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Grace: License to Sin?

4/28/2014

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus...let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained" Philippians 3:14&16

Philippians 3:12-21
Licentiousness. A little less familiar word than last week's "legalism," but just as important! Just like a license gives you permission to do something, licentiousness is simply the opposite of legalism - taking God's limitless grace as permission to continue in sin. Paul didn't see himself as having attained perfection, but said he continued to "press on" and encouraged us to join him in "living by that same standard to which we have attained" (v. 16). The standard we have attained is Christ! Can we do it perfectly? No! But in Christ we are perfected, in that we have been set free from our sins. So let's live like it!

Ok, what's that mean? It means we live like sin has no hold on us, continually confessing and turning from our sin. We don't continue in the same sin - that would be blatant rebellion against God and could cause others to question our faith in Christ. Instead, we recognize our sin for what it is and praise God for His glorious grace that sets us free and seek Him to live in that freedom. When Christ died on the cross, He died for all of your sins. Not just the ones you had committed up to your salvation, but for all the sins you had and would commit. Let's not live in bondage to our sin anymore, abusing God's grace, but live fully in the freedom God has given us through the cross.

Father, Thank You for forgiving all of my sin for all of my life. Please open my eyes to see if I am in bondage to sin. Help me confess and repent. Give me the strength to say no to temptation and teach me what it means to live free from sin. You alone are truly good and gracious. Amen.

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Freedom From Legalism

4/21/2014

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"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ...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." Philippians 3:8-9

Philippians 3:1-11
Legalism. Recognize that term? Legalism means, "strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code" (Merriam Webster online dictionary). In our passage today, Paul tells believers to watch out for those who are of "the false circumcision," who put their confidence in the flesh. He points out that he was a model Jew, following all the rules and persecuting others in the name of God. But as "good" as he was, he realized that his pursuit of being a perfect Law follower meant nothing. At the end of the day, it is Christ who saved him, and he couldn't brag about anything he had done.

Now, it's easy to look at Paul and say, "Well, that was all before he was a Christian." And you're right! But I'd argue we still see legalism within the church today. Although no one would willingly say this is true of themselves, legalism is a form of earning your way before God. However, what were we just reminded of this past Easter weekend? Christ died for our sins and was raised to new life! His perfection is our perfection! We can't do enough good to earn us favor with God. We have His favor because we have Christ. Christ frees us from a life of fearful legalism, ushering us into a life of grateful and free obedience.

Take a minute. Do you have a tendency to trust in "doing"? To put stock in "living right" rather than knowing Christ? Pray, confess, repent and rejoice.

Father, You are so great! Your grace and mercy free me to worship, love, and obey You for who You are. Help me know You better, to trust You with every moment of my day today, and to enjoy Your favor You show me because of Christ. Amen.

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Genuine

4/7/2014

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"...and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ..." Philippians 2:29b-30a

Philippians 2:19-30
Men like who? In the midst of encouraging the Philippians to be humble, focused on others, and to serve without complaining, Paul talks about two men. Timothy travelled and helped Paul in his ministry and Epaphroditus had been sent by the Philippians to Paul to help. Paul has nothing but love for these men and holds them and their selflessness up. Let's take a look at how he describes them.

Timothy is a "kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare" (v. 20). He's proven himself by helping Paul make the gospel known, like a child helps and serves with his father. Timothy is clearly consumed with the interests of Christ rather than his own! Epaphroditus is a "brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier" who had been very sick while working with Paul that he almost died. Neither Paul nor Epaphroditus wanted the Philippians to be concerned about him (since they didn't have phones, emails or facebook), so he went back to them. These men were absorbed with genuine care and concern for the interests of Christ, namely His people.

Do you know people like this? If so, let them know you are thankful for them. Honor them. And are you like the men described here? Are you genuinely concerned for the interests of Christ, especially your brothers and sisters whom you know as well as those you do not know?

Gracious God, Thank You for ordinary men who have served You that we can learn from. I praise You for Your grace and power and for giving that power to Your people so that we may live genuinely caring for Your people. In Your Name, Amen.

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What are you reflecting?

4/1/2014

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Philippians 2:14-18

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing..." Philippians 2:14

Paul follows his encouragement to work out your own salvation with a command: "Do all things without grumbling or disputing" (v. 14, emphasis added). This is pretty easy to say, not so easy to do. But Paul quickly explains why we are to do so: because how we do things shows others whose we are. If we are God's children, we should act like it!

Paul tells the Philippians to hold fast, stay committed to the Word of God until Christ returns. But instead of it being a reflection of God, it is because they are a reflection of Christ's work in and through Paul. There were many who questioned Paul's authority and apostleship (and still do) because he hadn't walked with or followed Jesus during His lifetime on earth. The church that Paul had founded could be a testimony to Christ's work in Paul, giving weight to his authority and leadership. His ministry could be more effective and more people might believe because of the faithful lives of the Philippians.

At your church, do you serve without grumbling? Do you do everything without disputing or do you stir up dissension and disrespect? Are you living in such a way that your church's ministry is more effective or hindered? Let's build up the body of Christ by being mindful of how we do everything. Remember, everything should ultimately be done for the glory of God.

Father, I praise You for always being good and for being kind enough to use me for Your purposes, plans, and glory. Thank You for the opportunity to live every moment as a testimony of Your goodness and the ministry of my church. Forgive me for not always having the right heart or attitude when I serve. Please give me Your strength to serve You with humility, thinking of others first, and without grumbling. In Your Name, Amen.

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Grace: License to Sin?

Freedom From Legalism

Genuine

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