Phil. 1:10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
The corollary verse to this is found in the infamous Romans 12...
Rom. 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
These verses correspond with each other because they go to the principle of discerning what is God's best plan for us. However the verse in Phillippians goes even further and holds out that if we choose what is best we may be pure and blameless.
All of this is hanging not on our performance of adhering to the law per se but in increasing our knowledge of Him in Spirit and in truth and governing ourselves according to the better and best ways to love one another. As we learned in the previous verse:
Phil. 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
Again focusing on not the balance of truth and grace, but embodying the fulness of both. When we mistakenly try to balance them we dilute one or the other or worse, both. Like Jesus was the fullness of both we need to strive toward that as well.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
There is good, there is better and then there is best. To love one another with the mind of Christ in Spirit and truth is... Best.
APPLICATION
Today, I will intentionally put my mind on guard and be generous in my thoughts toward others, believing the best, and not assuming the worst. I will make note of the instances of this today and consider how they unfolded as I ponder my day as I prepare for sleep tonight.
Welcome
One of the most effective ways to allow the Word of God to affect your life is to study it inductively. That is what this blog is all about. Typically one verse per day will be mined for insight and then followed up with how I plan to implement that insight practically. My prayer is that in some way you find this useful in your journey and that it may impact you positively. -G
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Phil. 1:9 - Irresistible Jesus
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight
Here is the crux of the Christian experience. To love others more and more as time goes by all the while also increasing in knowledge and insight into the truths of God. In the moment of Jesus' last opportunity to speak into the lives of his disciples at the end of the passover meal He gave them the ultimate summation of the three years He had been with them in this one statement:
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Somehow the world will know that we are His disciples not by how well we are committed to go to church or by how well we understand the Scriptures but by how obviously we love one another.
It is also interesting that in the beginning of the Gospel of John as John is introducing Jesus to his readers he states the following:
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Full of grace and truth, isn't it interesting how Paul in this verse in the book of Phillippians also echoes this same principle, to love more and more but to also increase in understanding of the truth. One without the other becomes unbalanced and harsh or useless. It is the light of truth to illuminate and the warmth of love to attract those who do not know God toward himself, and when we get this right The Lord Jesus is irresistible.
APPLICATION
Today I will commit to memory these verses in John 13:34-35
Here is the crux of the Christian experience. To love others more and more as time goes by all the while also increasing in knowledge and insight into the truths of God. In the moment of Jesus' last opportunity to speak into the lives of his disciples at the end of the passover meal He gave them the ultimate summation of the three years He had been with them in this one statement:
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Somehow the world will know that we are His disciples not by how well we are committed to go to church or by how well we understand the Scriptures but by how obviously we love one another.
It is also interesting that in the beginning of the Gospel of John as John is introducing Jesus to his readers he states the following:
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Full of grace and truth, isn't it interesting how Paul in this verse in the book of Phillippians also echoes this same principle, to love more and more but to also increase in understanding of the truth. One without the other becomes unbalanced and harsh or useless. It is the light of truth to illuminate and the warmth of love to attract those who do not know God toward himself, and when we get this right The Lord Jesus is irresistible.
APPLICATION
Today I will commit to memory these verses in John 13:34-35
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Phil. 1:8 -Paul's Great Affection for the Phillippians
8 God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows I care for you in the same way Christ Jesus does. CEV
Though I have never been in prison or incarcerated in any way I could only imagine how a person would long to be elsewhere, and how that longing could seem like an ache from the deepest part of the heart. It seems that Paul is going through something like this here as he expresses his concern for and desire to be with the Philippians.
Paul says that he cares for them in the same way that Christ Jesus does. Which is that he is concerned for their souls, and is their advocate, encourager and protector. The evidence will be clear as we read the rest of this epistle, that it was crafted with great love and care for his hearers. The book of Phillippians stands out as one of the most encouraging and uplifting books of the entire Bible.
APPLICATION
I will read through the book of Phillippians today, to appreciate it in its entirety. Considering the backdrop of Paul's great affection for these people of Phillipi.
Though I have never been in prison or incarcerated in any way I could only imagine how a person would long to be elsewhere, and how that longing could seem like an ache from the deepest part of the heart. It seems that Paul is going through something like this here as he expresses his concern for and desire to be with the Philippians.
Paul says that he cares for them in the same way that Christ Jesus does. Which is that he is concerned for their souls, and is their advocate, encourager and protector. The evidence will be clear as we read the rest of this epistle, that it was crafted with great love and care for his hearers. The book of Phillippians stands out as one of the most encouraging and uplifting books of the entire Bible.
APPLICATION
I will read through the book of Phillippians today, to appreciate it in its entirety. Considering the backdrop of Paul's great affection for these people of Phillipi.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Philippians 1:7 - Where Is Your Compassion
Phil. 1:7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.
This verse is quite unique in all of the New Testament in that in employs the word "feel" here in the NIV as well as other versions such as NASB. The premise is clear, Paul is communicating that he is sentimental toward this group of people, the Phillippians. Who in the previous verse he just pronounced a most precious and fervently kept promise of God that the Lord will carry on and complete the good work He once began in us. We all want that promise. We all need that promise. Paul in his great affection toward his Phillippian disciples reveals the extent of his concern and love for them by his choice of terms. Using the word "feeling" is not typical of Paul since he always in every other circumstance is grounded in fact and not usually expressing himself in terms of emotions. I just think that it underscores his great love toward these people.
APPLICATION
I need to examine my own heart to see what it is that I am really compassionate about. I need to align my emotions and concerns toward that which concerns the heart of God. When I do this I will be more in tune with the Spirit.
This verse is quite unique in all of the New Testament in that in employs the word "feel" here in the NIV as well as other versions such as NASB. The premise is clear, Paul is communicating that he is sentimental toward this group of people, the Phillippians. Who in the previous verse he just pronounced a most precious and fervently kept promise of God that the Lord will carry on and complete the good work He once began in us. We all want that promise. We all need that promise. Paul in his great affection toward his Phillippian disciples reveals the extent of his concern and love for them by his choice of terms. Using the word "feeling" is not typical of Paul since he always in every other circumstance is grounded in fact and not usually expressing himself in terms of emotions. I just think that it underscores his great love toward these people.
APPLICATION
I need to examine my own heart to see what it is that I am really compassionate about. I need to align my emotions and concerns toward that which concerns the heart of God. When I do this I will be more in tune with the Spirit.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Phil. 1:6 -Rest in Him
Philippians 1:66 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Do you believe that? I do, I need to. Otherwise I will walk in condemnation never expecting eternal life to be mine. I know that in myself I am not capable of being a Disciple apart from the work that Christ is doing in me. Left to myself I will mess up my life innumerably. So I have nothing else to trust except that God in me will continue and complete the work He started and the only thing that I can do is get myself out of the way and not interfere or disturb that which He is doing. Then in the end easily it will be to the glory of God and not of anything that I have done to deserve eternal rest in Him.
APPLICATION
I will meditate on this verse today.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Phil 1:5 -Partnership
Phil. 1:5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
Partnership: The association of two or more persons for the purpose of undertaking and prosecuting any business, particularly trade or manufactures, at their joint expense. (Noah Websters 1828 dictionary)
True partners are united in purpose to accomplish a shared goal, they are also both invested in the endeavor with intent and interest as well as time energy and effort. All of this creates a certain connection and kinship that can be rare however it is commonly found when a band of brothers find themselves on the battlefield entrenched against an advancing enemy, or you will find it in the firehouse where a group of men will rest in between the harrowing events of putting out fires and rescuing people from difficult circumstances all the while their own lives are in each others hands. This connection can also be found on the playing field in a team sport or in the group that is dispatched to a mission field together.
Paul is reveling in this unity of purpose and kinship with the Philippian believers as they have been partners with him in the endeavor to spread the gospel of Christ. What an encouragement it must have been to him to know that the furtherance of the work is continuing with power and strength even in his absence. What peace it must bring him even as he contemplates the inevitable, end of his earthly life.
APPLICATION
I need to appreciate those I am blessed to serve with as we are partners in the work of the gospel. I need to recognize them as such and to do what I can to help them accomplish their calling with joy. Today I will be open to the Holy Spirit leading me to assist any coworker in any way I can, and then to measure the fruit of such.
Partnership: The association of two or more persons for the purpose of undertaking and prosecuting any business, particularly trade or manufactures, at their joint expense. (Noah Websters 1828 dictionary)
True partners are united in purpose to accomplish a shared goal, they are also both invested in the endeavor with intent and interest as well as time energy and effort. All of this creates a certain connection and kinship that can be rare however it is commonly found when a band of brothers find themselves on the battlefield entrenched against an advancing enemy, or you will find it in the firehouse where a group of men will rest in between the harrowing events of putting out fires and rescuing people from difficult circumstances all the while their own lives are in each others hands. This connection can also be found on the playing field in a team sport or in the group that is dispatched to a mission field together.
Paul is reveling in this unity of purpose and kinship with the Philippian believers as they have been partners with him in the endeavor to spread the gospel of Christ. What an encouragement it must have been to him to know that the furtherance of the work is continuing with power and strength even in his absence. What peace it must bring him even as he contemplates the inevitable, end of his earthly life.
APPLICATION
I need to appreciate those I am blessed to serve with as we are partners in the work of the gospel. I need to recognize them as such and to do what I can to help them accomplish their calling with joy. Today I will be open to the Holy Spirit leading me to assist any coworker in any way I can, and then to measure the fruit of such.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Phlippians 1:4 Our Joy Will not be Found on Earth but by the Spirit
Phil 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
Considering the setting of a prison cell that Paul is confined to, I would imagine that his state of mind would be trying at times and also downright depressing, after all he is still human. Let's see, Paul could focus on such things that are true but not helpful or positive like the fact that he has lost his freedom because of violent jealous religious leaders who have falsely accused him, that loss of freedom would get to you after a while, or perhaps the frustration of his body being subject to such discomfort as being in chains 24/7. I know that when I do not feel good physically it totally affects my state of mind. How about the certain expectation he may have had for this time in his life that did not include prison, certainly he had some plan that was disrupted, I know that when I am derailed from my expectations of my future it gets me out of sorts. Then there are the more subtle things that a man of Paul's intellect would require such as a certain level of control over his own life that is now in the hands of gruff, godless guards or secular rulers, being in God's hands is comforting but being subject to the whim or carelessness of some low level guard must be vexing to say the least.
In all this and more that we can deduce Paul rises above these earthly concerns and fleshly need, wants or desires and finds joy in the spirit realm. However it is in the Throne Room of God where he finds great boldness and grace to enter into intercession for all of the brothers and sisters in the faith that he finds his joy. Joy, we learn is not connected to circumstance nor surroundings but a state of mind and condition of the heart.
APPLICATION
Today I will be careful to not let my surroundings, my circumstances or other people to affect my joy found in the spirit. I will discipline myself to be mindful not to react to these visible and earthly inputs but to remain in tune with the Spirit. I will also pray for a fresh baptism of the Holy Sprit to accomplish this today.
Considering the setting of a prison cell that Paul is confined to, I would imagine that his state of mind would be trying at times and also downright depressing, after all he is still human. Let's see, Paul could focus on such things that are true but not helpful or positive like the fact that he has lost his freedom because of violent jealous religious leaders who have falsely accused him, that loss of freedom would get to you after a while, or perhaps the frustration of his body being subject to such discomfort as being in chains 24/7. I know that when I do not feel good physically it totally affects my state of mind. How about the certain expectation he may have had for this time in his life that did not include prison, certainly he had some plan that was disrupted, I know that when I am derailed from my expectations of my future it gets me out of sorts. Then there are the more subtle things that a man of Paul's intellect would require such as a certain level of control over his own life that is now in the hands of gruff, godless guards or secular rulers, being in God's hands is comforting but being subject to the whim or carelessness of some low level guard must be vexing to say the least.
In all this and more that we can deduce Paul rises above these earthly concerns and fleshly need, wants or desires and finds joy in the spirit realm. However it is in the Throne Room of God where he finds great boldness and grace to enter into intercession for all of the brothers and sisters in the faith that he finds his joy. Joy, we learn is not connected to circumstance nor surroundings but a state of mind and condition of the heart.
APPLICATION
Today I will be careful to not let my surroundings, my circumstances or other people to affect my joy found in the spirit. I will discipline myself to be mindful not to react to these visible and earthly inputs but to remain in tune with the Spirit. I will also pray for a fresh baptism of the Holy Sprit to accomplish this today.
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