“Only conduct yourselves worthy of the gospel” Philippians 1:27 The Politics of Belonging Conduct – What does conduct have to do with politics? In our era, we probably think that good conduct and politics are opposites. Politicians have earned a tarnished reputation. But the word Paul chooses here tells us something very important. It’s just…
“Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body” Philippians 1:20 The Glory of the Flesh Exalted – This is not the usual word for “exalted”. The common Greek word translated “exalt” is hypsoo. It is found in Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, Philippians 2:9, John 3:14 and many other verses. This form of…
“the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives,” Philippians 1:16 The Deepest Reasons Pure motives – There is a tension in Scripture. It is the tension between behavior and motive. God is more interested in the “why” than He is in the “what” and this creates a great but invisible…
“For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” Philippians 1:8 Actions Speak Louder Than Words Affection – Today’s word is a very special word. It is a word that is usually translated “compassion”. In the gospels, splanchnon always involves action. Compassion is not sympathy. It is…
“For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” Philippians 1:8 Whose Testimony Validates Your Actions Witness – If you needed to call on a character witness, could you make the same claim that Paul makes? Could you call on God to back your stand without reservation? …
“sin is crouching at the door, and its desire is for you, but you must master it” Genesis 4:7 Desire – Why should we be stewards of our emotions? Who cares how we feel as long as we behave correctly? Ah, there is a deep answer here, but it is not the answer we might…
“sin is crouching at the door, and its desire is for you, but you must master it” Genesis 4:7 Master – God can’t do everything. No, it’s not blasphemy to say this. God can’t do what He intends you to do without violating your freedom of choice. And since His purposes include your freedom of…
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 Mastered – The Declaration of Independence got it wrong. Liberty is not an inalienable right. From the Bible’s point of view, liberty exists as a gift…
“to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 25 Authority – What is authority? It’s not the same as power. I may use power to force you to act in a certain way, but that does not…
“Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.” Hebrews 5:11 Dull – Do you remember learning to drive? Do you remember how hard it was to parallel park the first time? Do you remember the mild panic when you first drove in traffic? …
