~Daily Devotion 14th~

Tonight we will finish up the study of Philippians. I hope that you enjoy the study as much as I enjoyed studying and sharing with you.

The dominant note throughout the letter is that of triumphant joy, Paul, though a prisoner, was happy, and as I said earlier in the week, Paul called upon his readers to rejoice in Christ always. No matter your circumstances rejoice.

For Paul, Christ is the sum and substance of life. To preach Christ was his consuming passion, to know Him was his highest aspiration; and to suffer for Him was a privilege. His chief desire for his readers was that they might have the mind of Christ. To support his exhortation for self[forgetting humility, the apostle describes the attitude of Christ that moved Him to renounce the glory of heaven and suffer and die for our salvations. This is also what my sum and substance of life is, to preach Christ.

6. Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7. but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.

8. And being found in appearance as a man,
      he humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!

9. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,

10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."

In doing so, he presents the most concise statement in the New Testament concerning the pre-existence, the incarnation, and the exaltation of Christ. Both the deity and the humanity of Christ are stressed.

The Holy Spirit's work in three areas is mentioned in the letter. First Paul declared that the Spirit of Jesus Christ will direct the accomplishment of God's purpose in hi own experience.

19. for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance."

1. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion."

Common participation in Him breeds singleness of purpose and maintains a community of love. Then, in contrast to the lifeless ritual observance of formalists, the Holy Spirit inspires and directs the worship of true believers.

3. "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—"

So, we see while Paul's primary reason for writing the letter was to acknowledge the gift sent by the Philippians. Paul also appealed for a spirit of unity and steadfastness among them. In addition, he warned against dangerous heresies that were threatening them, probably Judaism and Gnosticism.

We should take in mind today, that there are still heresies that are threatening us. When we look at the place we are in today in this world with war, terrorists, government officials in scandal, we see we are facing the attacks of satan.

We should pray, read our scriptures, fellowship with other Christians, and stay in unity to share the Gospel of Christ with the world.

When I was in Louisiana, I learned of two large churches (Over 200 in attendance) that use to be strong for the Lord, now closed. Why? They cannot keep a Pastor, because of the people running the church and not God. Everytime they get a Pastor who is on fire and doing good, and bringing new convert in, the board votes the minister out. They do not want to lose control. What a shame. Because of these circumstances the conference for the churches cannot even get a Pastor to accept the position in these churches, for they are afraid they will get voted out. What a shame, what a shame. The churches have now locked the doors and sit empty on Sunday Mornings.