#Philippians3 - Paul says "Poop" in the Bible

Philippians 3:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

It's true, if you look closely enough. In verse 8 Paul says, "I consider them garbage" (other translations read rubbish, filth, refuse). I did a little research and the Greek work here is skybalon, which means...you guessed it...poop. Blue Letter Bible defines it this way, "Any refuse, as the excrement of animals, offscourings, rubbish, dregs - OR - of things worthless and detestable." Now, it's not just the fact that Paul says "poop" in the Bible that was interesting to me. It's that he is using in a comparison. You see, after listing all of his credentials, all of his bragging rights, all of his trophies and awards and accomplishments as they relate to obedience in the law, Paul says that these things are like poop compared to "the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." To Paul there was nothing greater, or even close, to knowing that our identity could be found in Christ and that we could be made righteous through faith in him. Pretty cool.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

In verses 12-14, Paul uses the example of a race to describe the Christian life. He says that we should press on, and strain towards what is ahead, toward the goal to win the prize. (Note that this language does not imply that we have to earn our salvation as a competition, but that living the Christian life requires perseverance and focus.) Another great passage that uses this race analogy comes from the book of Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1-3. It says, "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." A lot of the same language.

3. So what does this mean for my life?

It is interesting to me that Paul shares the fullness of knowing Christ includes becoming like him in his death and participation in his sufferings. Jesus served others, and he did so even at the cost of his life. If I want to become like Christ, it is going to mean serving and sacrificing for others even at my own cost. Maybe I won't be called to physically die for someone, but it almost certainly will cost me the life that I might desire from a worldly perspective.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

When Paul says in verse 19, "We eagerly await a Savior from there [heavan]..." when was he expecting Jesus to return? I would love to travel in time and find out from the apostles when they expected Jesus to come back in glory. They almost all write as if it could be any day, and now it's been 2000 years. But I know that God is not slow as we understand it, and his ways are higher than mine. So without understanding, I'll just trust and be ready.

Tomorrow, we'll wrap up the book of Philippians with chapter 4. After that we'll do Colossians and be done with that on the 24th. Feel free to leave any comments you might have.

In Christ,
Dan

#Romans10 - Righteousness For Everyone Who Believes

Romans 10: 

1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?

Well, as if to answer my questions from yesterday, Paul gives a clarifying chapter which contains many repetitions of several words: Righteousness, saved, everyone, and believes/faith. Paul starts the chapter clarifying that he desires the Israelites to be saved, but they are missing the one who is able to make them righteous. While he generalizes Israel as a whole group, we know that there are many (but not a majority) who have put their faith in Christ. He states that the Israelites are still holding on to the law as the means to righteousness, as if they could somehow earn salvation. But Paul couldn't be any clearer in this passage. Multiple times he reminds us that God's love and offer of salvation is for EVERYONE, but it is those who believe and accept the good news who actually receive eternal life. "Everyone who believes," "Anyone who believes," "all who call on him," "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord." These are the phrases Paul uses throughout this chapter, and this is what compels him to preach, to teach, to equip, to send, to go.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture you know?

One of the most well known verses in the Bible (arguably the most quoted), is John 3:16. Coming from a different author quoting Jesus, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life." That sounds a lot like Paul in this passage, right? Also, in verse 16, Paul states "Not all the Israelites accepted the good news." This isn't some theological philosophical argument. He is speaking from his personal experience. Prior to reading Romans I read the book of Acts. In it we see all kinds of cases where Paul's preaching and miracles turn many to believe in the faith, but still many harden their hearts and reject Paul and the gospel of Jesus.

3. So what does this mean for my life?

The first thing I thought of also happens to be from the first verse of the chapter. Even though Paul had been rejected, resisted, persecuted, ridiculed, and put on trial by the Jews, his heart remain unchanged. His deepest desire was for them to know the deep love of God through faith in Jesus Christ, that they may enter into the new covenant God was putting in place and receive the Holy Spirit to live out the life God has prepared for us. When Jesus said "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you," I believe this is a big part of it. I've seen it in missionaries who go to places where they may be killed. Their biggest prayer is not safety, but that the people they see would come to know Jesus is a mighty way. That's the heart I want.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

It's not so much the actual passage that I have a question about, but rather a second level question. In the previous chapter Paul says, "Not all Israel is Israel, and not all of God's children are descendants of Abraham." I understand that he is also referring to Gentiles coming to faith in Christ and being adopted as God's children. But what is God's relationship with the nation of Israel (or the Jewish people) now? Is there still a special covenant with Israel, or has that "dissolved" so to speak and been "replaced" with the new covenant for all who believe in Jesus? Do we take on the promises God made to Israel and apply them now to Christians? Or do they still apply to Jews who believe in God, but not Jesus as Messiah? Please don't read anything political into this question. It's a very honest question about the Bible that stems from this and the previous chapter.

In Christ,
Dan

#Romans3 - Best Gospel Explanation

Romans 3: 

1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?

In my opinion, verses 19-26 hold one of the most concise, clear, compelling explanation of God's plan of salvation, the gospel of Jesus Christ. It begins with knowing that we will all be held accountable to God someday, and that we will all be found guilty. In fact, verse 20 says that the law actually guides us to realize our sinfulness. This passage basically says there are two ways to be found righteous - 1. By being perfect according to the law (which nobody except Jesus is able to do), and 2. By putting our faith in Jesus Christ and believing in him. It declares redemption and atonement through Christ, to be received by faith. It describes God as a just judge, and as the merciful provider for our penalty through Christ. I think this is a passage every Christian should read thoroughly to understand that we are not justified by works, that we are never found righteous through doing enough good things, that we will never earn our way to heaven. Rather we are forgiven of our sins and given eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, no matter what our background is.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

Ephesians 2 has another similar explanation of the gospel, clarifying that "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith...not by works, so that no one can boast." Galatians 2 also contains a passage very similar, especially in emphasizing that Jews and Gentiles are both justified by faith in Jesus Christ.

3. So what does this mean for my life?

Passages like this don't necessary have direct action applications, but sometimes the application of Scripture is not just in right "doing" but in right "thinking." For me, this passage really has been instrumental in helping me to understand the basic gospel message. It has also been very helpful to share that message with others using Biblical truth rather than just my own "analogies". If ever there was a passage to memorize, this would be right up there in my book. It is so central to our own faith, as well as being a powerful truth to equip us in sharing our faith with others.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

The first 8 verses are a little confusing. I think Paul is basically saying that the fact that our sin makes God's holiness even more obvious isn't an excuse to keep on sinning. My question is, "Is that a fair summarization? Am I missing something?"

In Christ,
Dan