My Morning Meal

Paul wraps up his letter to the church at Philippi with an acknowledgment of the financial support they had provided him. You don’t get the sense from the Paul’s letters that he spent a lot of time “raising support” for his mission . . . but you do pick up on the fact that Paul seemed to placed great value on the giving of one’s means to help other believers. And in these last verses in Philippians, Paul doesn’t just say, “Thank you.” Instead the Holy Spirit through Paul brings wonderful spiritual perspective to the act of meeting needs.

Paul says that he “rejoiced in the Lord greatly” at the renewed practical concern shown him through the generosity of the church at Phillip. And I don’t think the rejoicing was so much a result of, “Whew!!! Sure glad that bill got paid!” . . . for Paul says that he had learned to be content whatever his circumstances, whether living in plenty or living in want . . . and that it really wasn’t “the support” that enabled him for ministry, but rather the reality that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. (Php. 4:10-13)

So Paul’s rejoicing was less about having his needs met for the day . . . but about the implications for the givers in THAT day. He rejoiced because their giving to him would have eternal consequences for them.

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. (Philippians 4:17 ESV)

For Paul, though the check to his missionary fund was appreciated, what really jazzed him was the thought of the deposit being made in the B of H (Bank of Heaven) . . . the NKJV translates it “the fruit that abounds to your account.”

Their giving, their acts of kindness, their determined joining with Paul in such practical terms, had an eternal, spiritual dimension . . . being accrued to a yet-to-be-cashed-in spiritual account. The giving of wealth on earth was being matched with an unimaginable giving program in heaven. It’s true . . . living for Jesus here and now results in reward there and then.

And while I don’t think we should be motivated by greedily building up a big “investment trust” in heaven with each dollar we give, I do think we should remember that God “is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints” (Heb. 6:10) and that He will reward that which is done in His name and for His kingdom. We should have an eternal perspective tied to worldly stewardship . . . mindful that what we do for Jesus now will factor into our experience beyond this world.

Paul tells Timothy to remind those who are “rich in this present age” that . . .

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1Timothy 6:18-19 ESV)

Storing up treasures . . . fruit credited to my account . . . building up a good foundation for that day when I am in His presence . . .

Oh that I might be mindful that I am putting away for a reigning day . . . for His glory alone. Amen?

It seems that when Fragrant and Fate got together there was fire! Both were women of God . . . both had labored side by side with Paul in the work of the gospel . . . both attended the gathering of believers in Philippi . . . but when they were together, Euodia (i.e. Fragrant) and Syntche (i.e Fate) might as well have been Nitro and Glycerin. That sometimes even the most spiritual people can get on one another’s nerves probably isn’t a surprise to anyone who has spent time hangin’ out with “saints below” . . . as in, “To dwell above, with saints we love — won’t that be glory! But to dwell below, with saints we know — now that’s a different story!”

While it’s true that two spiritually minded people can be like iron sharpening iron (Prov. 27:17), it’s also true that, at times, those same two spiritually minded people can be like sandpaper rubbing against sandpaper — a reminder that we are “not there yet” . . . and still works in progress.

That appears to have been the case with these two godly servants at Philippi. And, it seems, it had become a pretty big deal . . . perhaps impacting the church body. Whatever was going on between them, Paul wanted it to stop and the Spirit wanted it recorded for the benefit of future generations of believers. Paul encourages them to “agree in the Lord” (ESV) . . . to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (NKJV) . . . even calling on an unidentified “true companion” to intervene and “help these women” (Php. 4:2-3).

Strife between Christians is understandable, but never helpful. It’s not helpful to the individual . . . it’s hard and distracting to be at odds with someone else . . . especially a fellow believer. It’s not helpful to the work of the kingdom as it takes energy away from getting the work done. And, it’s not helpful to the testimony or witness of Christ in the lives of those who claim to be “new creations in Christ” and filled with the love of God.

And it’s under the shadow of this umbrella that Paul offers some counsel . . . three tips for getting along . . . a bit of God-breathed advice.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.    (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)

Rejoice in the Lord always . . . let your reasonableness, or your gentleness be known . . . do not be anxious about anything.

And, as I noodle on it, I wonder if command number 2 isn’t the main event . . . and that “be gentle” is sandwiched between “be joyful” and “be not anxious” because when those two are clicking it results in the third . . . and together they become the “full meal deal.”

A gentle spirit . . . that’s what will ease the tension . . . a spirit which is mild . . . a spirit that is patient . . . a spirit that is moderate or reasonable. Gentleness should so characterize the believer that those around us will see it. That’s the spirit of our Lord Jesus . . . “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). Humbleness of heart leads to gentleness . . . gentleness leads to harmony . . . harmony results in a good witness to others. To take serious the exhortation to be gentle is “the meat” . . . but it’s enveloped with some pretty amazing “bread.”

Seems intuitive that it’s easier to be gentle and gracious when, within ourselves, we are joyful and at peace. When I’m bent out of shape, I can be a little testy (don’t wanna hear any “Amen, brothers” from my family). But when I can, in the Lord, rejoice always . . . and when I know, in Christ Jesus, the peace of God that passes all understanding and am anxious for nothing . . . then, I’m thinkin’, gentleness flows naturally . . . or rather, it flows supernaturally.

To rest in the Lord’s faithfulness and rejoice in Him at all times . . . to take everything to the Lord in prayer and know our the reality of anxiety giving way to a peace which is beyond reality . . . this is what will nurture and fuel a spirit of gentleness . . . this is what will enable our reasonableness to be known to everyone . . . and, in turn, promote and maintain a spirit of unity . . . and bring God to glory.

That’s the full meal deal . . . amen?

It seems that wherever Paul went preaching the gospel of freedom, there were those who followed with the “freedom plus” plan. Paul declared that righteousness before God was made possible by faith in the works of Another . . . these others supplemented that good news with an assertion that true righteousness was found by additionally adhering to the commands of the law . . . particularly that of being circumcised. But whether male or female, the implications of this “enhanced gospel” was that the work of Christ on the cross needed to be perfected by a full-out, all-in adherence to the law of righteousness as defined and practiced by the religious elite of the day. Effort was required . . . works were necessary . . . the flesh was key to knowing full acceptance before God. And to this Paul simply said, “No Confidence!”

For we are the real circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh . . .    (Philippians 3:3 ESV)

Paul said if it were about relying on our best efforts then he had reason to be confident . . . born and circumcised of the people of Israel . . . his lineage traced to the tribe of Benjamin . . . a Hebrew through and through. When it came to the law, He had attained the ranking of Pharisee . . . one of the few that graduated through the ranks as a religious scholar of noteworthy potential . . . deserving of the best teachers and tutors . . . evidencing that he had the right stuff to lead from the platform. But even beyond that, he was driven by a zeal like few others . . . so zealous, in fact, that he went after those who preached the heresy of a new way founded on the purported resurrection of the Carpenter of Nazareth. Bottom line, says Paul, “As to righteousness under the law, blameless” (3:4-6).

But at the end of the day, big deal! Through his encounter with Jesus on the road . . . and his time spent at “Paradise U” (2Cor. 12:2-4), being given a one-on-one crash course in the things of righteousness by the Lord Jesus Himself (Gal. 1:11-12) . . . Paul realized that there was no advantage in boasting in the works of the flesh . . . in fact, it could only result in bondage. Instead, Paul deemed whatever gains he had made through the efforts of his self-righteousness to be “counted as loss” . . . a write-off . . . of no eternal value. He had given the works of his flesh a vote of “No Confidence” and instead focused on “gaining Christ” . . .

and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith . . .    (Philippians 3:9 ESV)

Oh, praise God that the foundation for my salvation is not dependent on my religious fervor . . . that it’s not measured by my acts of righteousness . . . but that it solely and wholly is founded on the solid rock of the finished work of the spotless Lamb of God on my behalf.

He is my confidence . . . He is my surety . . . He is the one and only reason for God’s overflowing favor in this life and the one to come.

That I might beware of relying on self . . . of somehow resting in my works . . .

Instead, that I might worship by the Spirit of God . . . glory in the Son of God . . . and give unceasing thanks before the throne of God . . . putting no confidence in the flesh.

Amen?

This morning I’m reading in Philippians 2:12-18 and am reminded again that being saved is not just an event . . . something that occurred in the past . . . but it is a process. We WERE saved from the PENALTY and judgment of sin . . . the blood of Jesus atoning for all our sin, past, present, and future. And one day, we WILL BE saved from the PRESENCE of sin when we are taken out of this world to be with Jesus. But for now, we ARE BEING saved from the POWER of sin as we learn to walk in the Spirit . . . refusing the flesh . . . dying to the old man . . . learning to put on the new man . . . being conformed into the image of the Son of God . . . thinking more like Him . . . doing life, more and more, as Jesus would do life . . . working out this new life we’ve been given in Christ.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, 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.   (Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)

Work it out . . . pursue the faith . . . learn to let the Spirit run your life . . . figure out what “good works God has prepared in advance for you to do” (Eph. 2:10).

Paul would consider his labor in vain if those he led to the Lord didn’t actually look and live like children of God, shining as lights, and holding fast the word of life in the midst of a dark world (2:15-16). It wasn’t just about counting conversions, but it was about seeing disciples made . . . real, authentic “new creations in Christ.” And so Paul says to the Philippians and to me, “Work out your own salvation.”

Work it out . . . put effort into it! Oh, how easy it is to float. But if I am to become “in Christ” what God has called me to be, it will be accomplished as I determine to work it out. Not that it’s about my power or my capability. No, the work which begun in the Spirit will be perfected in the Spirit . . . the work which was initiated by grace and made possible by the power of God through the cross of Christ will be completed by grace and the power of God through the cross of Christ. It’s by His grace . . . it’s by His power which resides in me . . . but it won’t happen apart from a sincere desire and a holy determination to submit to Him and work it out.

And Paul says it is my “own salvation.” It doesn’t necessarily look like everyone or anyone else’s. God works in me to will and do His good pleasure. So working it out is also figuring it out . . . what’s my gifting . . .what’s my calling . . . where does God want me to plug in . . . the answers may take a lifetime to fully realize . . . but I am to work it out.

Paul says do so with fear and trembling . . . and I think that’s because one day I’ll be standing before Jesus and giving an account for what I did with the “free gift of salvation” He gave me . . . “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2Cor. 5:10).

How we choose to live for Christ — or not — matters . . . so work it out. And working it out is what makes the Christian life so exciting . . . this is what can jazz us about being His . . . as we see glimpses of Christ actually coming through in us . . . as we actually start hearing the still small voice of the Spirit prompting us . . . as we see the hand of God at work in and around us . . . as we fall deeper and deeper in love with Jesus. Not that we don’t experience our failings and fallings and set backs . . . but, by His all sufficient grace, we keep working it out . . .and He keeps becoming more and more real.

Work it out . . . by the grace of God . . . for the glory of God.

The first eleven verses of Philippians 2 never cease to grab me . . . they always cause me to slow down and consider the high calling of humility on the life of a believer . . . and the high example set by the Savior. Because of what I have come to experience as a sinner saved by grace . . . because I have known “encouragement in Christ” . . . “comfort from love” . . . “participation in the Spirit” . . . “affection and sympathy” . . . in light of such unmerited favor from heaven itself, I am to respond in kind (2:1-2).

I am to do nothing . . . nil . . . nada . . . nyet . . . no thing from a place of selfish ambition or ego. In humility . . . in lowliness of mind . . . from a deep sense of my own littleness, I am to put others before myself. While I have a number of things to take care for my own well being, they are not to be to the exclusion of considering the needs of others (2:3-4). Kind of a high bar . . . if there’s any one thing that reminds me that I am a work in progress it’s considering how prone I am to be fueled by self-image and self-consideration.

And then there’s the example . . . Christ Jesus . . .

. . . Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  
                                                                                   (Philippians 2:6-8 ESV)

Oh, what selflessness! Oh, what sacrifice! Oh, what a Savior!

How could I ever emulate such humility?

So here’s my “aha” from this morning’s reading. In other bible translations I’m familiar with, I’m exhorted that my “attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (NIV) . . . that I am to “let this mind be in you which also was in Christ Jesus” (NKJV). But the ESV is a little different in it’s translation . . . and with that difference comes a huge implication . . .

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus . . .   
                                                                                      (Philippians 2:5a ESV)

Do you see the difference? It’s not that I have to start to power my way to thinking like Christ . . . instead I need to start yielding to the mind of Christ which I already possess in Him. The mind of humility . . . the mind that released all claim to heavenly glory . . . the mind that willing accepted the role of bond servant . . . that mind is mine in Christ Jesus. To the Corinthians, Paul writes that “we have the mind of Christ” (1Cor. 2:16) . . . and that mind is the mind of selfless submission and service to others.

Thus, mine is to declare along with John the baptizer, “He must increase, I must decrease.” In yielding more to Him, I will think more like Him. In pursuing more of Him, I will act more like Him. In considering afresh the reality and implications of His cross, it will become more natural to lay down my will for the sake of others. As is so true with the things of the gospel, it is not about my ability but about His power . . . not about my manufactured humility, but about being conformed to His image by His grace through the sanctifying work of the Spirit (Rom. 8:29).

But we have the mind of Christ . . . oh, that it may show . . . in humility . . . in service . . . in a life-directing desire to bring glory to Him who alone is worthy.

Amen?