Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Summary: Ultimately, God is in charge. There is a great deal of comfort in that.
Some time ago, a man was leading a small study group at his church. In the course of preparing for the study, he wrestled with a Biblical passage that dealt with the nature of sin.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:15b – Who’s In Charge?”
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.
Summary: Paul continues to challenge our thinking with his words. Here, he is speaking to “all of us … who are mature.” How do we know who is “mature?”
I wonder if Paul is talking to me?
He says, “All of us, then, who are mature…”
How do I know if I am “mature?”
Continue reading “Philippians 3:15a – Such a View”
… and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Summary: Life is not a game, but sometimes thinking in terms of a contest helps us visualize what is at stake in life.
What kind of prize motivates you?
Is it a trophy?
Are you excited by the thought of having your picture and name in the paper?
Do you work extra hard if the prize is money?
Continue reading “Philippians 3:13c-14 – The Prize”
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage are almost poetic. He describes himself striving for his goal. Our goal is to understand what he means.
Oops! Observant readers will note that there was a glitch in the order of meditations last week. For some reason, I skipped over this passage. Today, we correct that oversight, and tomorrow we will be back on schedule.
———— <<< ◊ >>> ————
Once again, we are confronted with the question, “What is ‘it’?”
Continue reading “Philippians 3:13a – Seeking God”
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind…
Summary: Forgetting what is behind does not mean forgetting the lessons of the past, but it does set us free from the guilt and the shame.
Do you struggle with guilt?
I do!
Satan has his sights on my guilt button, and he finds ways of pushing it when I least expect it.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:13b – Remembering to Forget”
… but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Summary: What is it, exactly, that is being taken “hold of?” Clearly, Paul has something in mind. It is up to us to figure out what it is.
Before we dive into this passage, let’s see if we can figure out what Paul is talking about. What is it, exactly, that he and Jesus are taking hold of?
Continue reading “Philippians 3:12b – The Jesus Train”
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?
Continue reading “Philippians 3:12a – The Reason for Faith”
… becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Summary: Paul’s words about “attaining to the resurrection from the dead” lead us to consider how we get to the point where we can actually understand what he is talking about.
For some reason, people don’t like to think about death.
People have different reactions to the topic. Some of us obsess about death, some ignore it or make jokes about it. Human psychology has a variety of ways to deal with the unthinkable.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:10c-11 – The Unthinkable”
[I want to know Christ—] yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings…
Summary: Suffering and resurrection are bound together in this passage. One leads to the other.
The day Jesus died is confusing because so much was happening at the time. Consider, for a moment, all the threads associated with that day.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:10b – The Day Jesus Died”
I want to know Christ—
Summary: Paul has been talking about his relationship with Jesus. In this passage, he looks forward to something most people fear.
These five words, “I want to know Christ —,“ are a stunning statement coming from a man who has actually MET the risen Lord Jesus (Acts 9). He was personally chosen by Jesus to be the Apostle to the Gentile world (Acts 9:15). Paul received his Gospel by direct revelation from Christ (Titus 1:3). Paul knows Christ rather well.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:10a – Life & Death”