Wow! I got really behind in publishing these notes, but the reading has been GOOD!
Philippians 3 is a great passage. Paul begins with comments similar to what we saw at the end of 2 Corinthians and Galatians where he is speaking against the circumcision group and speaking of the natural physical reasons that he could have confidence in his flesh. He then turns the argument and says that what confidence he could have in the flesh, he counts as rubbish-garbage for the sake of Christ (v7). He says that compared to Christ and knowing him, all else is worth nothing so he wants none of it except to know Christ and fellowship with him. True righteousness comes not from ourselves, but from God by faith in Christ Jesus (v 9).
He then continues and says that he is not at the end of the race but that he forgets what is behind him and looks only forward, straining toward the goal and the prize of the call of God (v 13-14). He also notes that this goal was not based on his own accomplishments but rather it is the goal for which Christ took hold of him. The fact is that our pursuit of God only comes by his working in our lives and taking hold of us.
He then says that we should pattern our lives after his example and of others who live according to the scripture. This is a good note in relation to discipleship! :)
He also warns that not all follow Christ and indeed some are even enemies. Unfortunately such persons are even within those who call themselves followers of Christ. But rather than focus on them, we need to focus on and eagerly await our Saviour, the one who is rescuing us. He is the one who will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body! (v21)
Let us keep running the race with all endurance! This reminds me of Hebrews 12:1 and the hope and confidence that we have in Philippians 1:6 that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Amen and thank you Lord Jesus!!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Ephesians 2
The opening sentence of chapter 2 is quite interesting and full of key information about sin and Satan.
1) We were once dead because of sin
2) Sin is the way of the world that we used to follow
3) The ruler of the kingdom of the air (Satan) is behind the ways of the world
4) Satan is at work in those who are disobedient
In verse 3 we see that we were "by nature" objects of wrath - persons destined only for God's judgement by our very nature. And that sinful nature we used to live in such a way as to please its every desire and craving.
But thanks be to God for his love and kindness who
1) made us alive with Christ (v5)
2) saved us by grace - his gift, not our work or deserving (v 5,8,9)
3) seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms (v 6)
4) He made us to do good works, which he prepared in advance for us do (v10)
Not only that, but he made us who didn't belong to him, to belong to him, to be part of his chosen, holy nation - the people of God. By the cross, Jesus both destroyed the separation between Jews and Gentiles so that they could be one in Christ, and he reconciled us to God and made peace between God and us. Jesus is our peace!
That is an amazing love and kindness that he has shown to us! He didn't do these things because we deserved them or because we were righteous, but because he loved us and wanted us to know him and to belong to him and be a part of his kingdom!
Thank you Lord Jesus for changing my nature so I am not an object of wrath, but now belong to you!
1) We were once dead because of sin
2) Sin is the way of the world that we used to follow
3) The ruler of the kingdom of the air (Satan) is behind the ways of the world
4) Satan is at work in those who are disobedient
In verse 3 we see that we were "by nature" objects of wrath - persons destined only for God's judgement by our very nature. And that sinful nature we used to live in such a way as to please its every desire and craving.
But thanks be to God for his love and kindness who
1) made us alive with Christ (v5)
2) saved us by grace - his gift, not our work or deserving (v 5,8,9)
3) seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms (v 6)
4) He made us to do good works, which he prepared in advance for us do (v10)
Not only that, but he made us who didn't belong to him, to belong to him, to be part of his chosen, holy nation - the people of God. By the cross, Jesus both destroyed the separation between Jews and Gentiles so that they could be one in Christ, and he reconciled us to God and made peace between God and us. Jesus is our peace!
That is an amazing love and kindness that he has shown to us! He didn't do these things because we deserved them or because we were righteous, but because he loved us and wanted us to know him and to belong to him and be a part of his kingdom!
Thank you Lord Jesus for changing my nature so I am not an object of wrath, but now belong to you!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Galatians 3-4
Paul gets into full swing in his argument here. His main point is to sway the Galatian believers back away from following the false teaching of the "circumcision group" who says that to be a true Christian, you must be circumcised (5:2), follow the Jewish holidays (4:10) and follow the rest of the law of Moses.
Paul is saying that they began with the Spirit (3:3), that is by believing what they heard and trusting Christ Jesus for salvation (v2), that they are now being led astray to think that human effort is required to make them "true Christians".
He says that the Law of Moses was like guardian or a schoolmaster that was put in place to guide and supervise people while they were still young (3:25). But then we were set free once faith came and that now we are heirs and not servants or schoolchildren (3:29).
Another point of interest that is harder to see in the NIV is the term "basic principles of the world" (4:3) and "weak and miserable principles" (4:9). These terms actually refer to what spiritual powers would have previously held these gentile believers captive. When read in that light, terms like "slavery" (4:3,9) make sense in a slightly different way.
The final point that I found quite interesting is Paul's description of Hagar versus Sarah and physical Jerusalem versus spiritual Jerusalem. This Jerusalem that is "above" reminds me of Revelation 12:1, the picture of spiritual Israel or Jerusalem.
The key points here are not to be pulled into a belief that we can/need to earn our way into a relationship with Christ by bein perfect or following all the rules. In chapter 5 Paul comes full circle and describes how we must not use the freedom that we have to sin but that we must still obey the law of Christ. This is crucially important to understand this distinction because this really gives the foundation for how a Christian is to relate to the law of the Old Testament - what applies and what doesn't. More on that later :).
Paul is saying that they began with the Spirit (3:3), that is by believing what they heard and trusting Christ Jesus for salvation (v2), that they are now being led astray to think that human effort is required to make them "true Christians".
He says that the Law of Moses was like guardian or a schoolmaster that was put in place to guide and supervise people while they were still young (3:25). But then we were set free once faith came and that now we are heirs and not servants or schoolchildren (3:29).
Another point of interest that is harder to see in the NIV is the term "basic principles of the world" (4:3) and "weak and miserable principles" (4:9). These terms actually refer to what spiritual powers would have previously held these gentile believers captive. When read in that light, terms like "slavery" (4:3,9) make sense in a slightly different way.
The final point that I found quite interesting is Paul's description of Hagar versus Sarah and physical Jerusalem versus spiritual Jerusalem. This Jerusalem that is "above" reminds me of Revelation 12:1, the picture of spiritual Israel or Jerusalem.
The key points here are not to be pulled into a belief that we can/need to earn our way into a relationship with Christ by bein perfect or following all the rules. In chapter 5 Paul comes full circle and describes how we must not use the freedom that we have to sin but that we must still obey the law of Christ. This is crucially important to understand this distinction because this really gives the foundation for how a Christian is to relate to the law of the Old Testament - what applies and what doesn't. More on that later :).
Ephesians 1
Wow! The letter to the Ephesians is quite different in tone and content from the Corinthian letters and the letter to the Galatian churches. Paul is laying out a more broad theological construct as opposed to responding to specific issues that have arisen in the churches.
A few things that caught my attention:
The mystery of his will - to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment (not yet) - "to bring all things in hearven and on earth together under one head, even Christ" (v9-10). This is speaking of things to come and God's eternal plans that are being revealed to us.
"Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's posession" (v 13-14). When we believed, we are given the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit of the good things that are to come. Obviously the Holy Spirit is much more than that, being the very God himself. It is an amazing thing that God has done by coming to live in our hearts and lives through the Holy Spirit! That does call for a round of "praise of his glory"! (v 14).
These are some powerful and amazing prayers that Paul prays for these believers:
1) God the Father would give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. He has acknowledged that they have the Holy Spirit, but Paul is praying for more so that they may know God better, that the Spirit would guide them in how to live (wisdom) and show them more about God (revelation).
2) That the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (versus the eyes of our mind or our physical eyes- that we would know God from the central core of our being) that you may know a) the hope to which he has called you b) the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints c) incomparably great power for us who believe.
Again, this is some powerful stuff! God please open my spiritual eyes to see and know more of you and give me your Spirit to live and know you more!
A few things that caught my attention:
The mystery of his will - to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment (not yet) - "to bring all things in hearven and on earth together under one head, even Christ" (v9-10). This is speaking of things to come and God's eternal plans that are being revealed to us.
"Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's posession" (v 13-14). When we believed, we are given the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit of the good things that are to come. Obviously the Holy Spirit is much more than that, being the very God himself. It is an amazing thing that God has done by coming to live in our hearts and lives through the Holy Spirit! That does call for a round of "praise of his glory"! (v 14).
These are some powerful and amazing prayers that Paul prays for these believers:
1) God the Father would give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. He has acknowledged that they have the Holy Spirit, but Paul is praying for more so that they may know God better, that the Spirit would guide them in how to live (wisdom) and show them more about God (revelation).
2) That the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (versus the eyes of our mind or our physical eyes- that we would know God from the central core of our being) that you may know a) the hope to which he has called you b) the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints c) incomparably great power for us who believe.
Again, this is some powerful stuff! God please open my spiritual eyes to see and know more of you and give me your Spirit to live and know you more!
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