Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Phillipians 3:17-4:1
17 Brothers and
sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the
example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of
Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19
Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in
their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But
our citizenship is in heaven, and it is
from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He
will transform the body of our humiliation
that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make
all things subject to himself. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,
stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
The
apostle Paul traveled constantly after his calling by Christ Jesus, making
disciples from Jerusalem to Rome. Paul also wrote letters to the congregations
he began. Philippians is one of his best—teaching new Christians to pray,
preach, teach and live. Paul makes the risky claim that members of the
congregation should imitate him, knowing that he is not perfect, but also that
righteousness is solely from God. Do you
remember the old question, “What are you giving up for Lent?” We thought we
were supposed to deprive ourselves and please God by suffering. Why not instead
give up the bad things we say or think or do? Gordon Lathrop, professor
emeritus at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, suggests that we
really should call Lent a “joyful fast.” Isn’t that what Paul is urging the
Philippians to do in these verses?
Dear Lord, help us give up sadness, meanness,
envy, hatred, cynicism, cowardice, false witness and the like, so that this
Lent may be a joyful fast. Amen.
Is there anything you would like to do for someone else
inside the church?
Is there something you would like to do for someone or
something, outside the church?
What more could you do, if you could find the time, to lead
in the church?
What do you need to give up to spend more time with the
family?
What questions do you have?
Rev. Rich
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