Category: PASSION Reflections

Growing in Humility

On By BrianIn Virtue of Humility

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. – 1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV)

Peter tells us to clothe ourselves with humility. We are to humble ourselves toward others and before God. How do we do that? Today, I want to look at two general principles for growing in humility. Then once a week for the next several weeks, we will look at a specific application of those principles. Here are the two principles:

First, we need to renew our minds with Biblical truth (Romans 12:2). Our cultural is full of proud lies seeking to conform us into its way: “Life is all about me.” “You need to get yours.” “It doesn’t matter what God thinks; do your own thing.” “Buy this product so you can impress others with your superiority.” And so it goes. In midst of all this pride, we need to renew our minds in Biblical truth. We need to soak in the Bible that we might develop minds of humility.

Second, we need to train ourselves for godliness (I Timothy 4:7). There are certain habits or disciplines that we can practice to train ourselves in humility. We might call them habits of humility that not only flow out of humility, but also reinforce humility in our lives.

Two principles to help us grow in humility. Next week we will begin looking at some specific applications of those principles. In the meantime, perhaps you can think of your own applications of these principles for your own life.

The Proud Ways of Man

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah, Virtue of Humility

For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob,
because they are full of things from the east
and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines,
and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.
Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures;
their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots.
Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their own fingers have made. (Isaiah 2:6-8, ESV)

In this passage, we see the proud ways of man. These verses could be summed up with the words sung by Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way.” While the nations will one day gather to hear the Word of God (v2-4), Jacob proudly goes to the nations for their worldly wisdom (v6). While the nations will one day pursue and trust in God’s Word (v2-4), Jacob proudly pursues and trusts in material wealth and military power (v7). While the nations will one day own God as the one true God (v2-4), Jacob proudly worships idols, no-gods – the work of their own hands.

Jacob proudly refused to walk in the light of the Lord (v5), instead choosing to walk in the way of the nations. They proudly disobeyed God’s law which specifically forbid them to do the very things they were doing (see Deuteronomy 17:14-17, 18:9-14, etc.). They proudly chose to do it their own way.

Jacob’s proud ways were a proud declaration: “I am god. I am going to do whatever I want to do. I won’t bend the knee to God. I’m going to do it my way.” And so they sought to exalt themselves above God, above their Creator, above their King. They committed treason, rebellion against God.

Are there areas in our lives where we are proudly choosing to do it our own way? Are we doing life our way or God’s way? May God help us to forsake the proud ways of man, and boldly choose to do life God’s way.

Walk in Light of the Future

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah

In Isaiah 2:1-4, we get an incredible vision of the future. Then in v5, he tells us to come and walk in the light of the Lord. Walk in light of what he is going to do.  The Lord has given us this future vision so that we might live differently. What God is doing in the future should impact how we live today. And so we ought to walk in the light of:

His Priority – In a world all about me, we say no, it is all about Him. I’m not the highest – God is. He is first; he is the priority in all things. I am to live my life seeking his honor, seeking his kingdom, seeking his will. Is God’s honor your highest priority? Is God’s kingdom your highest priority? Is God’s will your highest priority? Or are you living for your own honor, your own kingdom, your own will?

His Presence – His manifest presence isn’t here now as it will be then, but God is with us. In a world of trials and sorrow, we can walk in the light of his presence. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). In the midst of the struggles of life, are you holding onto the One who is with you every step of the way?

His Paths – In a world of many paths, religions, worldviews, and ideologies, we follow the path of the one true God. Our hearts should burn to learn God’s Word. Does yours? And we ought to strive to obey God’s Word, to walk in his paths. Do you?

His Peace – In a world filled with strife, we are to pursue peace. We ought to put down our swords and spears, our proud insistence that things go our own way. Instead we ought to pick up humility and gentleness and patience and love, striving for peaceful unity in Christ’s church (Ephesians 4:1-3). Are you?

As we consider the glorious future that awaits us, may God graciously help us to live in light of that future today.

Glimpses of the Future

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah1 Comment

In Isaiah 2:1-4, we get four glimpses into the future.

First, we see the Lord’s Priority. The mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills (v2). The gods of the nations were thought to live in mountains, so to say that the mountain of the Lord would be highest, is to say that the Lord is the highest. He is lifted up above all the gods and religions of this world. The Lord will be recognized and exalted as the one true God. He will be first over all. He will have the priority. Imagine a world where God is lifted up as the number one priority in every heart, in every life, every day!

Second, we see God’s Presence. Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob (v3). The mountain of God and the house of God is where God dwells. It was understood that God dwelt in his temple, that his manifest presence was there. And we will one day dwell in this presence. We will dwell in the presence of God who is the Holy One of Israel, the Lord of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel. In his presence we will stand in awe of him. We will worship him as we see God’s people doing throughout the book of Revelation. Imagine a world where we are in the manifest presence of God worshiping in wonder and awe!

Third, we see the Lord’s Paths. And all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (v2-3). The nations will flow like a stream to Jerusalem to hear the Word of the Lord. People will want to hear His Word, and they will invite others to join them. There will be a hunger, a desire, to be taught by the Lord, and then to follow his teaching, to walk in his paths. Imagine a world where every heart burns to hear God’s Word and obey it faithfully, a world with no more sin!

Finally, we see the Lord’s Peace. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (v4). God will judge and decide disputes, and both parties will hear and follow his decrees. There will be no more war. Indeed the instruments of war will be turned into instruments of farming, suggesting prosperity, blessing, and plenty. Imagine a world with no wars, no civil wars, no hungry people displaced by wars, no tyranny, no terrorism, no crimes, no fear, no strife in the home or workplace – imagine true peace on earth!

Rejoice in the Lord

On By BrianIn Books of the Bible, Virtue of Joy

Where can we find a lasting joy? We find it first and foremost in the Lord. Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1). Lest we miss it, he says it again in the next chapter – twice (4:4). Paul is clear: we should find our joy in the Lord.

Keep in mind the context in which he is writing. He isn’t at the beach soaking in the sun in 80 degree weather (some of us northerners would like that about now). No, he is in prison chained to a guard. And he writes, rejoice in the Lord. And he isn’t just saying it but not living it either. He was thrown in jail when he was in Philippi too, and what was he doing? Praying and singing hymns to God – rejoicing in the Lord (Acts 16). In his suffering, he was still rejoicing in the Lord. Where can we find lasting joy even in the midst of suffering? We find lasting joy in the Lord.

So how can we grow in this joy? Three thoughts:

First, treasure the Lord above all. If Christ is our life (1:21), then that is where we will find our joy. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:21 that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. If Jesus is our treasure, then he is where our heart will be, he is where we will find our joy. And no one and nothing can steal that joy from you because no one and nothing can steal Him from you. Treasure the Lord above all.

Second, press on to know the Lord more. This is exactly what we find Paul doing (3:8-14). He wants to know Christ more and more. And as we know him more, as we draw near to him, as we “taste” of him, we find that he is good (Psalm 34:8). Always good. And so we can always rejoice in him. Psalm 100 begins with a call to rejoice in the Lord and ends with the reasons: his goodness, his love, and his faithfulness. The more you draw near and know his goodness, love, and faithfulness in your life, the more you will rejoice in him. So press on to know the Lord more.

Third, remember his blessings to you. We are to pray with thanksgiving (4:7). Consider his many blessings to you. He is the source of every blessing. All the good things you rightly rejoice in come from him, so rejoice in him. As you rejoice in his blessings, rejoice even more in the source.

Rejoice in the Lord. I will say it again: rejoice!

 

Are You a Joyful Person?

On By BrianIn Books of the Bible, Virtue of Joy

Philippians is often referred to as the epistle of joy. Fourteen times in this short book we find the words “joy” and “rejoice.” Paul rejoices and he calls his readers to rejoice. Which raises the question:

Are you a joyful person?

I’ve been wrestling with that question for the past week, and I invite you to wrestle with it now: Are you a joyful person? If someone asked your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, the driver in front of you, and anyone else who has been around you lately, would they say that you are a joyful person?

And then here is a second question:

Where do you find your joy?

There are lots of places that people find joy: in family, in work, in activities, in the presents under the tree. And there is nothing wrong with finding joy in these places. But if those are the only places you find joy, you won’t be a joyful person. Because your family can be a wreck, you can have a bad day at work, that activity might be cancelled, and soon all those gifts will be unwrapped – and then where is your joy? If you find your joy in comfort, what happens when life is no longer comfortable? If you find your joy in your health, what happens when your health is gone? We can find joy in many places, but not lasting joy.

God calls us to be joyful people with a lasting joy that continues even in the midst of the trials and struggles of life. In the next few days we will look at where we can find lasting joy. But in the meantime:

Are you a joyful person?

Where do you find your joy?

 

We Can Have Great Peace in a World of Things

On By BrianIn Books of the Bible, Virtue Miscellaneous

Paul tells us that he is content whether he faces plenty or hunger, abundance or need (Philippians 4:11-13). He is at peace with a lot or a little. And we too are called to be at peace whether we have a lot or a little. We too are called to be content in a world where there is always more to have. God wants us to be content with what he gives us instead of always chasing, craving, and seeking more and more.

Of course this flies in the face of our culture and our entire economy built on chasing material things. In our country money is god – it is what we trust and what we treasure. Our coins say: “In God we trust.” But for many the god they trust is the coin in their hand, and it is also what they treasure. How can we overcome? How can we find peace in a world filled with things? The answer is that we must learn to trust in and treasure something other than material things. In short, we must learn to trust in and treasure the Lord above all.

First, we must trust in the Lord. Verse 13 is essentially a statement of trust. I can be at peace in all circumstances as I look to him to give me strength. I’m not going to trust in my wealth for security. I’m not going to worry about my lack of wealth. I have a God who is mighty, who is powerful, who is strong to get me through, whether I have a lot or a little. He will give me what I need. I will trust him.

Second, we must treasure the Lord above all. This is found in the entire context of the book of Philippians. To live is Christ (1:21). Life is all about Christ. Knowing Christ is the number one priority – everything else is like rubbish (3:7-11). Christ is the greatest treasure. And if Christ is your greatest treasure than material things won’t mean so much to you. We can be at peace with a little or a lot because we already have the greatest treasure – we have Jesus.

We can have great peace in a world filled with things as we trust in the Lord and treasure him above all.

We Can Have Great Peace in a Life Filled with Trials

On By BrianIn Books of the Bible, Virtue Miscellaneous

A lot of circumstances can lead to anxiety – that unsettled feeling in the pit of your stomach, that fear in your heart and your mind. But God calls us to peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Indeed he calls us to a peace that surpasses all understanding. He calls us to a peace that guards our hearts and minds, our feelings and thoughts. Through Christ we can have great peace in a life filled with trials. But how can we know this peace? How can we apply this peace he offers to our lives? Our passage gives us three important answers:

First, we must remember the presence of the Lord. Right before we are instructed to be anxious for nothing, we read that the Lord is at hand. We need not be anxious because the Lord is with us. We need not fear even in the valley of the shadow of death because God is with us (Psalm 23:4). We can be strong and courageous because the Lord is with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9). God Almighty is by your side. Remember his presence.

Second, we must bring our cares to the Lord. We are to bring our requests to God (v6). We cast our cares on Him, knowing that he cares for us (I Peter 5:7). The Psalms are filled with prayers to God in the midst of trials. A regular pattern is that as the psalmists cry out to God, they come to a place of trust, of rest, of peace. Psalm 55 is a good example. The first five verses are a cry to God for help. But as the Psalmist looks to God, he finds a God who hears him (v17), sustains him (v22), and answers him (v16). And so he closes the psalm with a declaration of trust (v23). As we pray to the one who is greater than our problems, one who hears us, sustains us, and answers us, we can trust him and find peace.

Third, we must give thanks to God. In the middle of Paul’s instructions to pray, he drops the phrase “with thanksgiving.” In your trials and struggles that tempt you to worry, count your blessings. Remember the countless ways God has been and continues to be good to you. And give thanks. Our minds can get so stuck on a trial that we forget our blessings. We replay the trial over and over again in our minds like a broken record player. We dig a rut of woe and anxiety. But step out of the rut and get some perspective. The trial is real, and you bring it to the Lord. But the blessings are also real. Remember to give thanks.

We can have great peace in a life filled with trials as we remember his presence, bring our cares to him, and give thanks to him for his continuous blessings.

We Can Have Great Peace in a Church Filled with Differences

On By BrianIn Books of the Bible, Virtue Miscellaneous

In Acts 16, we get a glimpse of the planting of the church at Philippi. The first members include a wealthy woman, a jailor, and possibly a slave girl. These are very different people – hardly people that would have associated with each other until they came to Christ. But now in spite of their differences, they are part of the same church. And Paul admonishes them to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side, and again to be of the same mind, the same love, in full accord, of one mind (Philippians 1:27, 2:1-2). Paul calls the Philippians to oneness, to unity, to be at peace with one another.

Our own churches include some very different people (I hope). There are different backgrounds, different types of employment, different seasons of life, different opinions, different ideas, and on the list goes. And God calls us to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side. He calls us to be of the same mind, the same love, in full accord, of one mind. God calls us to oneness, to unity, to be at peace with one another.

How is this possible? How can we live in peace together in midst of all of our differences? Philippians provides us with two very important answers:

First, we must center on the gospel of the Lord (1:27). We are to strive side by side for the faith of the gospel. It is the gospel that unites us. The gospel is what brought us together. With all our differences, we became one in Christ. And we are to strive side by side for faith of the gospel. We cling to that faith together. We encourage one another in that faith. We proclaim the faith together. We live that faith together. As soon as we elevate our differences above the gospel, we have problems. As soon as we start chasing after our own pet projects, we have problems. As soon as we come to church expecting things to follow our own opinions, we have problems. The gospel brought us together and it is the gospel that will keep us together as we strive side by side for the faith of the gospel, as we keep the gospel central.

Second, we must walk in the humility of the Lord (2:3-8). There is to be no rivalry among us – it is not about getting my way. There is to be no conceit among us – thinking we are better than others. Instead we are to humbly put others first. We are to look beyond ourselves to the good of the others. It is not about you…or me. Strife is hard to have when we have this kind of attitude. We are to have the same attitude that our Lord had as he humbled himself, coming down from heaven to be born as a little baby and ultimately die on the cross. This is God we are talking about! The King of Kings humbled himself! The only one who can honestly say it is all about him chose to humble himself. And he calls us to follow.

We can have great peace in a church filled with differences as we center on the gospel of the Lord and walk in the humility of the Lord.

We Have a Great Hope to Be Resurrected With Jesus

On By BrianIn Books of the Bible, Virtue Miscellaneous2 Comments

Today we look at the last of our great hopes from the book of Philippians. As we have already seen, we have a great hope to be with Jesus and to see his return. Today we consider that:

We have a great hope to be resurrected with Jesus. In Philippians 3:20, we read that Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. We all have lowly bodies. They are perishable and mortal, but one day we will have bodies that are imperishable and immortal (I Corinthians 15:53). They will not get sick, injured, grow old, or die. We will live forever with our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:10-11 also speak of attaining the resurrection of the dead. Today we will share in the sufferings of Christ, but one day we will be raised with Christ. This is our great hope.

But until then, we must press on toward Jesus. Paul wants to know Jesus (v8-10), and he presses on to know him more (v12-14). He is like a runner straining forward toward the goal – which is Jesus. He is not content with what he has already attained. He wants to go deeper and further into a relationship with Jesus. What about us? Are we pressing on toward Jesus? Are we seeking to grow in our relationship with him each day?

We have a great hope to be resurrected with Jesus. Until then, press on toward Jesus.