Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
[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”
… but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Summary: How we see things can change everything.
Have you ever noticed how polarized sunglasses cut out the glare? It is really quite amazing! The effect is most noticeable on water.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:9c – Son Glasses”
… not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law…
Summary: Righteousness can mean a lot of different things depending on whose righteousness you are talking about.
What happens if we have a righteousness of our own?
Many years ago, I worked for a man who claimed there was “no right or wrong—only shades of gray.” It was frustrating because this meant he was always “right” and I was always “wrong.”
Continue reading “Philippians 3:9b – Going Home”
… that I may gain Christ and be found in him…
Summary: In this passage, Paul touches on the keystone of Christian living.
What does it mean to “gain Christ?”
Paul is going to tell us in great detail. He begins his explanation with the following words:
Continue reading “Philippians 3:8c-9a – Found in Jesus”
… for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage…
Summary: Paul’s assessment of the things in his life gives us a reason to pause and consider what it is that we value, too.
Sometimes people say things and they don’t really mean it.
For example, if I said, “If I don’t get to go on vacation soon, I’m just going to die!,” you would understand that I am exaggerating. Some call it hyperbole. Everyone “get’s it.”
Continue reading “Philippians 3:8b – All Things”
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…
Summary: When Paul compares the things of this world to knowing Christ Jesus, he makes us think about what we value in life.
Paul has just walked us through all the things he considered his “gains” in life (Philippians 3:7). What were his “gains?” They were the material things that put him ahead of others.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:8 – Just Jesus”
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Summary: Paul declares that his entire life before Jesus was a waste. Is that true? The question makes us ponder the timing of Jesus’ birth.
Have you ever worked hard on something, only to get to the end of it and realize it wasn’t really what you wanted or needed to do?
Continue reading “Philippians 3:7 – Wasted Effort”
… as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
Summary: Understanding the difference between the law and love is not as simple as it sounds.
How can anyone say that they are “faultless?”
Really?
Faultless?!
Continue reading “Philippians 3:6b – Faultless”
… as for zeal, persecuting the church;
Summary: Paul’s zeal for persecuting the church provides a window into who Paul is and the depth of his love for God.
The keyword in this passage is “zeal,” so let’s take a closer look at what it means.
Interestingly, the Greek word for “zeal” is very similar to our English word. In Greek, the word is “zẽlos.” (Zee, I told you! 🙂 )
Continue reading “Philippians 3:6a – Flipped”