Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 51-52; Philippians 3
Devotional Thought:
Philippians 3 is a tremendous challenge for all Christians. We must learn to let God be preeminent! Paul starts by giving his list of qualifiers that would impress any carnal person. Paul was clear that his opinion of his qualifications were that they were counted as dung so he could win Christ. God does not share His glory with anyone and Paul recognized this. He was not interested in getting people to see him, he was interested in them seeing God. Paul had one major pursuit in life, “to know Him (God) and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable unto His death.” (vs. 10) Paul knew that even with all his accolades he had not arrived. He realized that he still needed to grow in order for people to see Christ in him. He acknowledged that he must forget the past failures and past success and press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (vs. 13-14) Paul was determined to be molded into the image of Christ. What is your greatest motivation? What is your most prized goal? What do you want more than anything else in the world? For Paul, it was to be conformed to the image of his Savior. Paul’s teaching refutes the problem of today called self-righteousness. Christians work so hard to help everyone around them see their works as they strive to convince them of their righteousness. Paul was clear that he didn’t have any righteousness apart from Christ. His desire was for people to see the righteous character of Christ and to be drawn to Him! What a difference it would make in our churches if every person in church would desire to point people to Christ. That no one was ever offended by a lack of attention, accolades, or affection. People who must get attention are selfish. Paul addresses them at the end of this chapter. “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Rather than being worried about whether or not our righteousness is seen, we must seek to manifest the righteousness of Christ to be seen. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (vs. 17-21)
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to never compete with your glory. Please help me to love you more every day. Please help me to point people to you and to see the righteousness that is in Christ. Thank you for saving me and giving to me your righteousness positionally, promising me that you are enough to help me live righteously practically.
• Lord, thank you for giving to me the Bible that helps me to know your character. Please help me to influence my wife, children, church, and community to desire your character. To desire to point people to you.
• Lord, thank you for your constant work in my life. Thank you for never giving up on your constant nurturing and admonishment to me that shows me that you are the perfect parent.