Devotional on Philippians

2014 – dunes south of Florence, OR

Watching others preach the gospel

Philippians 1: Iā€™ve decided that I really donā€™t care about their motives.

The first one out there, traveling from city to city preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ was Paul. Heā€™s already a living legend among the Christians. For over twenty years heā€™s been faithful through thick and thin, through good days and bad. Actually, he doesnā€™t label ā€œgood and badā€ as most people do. Right now heā€™s in jail and youā€™d think heā€™d call that ā€œbad.ā€ Instead, he happily explains that his being locked up has resulted in a lot of good things. People who wouldnā€™t have heard the gospel otherwise have literally come to him asking him to tell them about Jesus. Others, who’ve been timid about their faith before have been inspired by his faithfulness and have stepped forward to tell others about the Lord. A few have mistakenly concluded that with Paul locked up thereā€™s a leadership void and are trying to fill his shoes, preaching about the Lord in hopes of gaining a leadership foothold in the church. That last group causes the great Apostle to reflect a bit on what itā€™s all about. Obviously, he doesnā€™t want false teachers out there preaching a false gospel. However, these folks, heā€™s concluded, are on target with their preaching and are only off target with their ambitions. Paulā€™s conclusion is that that stuff doesnā€™t matter as long as the gospel’s being preached. I canā€™t help but be impressed by Paulā€™s mature, focused attitude here. Heā€™s willing to give up his freedom and his reputation if it serves to advance the cause of Christ. Iā€™m reminded today that the Lord can accomplish great things through a person who doesnā€™t necessarily need to get the credit for what’s done.

Take Away: We do our best, leaving the results in the hands of the Lord.

Devotional on Philippians

2014 – dunes south of Florence, OR

Thank God for spiritual heroes

Philippians 2: Give him a grand welcome, a joyful embrace!

When the church at Philippi heard about Paulā€™s imprisonment they wanted to do something tangible to help him. They decided to send one of their own, a man named Epaphroditus, to Paul, likely carrying an offering for him. The arrival of this good man warmed Paulā€™s heart, greatly encouraging him. Then, to his dismay Epaphroditus became ill, sick enough to die. Although it was touch and go for a while Epaphroditus recovered completely. Now, Paul’s writing a letter to the Philippian church and he intends to have Epaphroditus deliver it, returning home. The Apostle tells them that Epaphroditus is a real hero, a great man of God. He urges them to give him a heroā€™s welcome, telling them ā€œpeople like him deserve the best you can give.ā€ As I read about Epaphroditus today Iā€™m reminded of some spiritual giants Iā€™ve known in my life. A few of them are well known, at least in some circles. Theyā€™ve received a fair amount of deserved recognition. Several, though, never made it to the big stage. In my case, they’re some pastors Iā€™ve known, either during my growing up years or as co-workers in the Kingdom. Some of these good people never pastored large churches and as far as I know never received any denominational rewards. Still, theyā€™ve encouraged me and Iā€™ve seen in them the heart of Jesus for their people. Today I remember a pastor who took time to sit down with a boy to explain sanctification in a way he could begin to grasp. I also remember a pastor who always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say to others even though he was going through some hard times. These are spiritual heroes who deserve a ā€œgrand welcome, a joyful embrace!ā€

Take Away: Thank God for the spiritual heroes who have influenced your life.

Devotional on Philippians

2014 – Along OR 101

What does it mean to have a genuine relationship with Christ?

Philippians 3: I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally.

A friend of mine commented that he was preparing to do a certain thing. His intention wasnā€™t to do something bad but it seemed to me that there was a superior course of action. In an off handed remark I asked, ā€œHave you asked the Lord about it?ā€ His response was, ā€œOh, the Lord understands.ā€ Later, I found myself thinking about the exchange in view of my own life. How often do I do whatever I want to do with the attitude: ā€œItā€™s okay, the Lord understands.ā€ Tell you what; I donā€™t treat my wife that way. When Iā€™m thinking about taking some out of the ordinary action I talk it over with her. Most of the time I could probably go ahead and she would ā€œunderstandā€ but the thing is that we have a relationship with one another that includes our respecting each other and valuing one anotherā€™s opinions on things. Surely, I should have a similar respectful, intimate relationship with the Lord. Thereā€™s a place for prayers along the lines of, ā€œLord, Iā€™m thinking about doing this, what do you think?ā€ The Apostle says he gave up a lot of stuff that he might have a personal relationship with Jesus. If I want to have a vital, real, living relationship with Jesus one of the things I must give up is having a self-willed, presumptive attitude toward him.

Take Away: Do we treat the Lord as a real person or as some abstract idea?

Devotional on Philippians

2014 – Pacific City, OR

Canā€™t we all just get along?

Philippians 4: I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up.

Everything we know about Euodia and Syntyche is found in this passage; thereā€™s not much. Two women have some differences, about what, we donā€™t know. These women have partnered with Paul in proclaiming the Good News. They’re faithful laborers in the vineyard of the Lord and their names are in the book of life. Paul urges a third party to get involved, helping them work through their differences. Thatā€™s about it. Paul doesnā€™t take sides and he declares both of these women as ā€œokayā€ in both his eyes and in the eyes of the Lord. So, what do we have here? First, thereā€™s the reminder that even the best of Godā€™s people can sometimes fail to get along. Godā€™s people, even the saved and sanctified ones, donā€™t always agree and sometimes their disagreements can be intense. Second, when we do disagree weā€™re to do all we can to work through it. That doesnā€™t necessarily mean that one person yields to the other, although it may mean exactly that. At some point, two Christians need to say, ā€œWeā€™ve got to work through this, otherwise, weā€™ll be diminished for it and Christā€™s kingdom will suffer.ā€ Third, sometimes it takes a third party, a mutual friend, respected by both to get the ball rolling. To tell the truth, I wouldnā€™t want to be Syzgus here. His name means ā€œyokefellow,ā€ thus, ā€œco-worker.ā€ What man wants to get between two women who need to ā€œiron out their differences and make upā€? The answer is: the kind of man who’s a real friend of, and is respected by, both women. Paul gives this good man the assignment of bringing these two together to work things out, not because their salvation’s in jeopardy, but because the journey is better together than it is apart, and, because when we’re real ā€œyokefellowsā€ we can accomplish more for God.

Take Away: If thereā€™s an unresolved issue between you and a fellow Christian, donā€™t pass ā€œgoā€ and ā€œdonā€™t collect $200ā€ until youā€™ve gone to them and worked it out.