Category: Philippians Devotionals

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Philippians Devotionals

Standing in grace

Standing in grace

So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. (Philippians 4:1)

Chapter 4 starts in a strange place. Verse 1 really should be in chapter 3 because it wraps up everything Paul was saying.

How do we stand firm in the Lord? What does “in this manner” mean?

I think it means to stand in grace.

Not trying to earn God’s acceptance through our own efforts. Not clinging to our own “report card” of righteousness or our own credentials in order to prove ourselves worthy of him.

But leaving that all behind and simply pursuing our relationship with Jesus. A relationship we already have, because in his grace and love he has taken hold of us and made us his own.

Now out of love, awe, and gratitude for all he’s done for us, we take on his interests, living for him and his kingdom.

More, we do so with the hope and confidence that despite all our sins, struggles, and failings, we will one day see him face to face.

And when we do, we know that we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (Philippians 3:20-21, 1 John 3:1-2)

That’s standing in grace.

And that’s how I want to live.

How about you?

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Philippians Devotionals

Seeking Jesus’ interests

Praying for the city

For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:20-21)

As I read those words, I was thinking this morning, “Am I seeking Jesus’ interests?”

It’s so easy for me to get distracted by things that are trivial or stupid. To waste my time on these things.

But I want to have my Lord’s interests.

And for him, that’s the people he’s put in my life.

That was Timothy’s interest, and that was certainly Paul’s.

So my prayer today is the same as yesterday’s.

Father, give me your Son’s heart for your people. I want his interests to be mine.

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Philippians Devotionals

Do I have your heart?

Prayer

For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:8)

Father, do I have the same affection for your people that Jesus has? Would you be able to say of me, “Bruce feels the exact same way for my people as my Son does.”

Father, give me your heart. Give me the heart of your Son toward your people.

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Philippians Devotionals

Working out our salvation

Walking with God

Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling… (Philippians 2:12)

I was thinking today on what it means to work out our salvation.

I think Paul explains his meaning more clearly in chapter 3.

He’s not talking about trying to become righteous by his own efforts to keep the law. His righteousness came by faith in Christ’s work on the cross for him. (Philippians 3:9)

So what does he mean by working out his salvation?

  1. Pursuing his relationship with Jesus. Knowing Christ became his ultimate pursuit in life above all other things.
  2. Becoming more and more like Jesus. Paul wanted to experience Jesus’ resurrection power in his life, becoming like his Lord.

    But before he could be raised with Jesus, he had to die with Jesus. Just as Jesus suffered and died to sin once for all time, Paul needed to learn to die to sin once and for all so that he could live for God (Romans 6:10-11).

    And by Paul joining in Christ’s sufferings, he showed that he was through with sin, no longer living for himself, but for God’s will. (1 Peter 4:1-2)

That’s what it means to work out our salvation. And it’s an ongoing process. A process that Paul admitted he had not fully completed yet.

He still fell short. He still hadn’t arrived.

But Jesus in his grace had taken hold of him. And so Paul strove to take full hold of the salvation he had received, working out his salvation with fear and trembling.

I marvel at the fact that this same Jesus that took hold of Paul has taken hold of me. And so like Paul, I’m striving to take full hold of the salvation I have received, working out that salvation with fear and trembling.

I still fall short. I still haven’t arrived. But with full confidence in the grace and love God has given me, I say with Paul,

Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

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Philippians Devotionals

With fear and trembling

Awe of God

Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)

With fear and trembling.

I was meditating on those words this morning.

What do they mean?

Three times, Paul uses that exact phrase, and each time it’s in the context of obedience to the Lord.

In 2 Corinthians 7:15, the Corinthians received Timothy with fear and trembling because of Jesus who he represented and who they obeyed.

In Ephesians 6:5, Paul told slaves to obey their masters with fear and trembling just as they obeyed Jesus with fear and trembling.

And here in Philippians 2:12, he tells the Philippians that as they have always obeyed, to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.

Of course, Jesus fully accomplished our salvation on the cross, but as we follow and serve him, we more fully experience the benefits of that salvation. And the greatest benefit is a restored relationship with the God who deeply loves us.

So a large part of working out our salvation is learning to walk in that restored relationship with God, moment to moment, day to day.

But why do so with fear and trembling?

Because Jesus has been given the name above all names. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord.

I can’t help but think that Paul was not only thinking of Isaiah 45:23 which he quotes, but Psalm 2.

Psalm 2 is a Messianic psalm in which God essentially does what Paul talks about in Philippians 2: he establishes Jesus as king over all. And all who rage against him and rebel will be destroyed. Such people should be afraid of his wrath.

But on the other hand, all who take refuge in Jesus will find joy. (Psalm 2:12)

And so, the psalmist writes,

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (Psalm 2:11, ESV)

Sound familiar? I think that’s what Paul is alluding to when he says work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

We are not Jesus’ equals. Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is worthy of our obedience. And he will judge all those who rebel against him.

Because of that, we dare not take him lightly.

And yet, when we acknowledge his lordship in our lives, we need not live in constant fear of his punishment. Punishment is for his enemies, not us.

Rather with reverential awe, not only that, with gladness and joyful songs, we serve him. (Psalm 2:11 (CSB), Philippians 2:13 NLT, Psalm 100:2)

In our trembling, we rejoice at the grace God has given us. We rejoice that he works in us to will and work according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)

I think another psalmist sums up the meaning of working out our salvation with fear and trembling.

Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we are his— his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.

For the LORD is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations. (Psalm 100:3-5)

So this year, let us not take our Lord or the salvation he has given us lightly. Rather, let us work out our salvation with fear and trembling. And rejoicing.

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Philippians Devotionals

Praying for others. Praying for ourselves.

Praying the Bible

As I was reading Paul’s words today, I started to pray some of his prayers for the Philippians for the people on my prayer list, for my family and small group in particular, but also for my pastor and his wife.

I pray that <name>’s love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that <name> may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to your praise and glory, God.

I believe you started a good work in <name>. Please carry it to completion.

Let <name> live a life worthy of your gospel, and may you be highly honored in <name>’s body. (From Philippians 1:6, 9-11, 20, 27)

As I was praying, though, I realized I needed those prayers too. And so I prayed for myself as well.

Father, I pray that I too will keep growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that I may approve the things that are superior and be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to your praise and glory.

You started a good work in me. Please carry it to completion.

Let me live a life worthy of your gospel, and be highly honored in my body, in my life today. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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Philippians Devotionals

What we dwell on

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

“What does my heart dwell on?”

That’s what I was thinking today after reading verse 8.

For me, there’s a lot I can dwell on.

Political issues. Social issues. The war in Gaza.

On a more personal level, family problems.

But when I dwell on these things, they inevitably lead to frustration, anger, sadness, and anxiety.

Certainly not peace.

And so many times I sense God telling me, “Shift your focus. Turn off the TV; turn off the internet. Stop arguing with people in your head. Turn to me.”

Part of that is turning to his words. Letting his words shape the way I’m thinking. Letting his words change my focus to that which is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, morally excellent and praiseworthy.

Part of that is simply taking the time to talk to him about all that’s running through my mind.

As Paul says, being “anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, making our requests known to God.”

What are you dwelling on?

Jesus, you are the vine; I am the branch. You are my source of life and spiritual nourishment. So set my heart and mind on you.

You know all that goes on through my mind during the day. But help me not to dwell on these things. Help me to dwell on you. You are my life.

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Philippians Devotionals

Our hope

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Philippians 1:6.

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

We see more of that idea in 12-13 of chapter 2.

…continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God. (Philippians 2:12-13, NET)

One thing that has always given me hope as a Christian is that even though I see all my sins and weaknesses, God never gives up on me. What he has started, he will complete.

Even now, he is working in me, giving me the desire and the ability to be more like Jesus.

Sometimes that process seems slow. I still see all my flaws. I am far from perfect. But I have also seen the change God has worked in my life over the years.

And I stand in awe and reverence at his incredible grace toward me each and every day. That’s what motivates me to keep following after him.

Not guilt.

Not fear of God’s anger or rejection of me.

But his amazing grace.

Is that your hope?

What motivates you?

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Philippians Devotionals

In all things, strong

PhilippiansHope

I have come to understand the secret of dealing with any and every circumstance: I can do all things through the One who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13, English translation of the New Japanese Bible, 2017)

I’ve always loved that phrase, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

You could also translate it, “I am strong to deal with all things, because of Christ who strengthens me.”

I am strong. Not because of my own innate strength. But because of Jesus pouring his power into me.

Strong to deal with not only good times, but bad times.

Strong to deal with whatever life or Satan might throw at me.

In all things, strong.

Lord, I look at my life and see so many weaknesses. It seems so strange to look at those weaknesses and say, “I’m strong.”

But in you, I am strong. Your strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

And so whatever my circumstances, good or bad, I am content because you are with me. Thank you for your goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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Philippians Devotionals

Not there yet

PhilippiansHope

Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. (Philippians 3:12-15)

As Christians, we are always growing, but as long as we are on this earth, we will never “arrive.”

Paul certainly never thought of himself as having “arrived.” But each day he sought to know Jesus more and to become more like him in every way.

But even in his “reaching forward” and “pursuing,” Paul remembered two things.

First, he was accepted by God not because of his own righteousness, but because of Christ’s. By Paul putting his faith in Jesus and His work on the cross, Christ’s record of righteousness became Paul’s record of righteousness (9).

Put another way, his “report card of righteousness” showed all “A”s .

And because of that, he was not striving to attain God’s love and acceptance. He already had it.

Rather, he was overjoyed that God had taken hold of him and had a plan for his life. And out of that joy, he wanted to take hold of everything in life God had prepared for him.

Second, he remembered all his efforts would not be in vain. That though he would never attain perfection in this world, the day would come when he would become just like the Lord he loved. (21)

Paul lived each day in that hope.

Let us all live in with that same hope as well, living in his grace each day, growing to be more like Jesus, and taking hold of the good plan for which he took hold of us.

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Philippians Devotionals

That we might shine as lights in this world

PhilippiansHope

…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life. (Philippians 2:12-16)

Father, you have given us the gift of salvation. Just like you saved Joshua and the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, you have saved us from slavery to Satan’s kingdom.

Now like Joshua, we fall before you in worship and awe, saying, “What does my Lord want to say to his servant.” (Joshua 5:14)

Lord, we are your church, your people. Now work in us to will and to work for your good pleasure, to bring about your kingdom here in Japan. Help us to join in with what you’re doing today.

We live in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.

Help us to shine like stars in in this world, not compromising your Word in any way as so many people in this world are doing.

Instead, help us to hold fast to it. Because it is your word that gives us and this world life.

Lord, let us, your church, be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish. Let our lives not be marked by grumbling and disputing among ourselves, but by your love.

And as the people around us see the love we have for each other, let them be drawn to you.

We pray for this nation. We pray for our loved ones. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Philippians Devotionals

With thanksgiving

PhilippiansHope

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

…The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

“With.”

A tiny little word, but one that made me think this morning.

When, we’re feeling anxious, prayers and petitions come pouring out of our mouths quite readily.

Paul doesn’t say this shouldn’t be the case. Quite the contrary. He tells us to present our all our requests to God through prayers and petitions.

But he adds that one little word. Two, really.

“With thanksgiving.”

Along with our prayers and petitions should also come words of thanksgiving.

It all goes back to verse 4.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Even when we’re feeling anxious, rejoice! Give thanks.

Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in his goodness. Rejoice in his grace. Rejoice in the forgiveness we have through the cross. Rejoice in the fact that God now accepts us as his beloved children.

If I were to paraphrase verse 6, it would be this way:

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, not forgetting thanksgiving, but rejoicing in Him and his goodness, present your requests to God.”

And as we do, in the midst of our anxieties and trials, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (7)

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Philippians Devotionals

Christ took hold of me

PhilippiansHope

Christ took hold of me.

The Messiah took hold of me.

Think about those words for a minute.

For the Jews, the Christ, the Messiah was to be this Savior, this King, to restore all Israel.

I doubt that Paul as he grew up ever thought he would say, “The Messiah took hold of me.”

That would be too personal. No way did Paul ever think the Messiah would have that personal a relationship with him.

But that’s what happened on the Damascus road. At a time when Paul hated Jesus, when he was trying to destroy Christ’s church, Jesus grabbed a hold of him and turned his world upside-down.

And now, Paul’s whole life was centered around Christ. Look at how many times he refers to Christ in just 5 verses from verses 7-11. I count ten times.

In what way did Jesus grab hold of your life? Do you stand in wonder of it as Paul did?

It is that wonder that caused Paul to pursue Jesus as he did, to strive to take hold of Jesus and Jesus’ plan for him.

Honestly, I don’t think on it enough. And perhaps that’s why I don’t pursue him nearly as much as I should.

Think about it: “Christ took hold of me.”

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Philippians Devotionals

Working out our own salvation

PhilippiansHope

It can be easy sometimes to criticize other Christians. I know I do.

Sometimes we look at the people we disciple or the people in our church. Sometimes we look at Christians in the news. We see the things they do, and we get angry or frustrated with them.

But Paul says,

…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)

Paul doesn’t tell us to work out other people’s salvation. He tells us to work out our own. And we are to do so with fear and trembling. Why?

Because if we are honest with ourselves, the only reason we can stand before God is because of his grace.

That should cause us to tremble before God, in fear and thanksgiving. Fear, because we know that we deserve nothing but judgment from him. Thanksgiving because he instead shows us grace.

And as we tremble before God’s grace, it makes us that much more inclined to show grace and patience to the Christians around us.

So rather than criticizing other Christians, let us look at ourselves. Tremble in fear. Tremble in gratitude.

And know that in us and the Christians around us, God is working in us to will and to act according to his good purpose. None of us are complete or perfect yet. But as Paul said in chapter 1,

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

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Philippians Devotionals

A prayer for those facing a new season

PhilippiansHope

Here in Japan, spring is a new season for people in more than one way. April is not only a turning of the weather, but a time when students start a new school year and people start new jobs or change jobs.

For me personally, I’m facing change as well.

After having worked at the same high school for seven years, I will start working at three junior high schools come this April. A big change to be sure.

And so as I read Philippians 1, Paul’s prayer touched my heart.

It’s a prayer I pray for myself as I head into this new season,

And for those of you who are heading into a new season of life, I pray for you as well, especially those of you facing big decisions.

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. (Philipians 1:9-11)

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Philippians Devotionals

When we rejoice

PhilippiansHope

I wrote last week about how we are commanded to rejoice.

We see it again in this passage.

And as I read it, it made me think, “What happens when we rejoice?”

First and foremost, it gets our eyes on Jesus and all the good that we have in him.

The result?

It helps us be more gracious to those who are hard to get along with. (Philippians 4:1-3, 5)

It reminds us that the Lord is near. (4)

It takes away anxiety in our lives and reminds us that God is worthy of our trust. (5-6)

It gives us peace. (7)

So as Paul said, let us rejoice in the Lord. Let us rejoice in the Lord who is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. (8)

Or as David put it,

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)

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Philippians Devotionals

Because Christ took hold of me.

PhilippiansHope

As I read this passage, it made me think about a wrong way of thinking that many Christians have.

What is that way of thinking?

“I need to get God to accept me. I’m not worthy of his love, so I have to prove it to him.”

As a result, when they fall (and we all fall), many Christians get discouraged.

But Paul says something very important in verse 12. He indeed strove for perfection in his life. His desire was to become like Jesus in every way.

But why? To earn God’s favor?

No. Because Jesus had already taken hold of him (Philippians 3:12). Because Jesus already loved him and saved him. Because Jesus had already clothed Paul with His righteousness (9).

And that’s why Paul didn’t get discouraged when he sinned. That’s why he didn’t just give up despite his struggles to be like Jesus.

Instead, he could say,

Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. (Philipians 3:13-14)

Because God already accepted and loved him, whenever Paul fell, he just kept getting up and pushing forward.

That’s the Christian life. We don’t have to wonder if we’ll ever “arrive” as Christians. That’s guaranteed. Not because of what we do. But because of what Jesus has already done.

So like Paul, don’t get discouraged by your sin and your failures. Simply get up, dust yourself off, and keep pushing forward.

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Philippians Devotionals

Kingdom people

PhilippiansHope

Recently, I’ve been thinking about discipleship and what it means. What kind of people are we trying to raise? When Jesus raised his disciples, what kind of people was he trying to raise?

The best words I could put to it was: kingdom people.

What are kingdom people?

They are people who see life through a whole new perspective, and as a result, have totally different priorities as well.

When you look at the Sermon on the Mount in particular, but also all the other things Jesus taught, you see that he was trying to completely change the way his disciples thought.

He taught them that the Kingdom of God was not for those the world considers spiritual supermen and superwomen.

It’s for those who lack any “qualifications” for being loved and accepted by God (Matthew 5:3).

It’s for those who struggle with pain in their life (Matthew 5:4).

It’s for people who struggle with sin and yet hunger for thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

It is those people that Jesus says are blessed.

And as we see God’s grace and mercy in their lives, we go out and show mercy to others (Matthew 5:7).

Jesus opens our eyes and says, “Look at the fields ripe for harvest! Look at all the broken people out there! Ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers out into the harvest field.” (Matthew 9:36-38; John 4:35-38)

But as we pray that, he desires that we ourselves would say, “Here am I. Send me.”

And so Paul says, 2 Corinthians 5:14-16,

For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If one died for all, then all died.

And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way.

That’s the perspective of a kingdom person. They view Christ differently now. Because Jesus died for them, it sparks love in their hearts and a desire to live for him.

And with that love and desire, comes a new perspective on the people around them. They start seeing people as Jesus did.

That’s why Paul could say in this passage,

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

His desire was to please Jesus. And as long as Paul was on this earth, he wanted to touch others for Jesus, bringing them into his kingdom and seeing them grow as kingdom people. (Philippians 1:22-25).

And so Paul challenges us,

As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. (1:27)

In short, “Live as kingdom people.”

Take on Jesus’ perspective.

Take on his priorities.

I don’t know about you, but that’s what I pray for myself.

Because that’s the kind of person I want to be.

And that’s the kind of disciples I want to raise.

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Philippians Devotionals

How our awe of God affects our attitudes

PhilippiansHope

I did want to write one last thing (for now about our awe of God).

It should affect our attitudes.

It strikes me that with Euodia and Syntyche that was one thing they were lacking in their spat with one another.

What exactly they were fighting about we don’t know, but one thing is clear: instead of looking at him, they were looking at themselves and each other.

How often do I do the same? I fail to stand in awe of God, so my focus turns inward, thinking about my rights, my “righteousness,” and what I deserve.

More, I start criticizing others for not measuring up to my standards.

Awe should also affect how we see our problems.

We remember that the Lord is near, and so we aren’t anxious about anything. Instead, with confidence and faith, we place all our needs before our Father, knowing that he will take care of them.

Right now, I have no huge worries, but I have in the past, and they were times of major stress for me. But God saw me through.

I’d like to think that I’ve learned my lesson, but when the next crisis hits, will I be anxious, totally stressing out about my situation? Or will I rest?

More, awe should keep us content in the midst of hardship.

Instead of complaining about what we don’t have, we worship and praise God for what we do have, particularly our salvation, but also the many other blessings that we so often take for granted.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

Lord, help me to do just that.

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Philippians Devotionals

Rejoicing in the Lord

PhilippiansHope

Recently, I preached a message on standing in awe of God. And so as I have been reading through Philippians, I see that theme everywhere.

It struck me as I read chapters 3 and 4, that in rejoicing in the Lord, (which is a major theme of this letter), we show our awe of God.

How do we rejoice in the Lord?

1. We worship him by the Spirit of God (Philippians 3:3). The Spirit that causes us to cry out “Abba, Father!” The Spirit that lets us know that we are truly God’s children. (Romans 8:15).

2. We “glory” in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:3). Because I am in Japan, I often look at the Japanese Bible, and the translation there pulls out another meaning of “glory.” It says we “boast” in Jesus.

What exactly do we boast about?

We boast of who he is.

King of Kings.

Lord of Lords.

Creator.

Redeemer.

We boast in what he has done. That through the cross, he paid our debt of sin.

We boast, not in our own righteousness, but his righteousness that he now clothes us with. (Philippians 3:9)

So in worshiping God through the Spirit and boasting in Jesus, we show our awe of him and rejoice in him.

As we consider him, what other things do we rejoice about?

We rejoice in the surpassing worth of knowing him personally, and him knowing us personally. Everything else is like dung compared to him. All our righteousness. All our efforts. All our accomplishments. (3:4-8)

We rejoice in the honor of suffering for his name as the apostles did. (10)

We rejoice in the fact that Jesus has taken hold of us and made us his own. (12)

We rejoice that we are part of his kingdom. (20)

And we rejoice in the fact that one day we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (21)

So each day, let us stand in awe of God. And as Paul says,

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (4:4)

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Philippians Devotionals

The grace of ministry

PhilippiansHope

When I was reading Philippians 1 this week, it struck me that Paul saw ministry as a grace he received.

He said, “you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:7)

For him, to spread the gospel to the Gentiles was a grace received from God. To do ministry in his own prison, that was grace from God too. And by the Philippians supporting him financially, they were participating in God’s grace of ministry.

How often do we see ministry as a gift from God? We usually see it as service. As something we do for God.

But when we see it that way, it’s easy to start becoming proud. “Look at what I’m doing for God!”

But ministry is a grace we receive from God. We don’t deserve to be used by God. We’re sinners. We fail. We make mistakes. And yet God in his grace says, “Won’t you join me in my work.”

He didn’t have to use us. He didn’t have to give us spiritual gifts so we could serve. But in his grace, he lets us join him in his work.

How about you? Do you stand in wonder that God lets you join in his kingdom work? Or do you somehow think it’s something to brag about?

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Philippians Devotionals

Working out your own salvation

PhilippiansHope

I was reading John 21 yesterday, and as I read this passage, I was reminded of it.

Paul told the Philippians,

Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13)

“Work out your own salvation.”

Those words “your own” really struck me. So often we are looking at others and comparing ourselves with them.

We look at them and envy their gifts or position.

We look at them and criticize their faults.

We see the things God wants us to do, but we point at others and say, “What about them? Aren’t they supposed to do something?”

But all this comparison and criticizing leads to the disunity that Paul speaks against at the beginning of this chapter.

So he says, “Work out your own salvation.”

Don’t waste your time comparing yourself with other people. Look at what God’s doing in your life.

Look at what he’s telling you to do and do them.

Look at the sins in your own life that he is convicting your heart about and turn from them.”

Or as Jesus told Peter, “What is your business what my plans are for John? You follow me.”

The thing is, as we work out our own salvation without looking at other people, it strips away a lot of our excuses and a lot of our criticisms of others. Instead, we are face to face with Jesus and our own weaknesses and sins.

And that should cause us to tremble. Because then we realize just how much we are reliant on his grace: in our battles against sin, in our ministry, in everything we do.

We realize we would be nothing if God were not working in us to will and to act according to his own good purpose.

And with that comes humility.

Instead of attacking other people for their weaknesses and criticizing them for their faults, we start extending to them the grace we ourselves have received.

Instead of envying them, we thank God that just as he is working in us, he is working in them. We are grateful for their gifts and what God is doing through them.

Instead of competing with them, trying to prove ourselves better than them, we start seeing them as more important than ourselves and start looking out for their interests ahead of our own.

Lord, help me to see your grace in my life…and tremble. I deserve nothing from you but death and condemnation. And yet you saved me. Let me live each day by that grace.

Don’t let me waste me time looking around at other people and criticizing or envying them. Help me to look toward you and follow you.

May your whole church be that way, remembering your grace, and then extending that grace to each other. Rejoicing in each other’s victories. Supporting each other when they fall. Treating each other as more important than themselves.

But again, start with me. Let me be that way. In Jesus name, amen.

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Philippians Devotionals

Partakers of grace

PhilippiansHope

I’ve been meditating this morning on Philippians 1, but especially on verse 7.

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (ESV)

“Partakers of grace with me.”

I think it’s interesting how “grace” is used in this chapter and the kinds of grace Paul talks about. But the words “with me,” strike me.

We could see them in two ways.

Paul might be saying, “Not just I, but you too are a partaker of grace.” And that’s probably how he means it.

But he could also be saying, “You’re a partaker of God’s grace. You definitely need it every day. But you know, I’m a partaker of grace too. I need God’s grace just as much as you do.”

And I think Paul would definitely have affirmed that.

I will be honest. It’s easy for me when I’m writing for my blog or preparing a message to preach to think about other people that I know. “They need to hear this.”

That may be true, but the danger comes when I stop looking at myself. The Bible stops being a mirror for me. And the result is I forget my need for grace.

But I desperately need it too.

God, open my eyes to my desperate need for you.

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Philippians Devotionals

Living by grace

PhilippiansHope

Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9)

Those are pretty remarkable words, don’t you think?

“Do you want the God of peace to be with you? Do what you have learned, heard, and seen in me.”

I don’t know that I would have the confidence to say that. And yet, perhaps the greatest lesson Paul taught the Philippians and all the other churches he ministered to was living by grace.

To not feel the pressure of performing in order to be approved by God. Rather, being fully confident that Christ had already made him righteous in God’s eyes. (Philippians 3:2-9)

To live rejoicing each day in the grace he had received. Not only in the grace of the cross, but in the grace to live each day, whether facing plenty or hunger, abundance and need. (4:12-13)

And because of the grace he had received, he was willing to pour it out on those around him, even when they didn’t “measure up” to his expectations, disagreed with him, or were even downright hostile to him. (1:15-17)

Was Paul perfect in living by grace? Probably not. He had problems showing grace to Mark earlier in his ministry (Acts 15:37-39).

But he learned (2 Timothy 4:11).

And he continued to learn to live by grace each day. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

May we all live lives marked by that same grace.

And may others see the grace that marks our lives and seek to know that grace as well.

If we do, truly the God of peace will be with us all.

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Philippians Devotionals

Rejoicing in Jesus

PhilippiansHope

“So on a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your walk with God this week?”

I used to hear this question a lot when I was in high school in the discipleship group I was in.

A ten might be a week where you read your Bible and prayed every day, you went to church on Sunday, you shared your faith with someone, and you had victory over sin.

A one would be where you did none of that. Typically, people in our group would fall somewhere between 3 and 7.

But looking back, I think it is a bad question.

Why?

I think it tends to make us feel like our acceptance by God is performance-based. And that question can get us into trouble in two ways.

If we’re doing “well,” it’s easy to fall into pride.

“Yes, I was a pretty good Christian this week. God must be really pleased with me. Oh, you didn’t read your Bible this week? You didn’t pray? Well, you better get with it.”

If on the other hand we had a bad week, we either think, “I gotta do better! I will do better!” putting pressure on ourselves to “perform” as Christians (usually by picking ourselves up by our own bootstraps).

Or we get discouraged because no matter how hard we try, we never seem to get better.

But God is not constantly putting us on a scale and weighing our performance. He’s not saying, “Oh, you really messed up this week. You’re only a 3 this week.” Nor does he say, “Hey, you shared your faith this week! That’s a 10 for you!”

Instead, Jesus tells us, “I have chosen you, taken hold of you, and made you my own.

“You don’t need to strive to make yourself righteous in my sight. The righteousness you have is not something that comes from your own striving and efforts. You are righteous in the Father’s eyes because of what I have done for you on the cross.

“So forget the scales. Forget how you failed this week. I know you have sinned. But I have already paid the price for your failure. So get up and press forward.”

Why can we rejoice in Jesus?

Because we are already righteous in God’s eyes through Jesus’ work.

Because Jesus has already called us and made us his own.

And because one day, we will be transformed into his image, with all our sins and failures completely washed away, and filled with his glory.

So rejoice in Jesus!

Understand the surpassing worth of knowing him as your Lord.

Rejoice in his work on the cross!

Rejoice that you are his!

And stand firm, not in your own efforts to be righteous, but in him and his love for you.

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Philippians Devotionals

The affection of Christ

PhilippiansHope

For some reason, this verse struck me as I read it.

For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:8)

Oftentimes, we talk about the “love of Christ” for us so much that we almost become numb to it.

Perhaps that’s why Paul’s word choice struck me.

The word he uses for “affection” usually refers to the intestines, which may seem strange to us.

But in the Greek culture, the intestines were considered the source of compassion, tenderness, and love, much as people talk about the heart today.

In other words, Christ has a deep emotional connection towards us. When he sees us, that is his heart towards us.

And Paul told the Philippians that he shared that same affection toward them that Christ himself had for them.

The question is, how often do we see our brothers and sisters in Christ with that same affection, compassion, tenderness, and love?

Although there doesn’t seem to be the same level of disunity in the Philippian church as there was in the Corinthian church, there did seem to be some friction among some of the brothers and sisters in Philippi (see 4:2, for example).

And so Paul urged them to lay that aside their pride and selfishness, and with the same affection they had received from Christ (2:1), to be one with another, humbly serving  each other.

Instead of grumbling against and arguing with one another, Paul called them to act as children of God, who shine out in a world where there is so much friction and conflict between people. (2:14-15)

That’s what it means for the people of God to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling.”  (2:12)

For Paul, this was not merely an individual working out of one’s salvation (although that is important too). It was God’s people working out the salvation they had received in their love for one another.

How about you? How do you see your brothers and sisters at church? Do you see them with the same affection that Jesus has for them?