of God's love for them.
My prayer? Simply that God would awaken my senses to the reality of the destruction that awaits those who live as if there is no eternity, that he would give me eyes to see people they way that he sees them and a heart to love them the way that he loves them, that he would remind me again of the glory of the cross and the deep insult that the enemies of the cross make when they live as if it never happened. I also pray that God would show me who is living like Paul in this regard so that I can model my life after them.
Monday, April 21, 2008
don't look back...
Philipians 3:12-14
The key word is take hold or obtain: Paul has not yet taken hold of knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection and sharing in his sufferings (the previous paragraph). The key phrase is forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
This paragraph is a comfort to me because it would be easy to get discouraged if Paul had just stopped at the previous paragraph. He lays out the ideal: achieving the righteousness that comes by faith, knowing Christ, knowing the power of his resurrection (and I'm pretty sure that the word knowing here doesn't mean having information that would allow me to pass a test on Christian beliefs but that it means having first hand knowledge or experiencing) and sharing in his suffering. I know that I don't come anywhere close to the ideal but I am pressing on to take hold of it.
The phrase that captures my attention is "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of me." In other words, Christ's purpose for Paul's life is more than just being rescued from hell. Christ's purpose is that Paul would experience Christ, his resurrection, etc. Paul was not going to be satisfied until he took hold of that. I pray that I would have a holy disatisfaction with my present level of faith and experience and that I too would press on to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of me.
The key word is take hold or obtain: Paul has not yet taken hold of knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection and sharing in his sufferings (the previous paragraph). The key phrase is forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
This paragraph is a comfort to me because it would be easy to get discouraged if Paul had just stopped at the previous paragraph. He lays out the ideal: achieving the righteousness that comes by faith, knowing Christ, knowing the power of his resurrection (and I'm pretty sure that the word knowing here doesn't mean having information that would allow me to pass a test on Christian beliefs but that it means having first hand knowledge or experiencing) and sharing in his suffering. I know that I don't come anywhere close to the ideal but I am pressing on to take hold of it.
The phrase that captures my attention is "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of me." In other words, Christ's purpose for Paul's life is more than just being rescued from hell. Christ's purpose is that Paul would experience Christ, his resurrection, etc. Paul was not going to be satisfied until he took hold of that. I pray that I would have a holy disatisfaction with my present level of faith and experience and that I too would press on to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of me.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Washing Paul's mouth out with soap...
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?
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?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
le premiere etoile...
Philippians 2:19-30
I don't think it's any coincidence that just after Paul talks about shining like stars he starts talking about Timothy and Epaphroditus. I'm not even sure that they even talked about people as being "stars" in that day and age but even so, as Paul encourages the Philippian church to stand out like stars in the universe and to work out their salvation, I am not surprised that he was reminded of these two. I mean, look at their accomplishments: genuinely concerned about the welfare of others, more concerned about the interests of Christ than his own, served with Paul in spreading the gospel, fellow soldier, risking his life for the sake of the gospel, so valuable to Paul that his death would cause Paul to experience sorrow squared.
What is my legacy? Is there anything it this list that could apply to me? If I was one of Paul's people, what would he say about me? Very challenging as I realize based on the criteria that Paul uses for Timothy and Epaphroditus that I probably wouldn't make his list of stars...
I don't think it's any coincidence that just after Paul talks about shining like stars he starts talking about Timothy and Epaphroditus. I'm not even sure that they even talked about people as being "stars" in that day and age but even so, as Paul encourages the Philippian church to stand out like stars in the universe and to work out their salvation, I am not surprised that he was reminded of these two. I mean, look at their accomplishments: genuinely concerned about the welfare of others, more concerned about the interests of Christ than his own, served with Paul in spreading the gospel, fellow soldier, risking his life for the sake of the gospel, so valuable to Paul that his death would cause Paul to experience sorrow squared.
What is my legacy? Is there anything it this list that could apply to me? If I was one of Paul's people, what would he say about me? Very challenging as I realize based on the criteria that Paul uses for Timothy and Epaphroditus that I probably wouldn't make his list of stars...
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