Oak Trees and Squash

“Let us therefore as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” (Philippians 3:15-16, NASB)

As has been said before, some Christians are farther along the path to Spiritual maturity than are others. Looking up the path to those who are ahead of us, we may think of them as “having arrived.” Our Scripture text admonishes the believers that, wherever our path to Spiritual maturity may have advanced us, we must “keep on keeping on.” We are further admonished to continue to abide by the same standard that brought us this far, staying faithful to the Lord in our walk with Him.

A businessman had successfully grown his business using tried and true methods and principles of operation. Someone suggested that he should change his methods for newer techniques and cut some corners. His response was, “I am sticking with what brought me here.”

If you are a growing, maturing Christian, stay with what brought you to where you are. And if God wants you to change He will reveal it to you. There are no “short cuts” or “quick fixes” to spiritual maturity. Christian maturity takes place more often in a “slow cooker,” rather than in a “microwave.” You can grow a squash in six weeks. Growing an oak tree will take a lifetime.

A Good Testimony

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

The assessment of many scholars and commentators is that Paul the apostle was the greatest Christian that ever walked the earth. But his assessment of himself was that he had not yet arrived. He stayed focused on “one thing” which would be good for us to do. He was like a runner in a race, nearing the finish line, straining forward with every ounce of energy and determination. If I could write his testimony it would be the following:

• I’m not what I ought to be, and
• I’m not what I want to be, and
• I’m not what I’m going to be, but praise God,
• I’m not what I used to be.

Is that your testimony?

A Fugitive Apprehended

“…but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians3:12)

The picture before us is that of a fugitive running from his pursuers and finally being apprehended or caught.

Paul was the “fugitive” running from the Lord. The Holy Spirit “pricked” him many times with conviction (Acts 9:5). He is now caught or apprehended on the Road to Damascus.  

So, now the former fugitive has a desire to, “apprehend,” or catch that which caught him. He has been saved, born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. No longer a fugitive running away from God, now he is running toward God. He wants to grow. He is like a tree that my son planted in my front yard twenty-five years ago. It was a tree then, but not mature. It is still much smaller than the more mature trees in the yard, but it is a tree, much larger than it was when it was planted, and is growing and maturing.

If you have genuinely repented and turned to Christ in faith and are saved, you surely want to grow toward maturity, not becoming more saved, which is an impossibility, but knowing more about the God who saved you.  

Not Yet Mature

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect…” (Philippians 3:12)

I once heard evangelist, Billy Graham say that he did not know any mature Christians, and he included himself. I agree with that statement and add myself in the, “not yet mature” group. Billy Graham also added, “There are some Christians who are more nearly mature than others.”

If we have reached spiritual maturity there is no more room for growth.  The Bible clearly commands that we are to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 3:18)  Paul saw himself as not yet mature but continued to work on becoming mature.

Anticipated Joy

“If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Philippians 3:11)

Paul is known for his long sentence structures. This verse comes at the end of a sentence that begins in verse eight. After he speaks of the “nothingness” of his fleshly accomplishments before he met the Lord, he enumerates regarding his life in the Spirit following salvation in Christ Jesus.

In the thirteen epistles he has written he has no uncertainty about the believers’ resurrection or the power of God to make it happen. His statement here is one of humility, not uncertainty. John Philips, in commenting on this verse, says the word “if” used here is not a word of doubt but is used at it often is used as, “seeing it is so.”

For the person saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the resurrection from among the dead is his greatest anticipated joy.

Shaped by Christ’s Death

“…being made conformable unto His death.” (Philippians 3:10)

Believers have two distinct choices we can make. We can be conformed to this age or world in which we live. It is easy to fit into and be shaped by that mold. Churches as well as individuals are often shaped by the world with the excuse that “you have to be like them to win them.” However, we are instructed to, “Be not conformed to this world (age). (Romans 12:2)

On the other hand we can be conformed or shaped by the cross, the sacrifice and the willingness of Christ to suffer for us. Paul was conformed to the death of Christ, evidenced in the statement in Romans 9:2-3, “I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself  were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”

How desperately do you desire to see people saved today? Family members, including husbands, wives, children, brothers, sisters and parents are lost and in need of salvation.  It is likely you have unsaved friends and neighbors. Conformity to this sinful age on our part will not bring them to Christ. We must be conformed to the Lord’s death to make a difference.

Suffering For Us

“…that I may know Him…and the fellowship of His suffering…” (Philippians 3:10)

Anyone who reads the Bible has some knowledge of the sufferings of Christ. From Genesis 3:15 to Psalm 22 to Isaiah 53 and many more references in the Old Testament and numerous references in the New Testament. All four of the Gospels give vivid details of Our Lord’s suffering and death. In the Garden of Gethsemane He sweat as it were great drops of blood. He was scourged, beaten unmercifully, had a crown of thorns placed on His head, was spit upon, blindfolded and slapped, and mockingly told to prophesy and tell who it was that struck Him. His hands and feet were nailed to a cross, where He hung for six hours before saying, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” and then giving up His spirit in death. Have you ever wept over your sins when reading of His crucifixion?

The “fellowship of His suffering” is experienced when we count ourselves as, “crucified with Christ.” (Galatians 2:20) We are told to, “set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3)

Resurrection Power

“…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” (Philippians 3:10)

It was not enough for Paul to know Jesus the man who walked among men, became tired, went to sleep in a boat on a stormy sea and wept at the tomb of a friend. He not only wanted to know His need for food and water and His ability to teach as no other man taught, he also wanted to know the power of our Lord’s resurrection.

It was the resurrection power of God that raised Jesus from the dead. In the First Corinthian letter we read, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept…But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” (I Corinthians 15:20, 23) The bible says, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.” (Revelation 20:6)

The life of the child of God is to experience the power of the resurrection in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in service and to know resurrection power either at the resurrection of the saints when the Lord returns, or immediately afterward, at the rapture, to“be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye.” (I Corinthians 15:52-53) It’s a “win, win” situation.

Why?

"Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think he doeth God service.” (John 16:2)

When the Jewish leaders led in the assault on Jesus which resulted in His crucifixion, they thought they were doing God a service. Just a few hours before His crucifixion our Savior declared that the time would come that His followers would be put out of the synagogues and be killed and those responsible would think they were pleasing God.

Jesus went on to say, “And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” (John 16:3)  That explains why the Islamists are killing Christians and why a young man went into a building where Christians were involved in prayer and Bible study and killed nine of the worshippers of God. Paul the apostle says that before he was saved and while he was on his rampage of blasphemy and injury toward followers of Jesus, he “did it ignorantly and in unbelief.” (I Timothy 1:13)  The evil things that happen in our world would cease happening if the perpetrators would surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do You Know Jesus

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable unto His death.” (Philippians 3:10)

Today is Father’s Day. I have the privilege of preaching today where my father answered the call to preach, where he was ordained and where twelve years later he became pastor. During those twelve years he was pastor of four other local Baptist churches. My father was a great man in my eyes. He had farmed, served as a deacon, and taught Sunday school. He was thirty-six years old when he finally said yes to the Lord to preach the gospel. He suffered a major stroke at the age of fifty-seven and died four years later when he was sixty-one years old.  I have heard many people say they knew my dad, but they really only knew about him.  I did not just know about him, I knew him.

Paul says in our text, “I want to know Jesus…” Many people have some knowledge of Jesus, where He was born, where He grew up, where He was crucified and a few other facts. But they only know about Him. To know Jesus one must spend much, much time with Him. We must talk with Him in prayer. We must fellowship with Him. We must seek His counsel. We must read His precious Word. We must confess our sins, faults and failures to Him and experience His forgiveness. You need to have the same heart’s desire as Paul did to get to know Jesus.

No Bragging Rights

“Though I might also have confidence in the flesh.  If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more.” (Philippians 3:4)

In the preceding verse before our text Paul says, “And have no confidence in the flesh.” That, of course, is speaking of our standing with God.  In today’s text the apostle says that if you want to boast in the fleshly accomplishments he could win the prize. In verses five and six he enumerates seven “bragging rights,” beginning with his circumcision when he was eight days old and ending with being blameless as far as keeping the Old Testament law.

Following that he says he counts those “bragging rights” as “nothing” or as “dung” as far as his salvation is concerned. Elsewhere he says he is the chiefest of sinners. (I Tim. 1:15)

What bragging rights are you claiming for your entrance into the Kingdom of God? Those things will keep one from the Kingdom. One will not be saved until he first sees himself as a lost sinner in need of salvation.  One must then repent of his sin and turn in faith to the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

A Change of Heart

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3:3)

God is concerned about the heart of man. When Samuel the prophet was in the process of choosing to replace Saul as king of Israel, thinking his mission had been accomplished with the choice of Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab, the LORD said to Samuel, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7) In His concern for what is inside us, God further tells us, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Finally, the Bible says, “He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter…” (Romans 2:28-29)

It takes more than a surgeon’s knife to make a Jew or to bring salvation to a lost sinner. A change of heart can happen only by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Warning

“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” (Philippians 3:2)

Paul’s warning about “dogs” was not the cute little critters many folks keep around the house as a pet. The word “dogs” in the Bible is sometimes a reference to male Sodomite cult prostitutes. It can be a reference to the dogs referred to in Psalms 22:16 where in the prophecy of Christ on the cross it is said, “For dogs have compassed me.”  The reference to dogs in our text is perhaps a reference to wild, vicious, marauding dogs which would sometimes get in a flock of sheep and kill or scatter them.

Evil workers are those who are given to sinful ways. They have nothing to do with God or God’s people. They are like those before the flood in Noah’s day; “the wickedness of man was great in the earth and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)

And finally, there were the Judaizers, called the concision, like those in Acts fifteen who insisted that one must become a Jew before he could be saved.

These warnings were necessary then and are still necessary today as false prophets abound, as well as the evil workers and those who make salvation a thing to be earned by good deeds, religious rites and ceremonies.

Finally, My Brethren

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same thing to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.” (Philippians 3:1)

A little boy at church asked his mother sitting beside him, “Mom, what does it mean when the preacher says, ‘Finally?’” His mother said, “Honey, it doesn’t mean a thing.” We all laugh at that. Paul is not guilty of declaring he is through while continuing on.  He has more to say.

Joy is the major theme of Philippians. Standing strong against false doctrine, maintaining unity and accord in the local church, making sure the believers are under the Lordship of Christ and that they are behaving as blood bought people is the way to remain joyful. These are some of the subject matter in the first two chapters of Philippians.

These reminders, plus those to come in this epistle, are not burdensome for Paul. Any teacher knows that repetition is one of the keys to learning. Do you recall memorizing the alphabet and the multiplication table? What about John 3:16? The safest thing for the saints at Philippi, as well as the saints today, is to hear the old, old story again and again. One of the reasons so many professing Christians are not rejoicing today is because they are trying to be friends with the world and have fellowship with Christ at the same time. It has never worked and it never will.

A Good Name

“Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.” (Philippians 2:25)

Let’s take a look at two men, Epaphroditus and Judas Iscariot. Only twice is this man’s name, Epaphroditus, mentioned in the New Testament, both times it is in connection with the Church of Philippi. Paul refers to him as his brother, companion in labor, fellow soldier, your messenger and the carrier of a gift to Paul from the Philippian Christians. He had labored even when sick, nearly to the point of death as a result of sacrificially serving the Lord. He would carry this letter from Paul to the church.

On the other hand, Judas Iscariot was the well known treasurer for Jesus and the disciples. He is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament and is spoken of prophetically in the Old Testament. Knowing what we know about Judas and his pilfering the money put into the treasury bag, who would trust him with anything in the way Paul and the believers at Philippi trusted Epaphroditus? Judas will forever wear the name of “traitor” and “Son of Perdition.”

The Bible says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…” (Proverbs 22:1)

Trust in the Lord

“But I trust in the Lord…” (Philippians 2:24)

Paul mentioned in the previous verse that he hoped to send Timothy to Philippi but right now he was not sure of what the future held for his possible martyrdom. Perhaps he would be able to go to Philippi himself.

When there is uncertainty in your pathway and the future has not been fully revealed, the best thing to do is trust in the Lord. The word tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) 

Are you facing some kind of uncertainty in your future?  Talk to God about the problem.  Look in His Word for similar situations and how the Lord helped His own through their trying times. In the song, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow,” we find these words: “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand; but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.”

No Greater Joy

“But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.” (Philippians 2:22)

Paul is endorsing the ministry of Timothy as well as the man himself. In our previous devotion Paul recommended Timothy as “likeminded” with Paul. Father’s Day is a week from today. I have many precious memories of working with my father in the fields out on the farm as well as working with him in the gospel. When I was just entering the ministry he invited me to preach in two, perhaps three revivals. As one would expect I invited my dad to help me in meetings. Those are precious, precious memories.

Other exceedingly precious memories flood my soul as my son has been “Music Man” for a large portion of my ministry.  We served together in a tent revival when, as a teenager, he played the piano each night and a different man preached. He has been my organist, pianist and music director for a long time in a local church where I was pastor.

Brother Paul would not object, I’m sure, if I said something about my daughter who has served the Lord in so many ways. She has sung, taught Sunday School, has been VBS Director and taught in VBS. John said, and I agree, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 4)

Paul could only say, “As a son with a father,” but I have the privilege of saying of my dad and children, it is the real thing. Their mother set the standard and example.  She was teaching a class of four and five year old “Beginners” in Sunday School when she was fourteen years old. She has gone with me every step of the way, going way beyond the call of duty.

Likeminded With the Best

“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” (Philippians 2:19-21)

The late, Dr. Robert G Lee, for many years pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, said he would not give a recommendation to a church pulpit committee for any preacher.  He said it was the equivalent of co-signing a bank note.

Paul did not have that view of his friend, Timothy. Paul was looking forward to sending Timothy as his representative to Philippi. He said of Timothy, “I have no man likeminded, who thinks as I do. All the rest,” Paul says, “seek their own welfare.” Paul was saying that the Philippians could depend on Timothy to be trustworthy in all ways because he was indwelt with the same Holy Spirit as Paul.

There is an old song that asks the question, “May the Lord depend on you?”

Rejoice in Trials

“Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.” (Philippians 2:17)

A sub-title for the epistle to the Philippians could well be, “Rejoicing in Trials.” In the 104 verses in this epistle, some form of the word, “joy,” is used sixteen times. That’s once in every 6.5 verses. Paul is rejoicing in his imprisonment and is calling on the Church at Philippi to rejoice in their trials.

One of my friends who has had a long bout with cancer, when he is asked, “How are you doing today?” responds by saying, “I’m too blessed to be stressed.” That response is much better than, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.” James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations (trials); knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2-3) Also read I Peter 1:6-7 and I Peter 2:19-24.

Shine as Lights in a Dark World

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16)

Believers are called on to live their lives in a sinful world, not in a sinless and utopian environment. Stars shine their brightest and most brilliant when the night is the darkest. Jewelers display their diamonds on black velvet so the beauty of their merchandise is more readily seen and adored.

We are not to complain and murmur about the difficulties in holding forth the word of life. So, you have been called to teach a Bible class of unruly teenagers. Pray, seek God’s help and let them see Jesus in you. Perhaps you work at a job with people who never give a thought to Jesus Christ, but rather ridicule and criticize you and other Christians. Be faithful to the Lord.

Cultivate for Maximum Fruit

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

This verse is not saying that each person decides for himself how he is going to be saved. It is saying that as God has done His work of saving grace on the inside we are to work it out as a gardener or farmer works the weeds, briars and thistles out of his crop and cultivates the soil to see that conditions are right for a maximum yield.

It is not the pastor or some Godly person who works salvation within you. It is God who performs the work of salvation in us. As He works in us it is the Christian’s assignment to work it out in fruitfulness and good works. Paul was in jail and not able to be present to help this young church. As then, so it is now, it is up to believers to take what God has given us and let others “see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

About Face

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesian 2:8-9)

A popular, yet very true statement is, "Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone." Strange additions have been added by religionists who are sure that there must be more to it than that. Yes, repentance is part of the equation. It was Jesus who said, "I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3) One is not "half-saved" if he repents with with no faith, neither is one "half-saved" if he believes with no repentance. Saving faith and repentance are inseparable sides of the same coin. One cannot spend either side of a coin without spending the other side of the coin at the same time.

When one is saved he turns in repentance from false gods, evil deeds, doubt, fear and unbelief and turns in faith, belief and trust to Jesus the Son of God for the free gift of salvation. One of the best illustrations of this truth is found in I Thessalonians 1:9 where we read that the Thessalonians, "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God." As they turned from sin, they turned to God at the same time.

Jesus Christ is Lord

“Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Jesus is the name that God chose for His Son and announced it to Joseph and Mary by the angel, Gabriel. (Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31) His is a name above every name. There have been numerous personalities who have strutted across the pages of history who thought they were important. But they are forgotten names in dust-covered books of men who never receive honorable mention today.

Sadly, many folks will not bow the knee before Jesus nor proclaim Him as the Lord of their lives. But there is coming a time when He shall be recognized universally as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But for multitudes it will be too late for them. Saying, “He is Lord,” and proclaiming, “He is my Lord,” are totally different.

Allow me to urge you to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and recognize Him as the very Lord of your life as you surrender your all to Him. Someone correctly said, “If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.”

Have the Mind of Christ

J“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

How do people in a local church achieve the selfless traits mentioned in verses three and four from yesterday’s devotion? The answer is given in the statement, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Verse 5) We must have the mind or attitude of Christ. He was in the form of God and never stopped being God even when He took on another form, that of being one of us.

• In so doing He expressed the attitude of self denial.  Jesus said we should “deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him.” (Matthew 16:24)  
• His was a mind also of service, or servant-hood. See Him as He washes the disciples feet in John 13:1-16.  
• He also humbled Himself. (verse 8)  “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.” (I Peter 5:5)  
• He was obedient to the Father’s will. “Not my will, but thine be done.” (Luke 22:42)  
• And finally, His obedience led Him all the way to Calvary and death. If we have been saved “we have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live, yet not us, but Christ living in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.” (Galatians 2:20) When He died at Calvary we died with Him.

For us to become selfless instead of selfish, we must let Him take over our thinking, our attitude and our very lives. He must live in us.

Practical Christianity

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

If you were choosing a theme song that accurately describes your church, would it be, “Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way; Thou art the potter, I am the clay.” Or would it be better described (to the same tune), “I want my way, Lord, I want my way. Nothing else matters, just give me my way.”

Oh, that we church members would follow the teaching of God’s Word as written here by Paul the apostle to the Christians at the church of Philippi. Perhaps it was because they were exemplifying this teaching of putting others before self that he could say of them, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” (Phil 1:3)

Determine that you will be a church member that sets an example for others to follow in this matter of selflessness as opposed to selfishness.

Are You Suffering for Your Faith?

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” (Philippians 1:29-30)

The way of salvation has always been a matter of faith. “For by grace are you saved through faith...” (Ephesians 2:8) and, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31) And there are many, many more verses. But from the beginning there has always been opposition. The first Christian Martyr was Stephen, one of the seven spoken of in Acts 6 and 7, chosen to assist the widows. His martyrdom arose from the ranks of the religious people, the Jews. The Bible tells us there will always be opposition, persecution and suffering. “…all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (II Timothy 3:12)

Believing on Jesus for salvation, strength, comfort and fellowship is the easy part. Suffering for what we believe is the hard part. When we start telling others the good news of the Savior and insisting He is the only way to heaven we can expect opposition and persecution. Paul tells his readers that the conflict they saw in him when he was with them is what they are hearing about him now.

Pray for Persecuted Christians Around the World

“And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.” (Philippians 1:28)

Satan is referred to as “our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)  Satan has his messengers, his workers, his servants who are in opposition to the things of God and the servants of God. Satan often uses other people to oppose our Christian faith. Their opposition to the gospel and their adversarial attacks on Christians are evidence of their lostness.  On the other hand, their opposition to our stand for Christ and their persecution of Christians are evidence of the Christian’s salvation.

Illustrations of this truth are seen in China, North Korea, Iraq, Vietnam and other countries as unbelievers are today persecuting Christians, raping women, beheading men, kidnapping young women and selling them or giving them to the enemy to be their brides, sending others to slave camps and simply scattering Christians from their homeland. Jesus said that “the time would come that whosoever kills you (a follower of Christ) would think he was doing God a favor. And these things they will do unto you, because they have not known the Father nor me.” (John 16:2-3)

Let us pray that these atrocities will end and Christians can live in peace.

Christian Behavior

“Only let your conversation (conduct, behavior) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27)

My wife has told me several times that when she was a child, when her mother took her and her siblings with her for a visit, before arriving she told them to “be on your best behavior.” My wife said she knew that her mother meant exactly what she said.

God is concerned about the behavior of His children. His inspired Book tells us how saved people are to behave in this world. We are not at home here. We are “strangers and pilgrims.” (I Peter 2:11)  In our text the word "conversation" in the KJV means "conduct" or "behavior."  We are to behave in a way that "becometh" or "depicts" the gospel.  

My parents would sometimes say, “Don’t act like the neighbor’s kids.” If I behaved otherwise, they would somehow hear about it. Paul says, “I want to hear that you are behaving as Christians…”

Christian, how is your behavior down here?

Wherever He Leads

"But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is much better; yet to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”(Philippians 1:22-24 NASB)

Paul’s attitude is that “if I remain among the living on earth I shall have more opportunities for bearing fruit.” Remember that Paul is in jail and his imprisonment has given him opportunities to witness and lead others to faith in Christ. If Paul dies as a martyr or some other way, it will be better for him than staying here. He has longed to depart and to be with Christ. However, Paul concludes by saying, “I will be of more benefit to others by remaining here.”

It sounds very much like the attitude of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on the evening before His crucifixion: “Oh, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”( Matthew 26:39)   Where the Father uses us is in His hands.

All of Christ

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

The testimony of every believer should be that which Paul stated here. One author pointed out that the testimony of some concerning this life should be, “for me to live is wealth,” or for some, “for me to live is pleasure,” for others it would be, “for me to live is wickedness.” But not Paul, whose life was lived committed to Christ, controlled by Christ, in honor of Christ and to the glory of Christ.

And, every life, even the life of a Christian, will come to an earthly end. For the person without Christ, regrets, tragedy and hopelessness await him. He fails to realize that, “after death is the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

So Paul, the believer, the Christian, sees death as gain. A.T. Robertson says in his, “Word Pictures in the New Testament,” that such an attitude as Paul’s can be described as “living on the interest while living and cashing in the principle at death.” Paul had no fear when facing death’s door for he knew the joy that awaited him on the other side.