Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
[Therefore, if you ….make my joy complete by being like-minded]… having the same love…
Summary: Having the “same love” as Christ is a challenge. Understanding why helps us to focus our efforts on serving God’s will.
Paul’s sentences are famously long and convoluted. In this passage, he begins with a series of “if’s,” and then, when he reaches his “then,” he asks his readers to “make my joy complete by being like-minded.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2c – Two Kinds of Love”
[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”
Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit…
Summary: Paul’s words put us in mind of the power of God to connect us in his Spirit.
Our modern world is an amalgam of strange and conflicting realities.
On the one hand, technology has made it possible for us to be more connected with other people than ever. Do you want to talk with someone? Reach for your cell phone and call. If you don’t want to talk, you can text, or at the other end of the spectrum, you can use the video feature and call, talk, and see the person(s) you are talking with.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:27b – Standing With Paul”
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Summary: Paul’s direct instruction about how we ought to conduct ourselves is the foundation for a lifetime of study and practice.
Finally — Paul provides us with a straightforward sentence!
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of ________ (fill in the blank).”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:27a – Living Worthy”
[I eagerly expect and hope that I…] will have sufficient courage…
Summary: The word “courage” is an interesting choice for a translation of the Greek word Paul used. As we examine the Greek, we discover that there is more to this passage than a desire to be brave.
Do you have “sufficient courage?” Do you know anybody who does?
Whatever the word “courage” means to you, it probably does not capture the essence of what Paul was trying to say.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:20b – Bold Assurance”—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”
… 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”
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”
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Summary: How we live testifies to what we believe.
It is significant that Paul should return to these words: “It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” He has already told us to “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 3:17). Now, he points out it is Jesus whom we serve.
Why does he say this?
Continue reading “Colossians 3:24b – Serving Jesus”