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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 30 June 2023:
Note: Here is a short video overview of Philippians: https://youtu.be/oE9qqW1-BkU
Isaiah 56:1 — Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed.
Our life lived in grace is an opportunity to live in a way that brings honor and glory to a righteous and just God.
“Do what is right.” This morning in Isaiah 55 God offers an “invitation to the thirsty” commanding, “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:7) In Isaiah 56 God proclaims, “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.” (Isaiah 56:1) Proverbs 1 explains that the purpose of the Proverbs is to equip God’s people with wisdom and prudence to do “what is right, just, and fair (Proverbs 1:3),” and the first book of Proverbs includes “wisdom’s rebuke” to “Repent!” (Proverbs 1:23). Finally, in Hebrews 13, Paul urges his readers to “bear with my word of exhortation (Hebrews 13:22)” to “have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way (Hebrews 13:18)” – Love one another, show hospitality to strangers, share in the suffering of others, remain pure, be content, trust in the Lord without fear, openly profess the name of Jesus, etc. But in his final comments, Paul reminds us that such a life is not possible in our own strength, but only through the power of God: “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21, 22) As Paul said, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Isaiah 56:5 — I will give them an everlasting name.
Those who endeavor to make a name for themselves on earth will, in the end, have no name at all. Those who build their identity upon Jesus will have an everlasting name. Legacy is left by those who obey God and teach others to obey (make disciples).
Isaiah 56:6 — And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants that shall not be cut off.
Life is about loving Jesus and serving Him on earth by loving others and drawing them closer to Jesus.
Isaiah 56:6-8 – “And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD,
and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Lord GOD,
who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”
God’s people are those who obey Him because they are His. Christians are disciples, followers of Jesus. However, may still call themselves Christians though they don’t follow Him – these are CHINOs, Christians In Name Only.
Isaiah 56:10-12 — His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all. “Come,” they say, “let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.”
Nations and churches fall when political and religious leaders stop warning of God’s demand for obedience and His judgement against unrighteousness but instead pursue selfish ambitions.
Philippians 1:1, 2 — Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus… Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s letter offers some very important insights into his perspective on our role in Christ: We are called to be servants and saints as Christ’s ambassadors on a mission of reconciliation, proclaiming grace and peace on behalf of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are all partners in the gospel, sharing in God’s grace. Christians have a heart for one another, continually and joyfully praying for one another as we all endeavor to grow more Christ-like each day and struggle to remain faithful to our calling under the great challenges presented by the world, the flesh, and the devil. As Christians (“people of the book”), we know that love must be accompanied by knowledge and insight so we can understand specifically what God’s will is in order to pursue purity and holiness and to truly live a life of fidelity, worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Our aim is to courageously and fearlessly proclaim the gospel, and we know that the more courageous we are, the more we inspire others to confidence (iron sharpens iron). We preach God’s truth not because we are judgmental “haters” but rather out of love and goodwill. We are not ashamed of the Gospel, and we are not afraid of the world’s response to our message, because we have already been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in us. Our suffering for the gospel is fellowship with Christ. Our suffering on behalf of Christ is for us a gift from God, and in faith, we stand firm in unity before a sinful world.
Philippians 1:6 — And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
You are a work in progress.
Philippians 1:7-11 — You are all partakers with me of grace…. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Living by Grace, we are called to grow day-by-day in ever-increasing love, purity, and righteousness, through the power of Christ in order to bring glory to Him. Grace is not an excuse to continue in sin.
Philippians 1:12-14 — I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
How do you view circumstances? How would you feel, and how would you react if you were persecuted and thrown into prison? Paul saw his imprisonment as a unique opportunity to spread the Gospel and to inspire courageousness and boldness in fellow Christians. Every day Paul was in prison, he was chained to two Praetorian guards (elite imperial guards) who operated in shifts. So every day, the guards had no choice but the hear the Gospel from Paul as he shared it with them, with fellow prisoners, and with other believers who visited him and with whom he corresponded. The guards were also first-hand witnesses to the effect of the Gospel on Paul’s character, attitude, and behavior.
So, what was the impact of Paul’s imprisonment? Later, Paul will write to the Philippians, “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.” (Philippians 4:21, 22) Christianity was spreading in Caesar’s household because Paul served as Christ’s ambassador in chains there! And we can only imagine how members of Caesar’s household, such as the imperial guards who were eventually transferred, subsequently spread the Gospel throughout Rome and beyond.
Ironically, Paul’s chains gave him the freedom to share the Gospel where others couldn’t and to spread the Gospel broadly without personally going anywhere. And Paul’s powerful example emboldened other Christians to spread the Gospel where they were. How might God be orchestrating circumstances in your life so you can spread the Gospel where others can’t? Are you making the most of your opportunities and inspiring other Christians to do the same?
Philippians 1:15-16 — Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love.
There are those who use the word of God for the wrong motives. But Bible doesn’t tell us to just speak the truth but rather to “speak the truth in love.” God knows everyone’s motives and judges the heart. Check your own heart before you challenge others with the word of God; make sure you are not being motivate by fear, pride, anger, envy, or anything other than love.
Philippians 1:24, 25 — My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
In Christ, our only goal for life on earth should be to grow closer to Christ and to bring others closer to Christ. Nothing else really matters. To draw closer to Christ, you must obey Him. If you obey Him, all the issues of life will be resolved.
Philippians 1:27-28 — Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ… standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.
God intends for you to “strive” with other Christians to advance the Gospel with boldness. Striving is no small effort. The Greek word used here is “sunathleō,” from where we get the word “athletics.” The root word athleō was used of gladiators fighting in the arena. Paul pictured us fighting together, side by side in the arena of this world in a life and death battle to advance the gospel – “and not frightened in anything by your opponents.” Are you courageously striving for the Gospel? Who is fighting at your side?
Philippians 1:29 — For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.
Suffering for God is a special trust granted to you by God Himself. You should be honored to suffer for Him.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 30 June 2023: In all your circumstances, look for the opportunity God has orchestrated for you to share the Gospel with someone who needs to hear it.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 