Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
But our citizenship is in heaven.
Summary: The idea of citizenship in heaven is a provocative peek into our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Citizenship is something many of us take for granted. Growing up, I never worried about carrying citizenship papers until I traveled overseas. Before traveling outside the country, I needed to get a passport. Getting a passport required proving that I was a citizen.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:20a – Our Heavenly Passport”
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters…
Summary: Reading about Paul’s life in the Book of Acts reveals a portrait of a man who is not only devoted to Jesus Christ but can maintain that devotion through every hardship.
As I read Paul’s words in this passage, my mind wanders to the question: “What was Paul like?”
What kind of person was he?
What, exactly, was the example that he set?
Continue reading “Philippians 3:17a – Learning From Paul”
Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Summary: Paul challenges us to ponder what it means to know Jesus.
Oddly, Paul has just told us all the things he has not yet obtained (vs. 12). Yet, in this passage, he points to things “we” have already attained.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:16 – Attainment”
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”
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”
And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Summary: Paul’s simple statement about his confidence in the Lord gives us a reason to have confidence in Jesus, too.
I have to admire Paul’s confidence.
Here he is, at least four years into an unjustified imprisonment, confident that he will be released soon.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:24 – God’s-Eye View”
… for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Summary: Faith is not merely believing in God, but allowing Him to work in and through us for His greater purpose.
In our last meditation, we looked to Abraham as an example of faith lived out in action (See “Philippians 2:12b – Faith and Action”). Now, Paul has us examining how God worked in Abraham’s life and why action is such an integral part of faith.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:13 – God’s Good Purpose”
… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage challenge our concept of faith and what it means.
This passage is one of the most significant and possibly most ignored in the entire Bible.
Why is it significant?
It is important because it deals with the core of Christian living.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:12b – Faith and Action”
[Therefore] … if [you have] any comfort from his love…
Summary: As we continue through Paul’s checklist, we are reminded that being broken before God is a prerequisite for finding comfort in his love.
In this passage, Paul provides us with a kind of “pre-flight” checklist.
When I was young, my dad owned a small plane, but it was a very simple one. No electrical system or fancy-dancy navigational equipment. Just magnetos for electrical power and a good, swift pull on the prop for a starter.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:1b – Comfort”
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Summary: Paul’s thoughts are sometimes complex. In this meditation, we take a 30,000-foot view of Paul’s thoughts in his passage in hopes of seeing the “bigger picture.”
If you have read this blog for any length of time, you are probably shocked to see a meditation that is based on two entire verses at once. Never fear! We will, no doubt, dissect this in future meditations. However, given the complexity of Paul’s thought here, I thought it best to begin with an overview.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:1-2 – Paul’s Request”