Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
—to the glory and praise of God.
Summary: In this meditation, we arrive at the end of Paul’s prayer. Here at the end, Paul points us to the goal of bringing glory and praise to God.
As we arrive at the end of Paul’s prayer, we can be forgiven if we are wondering, “Why?”
Why do we want to discern what is best? Why do we need “depth of insight?” Why would anyone want to make an effort to be pure and blameless?
Continue reading “Philippians 1:11c – The Glory of God”
[… filled with the fruit of righteousness] that comes through Jesus Christ…
Summary: Righteousness that comes through Jesus is different than human righteousness.
As we continue through this passage, we discover that Paul is referring to a specific kind of righteousness, the kind that comes through Jesus Christ.
The word Paul uses for “righteousness” is “dikaiosýnē,” in Greek, which Strong’s Concordance defines as “equity (of character or act)” (Strong’s G1343).
Continue reading “Philippians 1:11b – God’s Standard”
… filled with the fruit of righteousness…
Summary: In this passage, Paul answers the question, “Are we righteous because of what we do or because of who we know?”
As we near the end of Paul’s prayer, it is good to step back and look at the whole thought before diving into our passage for this meditation. Paul writes:
Continue reading “Philippians 1:11a – Herding Cats”
… and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Summary: Parsing Paul’s words is always a challenge and always rewarding.
This passage presents us with two enormous questions:
One is what it means to be “pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” and the other is what Paul means by the “day of Christ?”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:10b – Above All Else”
… so that you may be able to discern what is best …
Summary: There is a reason we need help to discern what is best. To find out what that reason is, we have to go back to the very beginning of history.
To discern what is best requires love that abounds “more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.”
Why?
Continue reading “Philippians 1:10a – The Need to Discern”
… knowledge and depth of insight,
Summary: Knowledge and insight are related but different. Understanding why we need both can greatly enhance our relationship with God.
Before we move on, we need to spend a few more minutes exploring what “knowledge and depth of insight” mean. To review, Paul starts this passage with these words:
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight …”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:9b – Godly Love – Part II”
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight …
Summary: Paul’s prayer is an interesting one. We don’t normally associate love with knowledge and insight.
Have you ever wondered what Paul prayed about? Today’s passage gives us the answer.
Paul isn’t asking for the Philippians to have love or to be able to love; they already have that. He is specifically asking that the love they already have multiplies and grows “more and more” in two specific ways: in knowledge and “depth of insight.”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:9 – Godly Love”God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Summary: Paul’s claim about God testifying for him sounds a bit crazy at first, but the more we think about it and study what God is able to do, the more sense it makes.
If you needed someone to testify about what you were thinking at a certain place and time, who would you go to?
Sometimes we say things like, “I know what you’re thinking!” but we don’t. Nobody knows what you are thinking except you and God.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:8 – Mind Reader”
… whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
Summary: Paul, writing from prison, talks about sharing in the grace of God. This leads us to wonder about what “grace” is and what it means.
Have you ever noticed that whatever you are looking for, you always find it in the last place you look? It’s funny because it is true! It is also “funny” (odd) because sometimes the last place we look is the last place we would ever think to look.
For example, whoever thought the world would be saved by someone crucified by the Romans two thousand years ago?
Continue reading “Philippians 1:7b – The Last Place”
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart …
Summary: Paul continues his introductory remarks by explaining why he feels so strongly about the Philippians.
Emotions are a tricky thing. As people, we are susceptible to being emotionally needy.
To some extent, everyone is emotionally needy before they meet Jesus. We all need to be reunited with our Father, God.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:7a – Emotional Need”