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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Phil. 1-2
Paul was constantly giving thanks for the faith of those he ministered to. Although my ministry in Christ is not the same as Paul’s, the thought hit me this morning that maybe I should be doing the same. I don’t, really. I thank God for people in my life, sure. But giving thanks for people’s faith, growth, courage in the gospel, ministry to others, etc. I quite likely do precious little of. In light of what I wrote about yesterday, however, about what it really means to be one body in Christ, I’m thinking that needs to change.
I need to remember that I don’t live my life in Christ in a vacuum. We live it in community, even when it isn’t obvious. Paul also constantly stressed that truth, encouraging unity among the body of believers. As a body we should be, “thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” (Phil. 2:2). For a group of humans, that is no easy task. For a large group, it seems impossible. But, “what is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Lk. 18:27). Which is why we should give thanks whenever we see it happening.
Phil. 3
I love Paul’s statement in verse 3. “For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh”. What this means is that we, who are filled with the Holy Spirit because of faith in Christ, are the people of God’s Holy covenant. We are Israel, Abraham’s promised descendants. God called Abram out from among the masses, gave him a promise, sealed that promise with the sign of circumcision, and gave him a new name. None of this had anything to do with who Abraham was, what he did, or any law. Now God has done the same for us. He set us apart, sealing us as His own, not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, through that same promise He gave to Abraham.
Phil. 4
Paul lived a hard life, to be sure. But it was also a blessed life. He told the Philippians, “In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content” (Phil. 4:12b). I used to read that verse and wonder what the secret was; what was the ‘trick’ that allowed him to be content. Some time ago, however, I realized that he said the secret of, not the secret to being content. In other words, contentment IS the secret. Contentment is the attitude that enables us to handle any and every circumstance with grace and steadfast faith. It’s what allows the love, peace, and joy of God to overflow in us to others, even when it seems it shouldn’t. Be content. That’s the secret to living a Christ-like life.
That being said, Paul really does give us the secret to maintaining an attitude of contentment in everything. He said, “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13). That’s right, folks – that verse doesn’t mean exactly what most people take it to mean. Although it’s true that we can do nothing without him, what Paul really said with these words is that it is Christ who enables us to be content through whatever He calls us to endure. So the secret to thriving wherever you are is contentment. And the secret to contentment is to lean on Christ.