Thought Provoking Scriptures Series
Main Text: Philippians 3:1-11 New International Version (NIV)
Philippians 3:1 NIV – Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
Paul saying that it is no trouble to write the same things to them again – that it is for their safe guarding. I think it similar to Joshua 1:8…this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, thou shall meditate upon it day and night to observe to do all that is written there in – unto the obtaining of good success (paraphrased). A reminder and repetition of God’s Word, the consistent practice of the same grounds a Christian in His faith in God. Makes divine realities not just an occasional thing but a lifetime experience.
Philippians 3: 2 – 11
2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
The word of God is not for just special occasions; it is for all occasions. You may read the same verse of the Bible at different times and the Spirit of God will give you an answer out of it specific for that time and season.
There are adversaries and not just the devil and his demons but also his agents – evil doers; whom we must not be ignorant of. And we need must put on the whole amour of God perpetually fighting from the place of Victory in Christ (Be Born-again and Baptised with the Holy Spirit and be Led by Him).
Our confidence is not in the flesh, not by power nor by might, not built base emotions, nor by placing our trust in men. We have a divine backing; the assurance of all things working together for our good because we love God and we are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Saul of Tarsus before he became to be called Paul was an elite in thinking, in studies, in duty… and if anyone had tasted power, intellectualism, influence and fame according the standards of this world he was overly qualified. But he made a discovery that I hope we all (believers of Christ Jesus) have now made; that in Christ life is so much more than how the world defines it to be. With Christ Jesus we have life in abundance, peace that surpasses all human understanding and wisdom that makes the wisest in this world (but not wise in God) absolutely foolish.
Christianity stands on 2 legs:
1. Faith in God and His Word
2. The Leading of the Holy Spirit. -Rev Olusola Ayodele Areogun of www.lifeoasisinternationalchurch.org
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Without faith it is impossible to be a Christian and without the Holy Spirit it is unlikely that one would live a continuous victorious Christian life.
May it be that you and I would always be found not having a righteousness of our own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ Jesus—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. And our desire will be that we want to know Christ more and more—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. In Jesus Name. Amen!
To be truly and properly found in life and destiny is to be totally and completely lost into Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. It is to be in the company of earthly relevant and heavenly-bound people. To so sold-out to Christ as to boldly declare…
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
Remain blessed!
The Message Bearer
Cornelius Bella
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