My Beloved Stand Fast in the Lord
My Beloved Stand Fast in the Lord
Has civility gone out of the window especially during this presidential campaign? How do we see one another? Paul said I have stopped seeing people in the flesh. What about you and me? Do we see people based on their color, accomplishments and their sins? We must look beyond what we can see presently in people.
Watch and note the dear terms Apostle Paul used to address the Philippians while encouraging them to stand fast in the Lord:
“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved”. Philippians 4:1
How can Paul go from almost rebuking the Philippians to calling them my beloved and my joy and my crown? It is because of the great word “therefore” in the verse. What is the therefore for?
In the previous section Paul had just reminded the Philippians of their citizenship in heaven and that Christ is coming to transform their (and our) lowly bodies to his glorified body. That is enough to call anyone beloved. Our present and future state is great in Christ.
When we realize and accept our citizenship of heaven, we must see everyone else as a candidate for heaven. People become beloved, and cherished and longed for. Every heavenly candidate becomes your crown and joy. Remember God used Paul to establish the Philippian Church so in a sense they are his trophies and cherished friends in Christ. Do you have trophies in people?
You will be rattled and disturbed on the outside and inside unless you see people the way God sees them. If you only see people in the flesh, all you will see is the works of the flesh anger, hatred etc. In the flesh we are all full of sins and there is nothing good in the flesh.
This does not mean we ignore sin in us and others. However, we look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith in order to look at others. Our hope is in Jesus because “21 He (God) made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious loving-kindness]. 2 Corinthians 5:21
The question is, are you willing to accept whom and what God has already reconciled in Christ? We are in the ministry of reconciliation. You have to value people regardless of their political persuasion. God valued every people enough to die on the cross for them. Everyone need Jesus as a Savior.
In view of what is at stake, we must value people dearly and stand fast in the Lord. There is no other grounds to stand on. All other grounds are sinking sand. We must have the same attitude and mind of Christ to see people and to stand firm:
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. 4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility] Philippians 2:3-5
As we go into the next section, Paul will tell us more on how to stand firm and fast in the Lord by our thinking the right thoughts and praying always with thanksgiving to the Lord.
Who do you need to start seeing differently today as God sees them? Jesus died for this person regardless of your opinion of their great sinfulness. It may be your spouse, children, siblings, parents, neighbors, co-workers, boss and even the politicians. These people are not your enemies. Please pray for them.
“12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places” Ephesians 6:12.
“3 For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. 4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete”. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.
Use God’s means and lenses to see people and fight for them in prayer and intercession.
May you and I stand fast and firm in the love of God today as we set our eyes to heaven to our Father and our Lord Jesus who is coming soon. May we see people with God’s eyes today. Amen.
Has civility gone out of the window especially during this presidential campaign? How do we see one another? Paul said I have stopped seeing people in the flesh. What about you and me? Do we see people based on their color, accomplishments and their sins? We must look beyond what we can see presently in people.
Watch and note the dear terms Apostle Paul used to address the Philippians while encouraging them to stand fast in the Lord:
“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved”. Philippians 4:1
How can Paul go from almost rebuking the Philippians to calling them my beloved and my joy and my crown? It is because of the great word “therefore” in the verse. What is the therefore for?
In the previous section Paul had just reminded the Philippians of their citizenship in heaven and that Christ is coming to transform their (and our) lowly bodies to his glorified body. That is enough to call anyone beloved. Our present and future state is great in Christ.
When we realize and accept our citizenship of heaven, we must see everyone else as a candidate for heaven. People become beloved, and cherished and longed for. Every heavenly candidate becomes your crown and joy. Remember God used Paul to establish the Philippian Church so in a sense they are his trophies and cherished friends in Christ. Do you have trophies in people?
You will be rattled and disturbed on the outside and inside unless you see people the way God sees them. If you only see people in the flesh, all you will see is the works of the flesh anger, hatred etc. In the flesh we are all full of sins and there is nothing good in the flesh.
This does not mean we ignore sin in us and others. However, we look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith in order to look at others. Our hope is in Jesus because “21 He (God) made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious loving-kindness]. 2 Corinthians 5:21
The question is, are you willing to accept whom and what God has already reconciled in Christ? We are in the ministry of reconciliation. You have to value people regardless of their political persuasion. God valued every people enough to die on the cross for them. Everyone need Jesus as a Savior.
In view of what is at stake, we must value people dearly and stand fast in the Lord. There is no other grounds to stand on. All other grounds are sinking sand. We must have the same attitude and mind of Christ to see people and to stand firm:
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. 4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility] Philippians 2:3-5
As we go into the next section, Paul will tell us more on how to stand firm and fast in the Lord by our thinking the right thoughts and praying always with thanksgiving to the Lord.
Who do you need to start seeing differently today as God sees them? Jesus died for this person regardless of your opinion of their great sinfulness. It may be your spouse, children, siblings, parents, neighbors, co-workers, boss and even the politicians. These people are not your enemies. Please pray for them.
“12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places” Ephesians 6:12.
“3 For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. 4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete”. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.
Use God’s means and lenses to see people and fight for them in prayer and intercession.
May you and I stand fast and firm in the love of God today as we set our eyes to heaven to our Father and our Lord Jesus who is coming soon. May we see people with God’s eyes today. Amen.
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