Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal…
Summary: Paul’s understanding of the Gospel shines through in this passage. As we unpack his words, we discover a roadmap to using our time in the service of God.
In this passage, Paul confronts an unpleasant truth: If you are reading this, we have not yet obtained “the power of the resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).
So where are we? What have we obtained?
When we are born into this life, we inherit the sin of Adam and Eve (Romans 3:23). We are separated from God because we put our self-interest before God.
At some point, we recognize our need for God. This is different for everyone, but the effect remains the same. When we realize that we do not control the universe, we understand we are not in charge of our own fate. God is.
Then we come to know Jesus. He is the “good shepherd.” He knows his sheep and they know him (John 10:14).
Then what?
The Bible tells us that Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). The Spirit is our teacher and guide. The Spirit is also a mark of ownership. The presence of the Holy Spirit acts as a wax seal on a letter and at the same time, a security deposit (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Just like someone selling an expensive office building has to trust that the buyer will honor their word and their escrow deposit and finish the deal, we have to trust that God will honor his word and his deposit of the Holy Spirit. Fortunately, we know that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
In the meantime, what do we do?
What do we do between the time we accept that Jesus is Lord and the time we arrive at our goal?
It is not like we are waiting in a bus station or a train station. We are not waiting for Jesus to come pick us up in a Christian Cab. We still have to eat. We need a place to stay. We get bored and we want to do things.
This is where faith comes in. It is also where the Bible comes in handy. How should we fill our time between now and the day we are called home to be with the Lord? God has some good suggestions in his book.
Application: Learn what it means to walk in faith.
Food for Thought: What are your favorite ways to fill your time in the service of our Lord?
I would have to say one of my favorite ways to fill my time in the service of the Lord is to read a particular story line in the Bible and then research the “Author-Audience-Agenda.” One, I enjoy this and find it so very interesting. A bit like a treasure hunt. And two, I find that there are usually so many “casual details” mentioned in these timelines that have a significant impact in fully understanding what is happening and the significance of action, reaction, and response.
This serves the Lord in two ways (probably more, but these two I know):
1) People love a good story. When you can capture all the interesting details and their significance, people like to hear about it, and it gives them pause to reflect on how it applies to their life. The Old Testament sometimes appears to be “ancient”, but these stories take on a new life when people see that the Old and New Testament people are not so different. People have a chance to see the faithful and long-suffering mercy and grace of God through the ages.
2) There are a lot of misunderstandings about what is written in the Bible. Sometimes nonbelievers will look at a particular verse or passage and try to use it to discredit God (in their mind). Knowing the particulars of how and why things happened in the Bible and just explaining it in a conversation helps “break the ground” in people’s hearts. Again, it is passing on the message of hope, salvation, redemption, and grace.
Thanks, Chris!
I like the way you framed your approach to Bible Study!
I also appreciate how you use what you learn to create a bridge to people’s hearts and minds.
Well done! 🙂
Great Job Chris!
What are your favorite ways to fill your time in the service of our Lord?
I’m up about 6:00a each morning, prepare a daily meal for our cat and settle down for my daily morning Bible Study lesson. This year we are studying the Minor Prophets.
My wife often has her Honey Do list which I always give high priority in our home. Then we have Home Depot, Lowes and Fred Meyer close by. I like to put on my “Christ is King” hat and visit these stores in case our Lord has arranged meetings with other men for conversations about Jesus. It’s always a great day when he has arranged a conversation.
Sundays are Church where the. Mentally Challenged young people have become my buddies. We will sit together during service, and have an opportunity for fellowship with up to four after service. It’s great to watch them laugh.
Monday nights are my Mens Bible Study Fellowship night where I meet with 20 men as we go over our lesson for the week, and share what we have learned and how has this affected our lives. Then about 120 of us meet in the auditorium for the lecture on the chapters we have studies the previous week.
Our Lord is Great!
Thank you, Ron!
What a lovely description of how you spend your time for the Lord!
Thank you for sharing!!