#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

#Philippians 1 - A Matter Of Life And Death

Philippians 1: 

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Two words appeared a couple times, and though they seemed to be contrasting each other, Paul encourages us that both are part of living the Christian life. The two words? Rejoice and suffer. Paul is writing this letter to the church in Philippi from jail in Rome. He has already been on his missionary journeys, and he knows about suffering and being rejected. Regardless of the suffering he has endured, and the Philippians may endure for the sake of Christ being preached, he says, "..because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice..." I wouldn't necessarily think about rejoicing in my sufferings, but Paul does. That stood out to me.

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

The first book I tackled with this blog was the book of Acts. It was the account of Paul's journeys on his missions. His long trial and imprisonment in Rome took place in Acts 21-28. It gives a little background to his statement in this chapter about being "in chains" for the sake of Christ. But there is another key verse that talks about rejoicing in suffering from the book of James. James 1:2-3 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

3. So what does this mean for my life?

The number 2 fear people have in the world (right behind Public Speaking, which is number 1) is dying. I think for many there is so much doubt about what comes next, or fear of judgment, that they are afraid to die. Paul gives us insight into his own approach to this in verses 20-26 by saying that in life, he can have fruitful ministry and advance the gospel message in the world. On the other hand, he even says that he desires "to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far." Paul is not afraid to die, rather he is looking forward to it. However he does not rush death. Instead he has a really healthy desire to make the most of every opportunity he has here on earth to share the gospel, with a confidence that if death should find him early he will rejoice in the presence of Jesus forever. This verse has really helped shaped my own view on life and death.

4. What questions do I have about this chapter?

Paul was saying that some were preaching Christ out of selfish ambition. What would have motivated them to preach Christ other than advancing the gospel? Money? Fame? Paul says they were trying to stir up trouble for him, but I don't know how that would happen through their preaching of Christ.

Well, that's it. Tomorrow we get a lesson in humility from Jesus himself in Philippians chapter 2.

In Christ,
Dan

#Romans5 - Peace The World Desperately Needs

1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?

As I read the first verse of chapter 5, I could not help but be swept away by the word "peace." Maybe it's because of the unrest (a gross understatement) in the Middle East. Maybe it's because of terrorism. Maybe it's because I just watched "Mockingjay Part 1," following the other Hunger Games movies, where PEACE is arguably the most desired and unattainable goal for Catniss. Since the creation of the world, people have been at war with God. Deep down, we want to be the "captain of our own soul, master of our own fate" to reference William Ernest Henley. Because of our inherited sinful condition we are enemies of God, not because God is at war with us but because we are stubborn children wanting independence from the rules of a "strict" but loving father.

Personally, I can't think of any greater thing than finding peace with God. The creator of the universe, the perfect and righteous judge, the loving and merciful father, the groom who pursues his cherished bride daily is calling out to us for peace. He invites us to come as we are, to put our faith in Jesus Christ, be washed of our sins, and let his love CHANGE us, TRANSFORM us, and SHAPE us into people who reflect Him more and more everyday. A cheesy Christian bumper sticker says, "No Jesus, No Peace - Know Jesus, Know Peace. I'm neither a fan of cute Christianese sayings nor bumper stickers in general, but this one has it right.

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

Philippians is another letter written by the Apostle Paul. Not surprisingly, there are some striking similarities in content. So Philippians 4 is one of the most quoted verses about peace, and in light of what we read here in Romans 5 it has a little more meaning. Philippians 4:6-7 say, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Another great verse that describes how Christ brings was actually written about him 700 years before Jesus was even born. Isaiah 53:5-6 says, "the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each us has turned to our own way..." Doesn't that sound like Romans 5? "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Wow!

3. So what does this mean for my life?

I am almost hesitant to write about suffering for Christ, because compared to so many of my Christian brothers and sisters around the world I know NOTHING of suffering. Many face mocking, harassment, being cut off from friends and family, being killed, or worse - being kept alive and tortured because they refuse to renounce their faith in Christ. There are many organizations seeking to make their stories known. One I personally have come to love and respect is Voice of the Martyrs (click here to visit their website). Our prayer tends to be for peace and an end to violence, while many of them ask us to pray instead that their enemies would find peace with God! I am convicted by them to not only offer myself for the sake of Christ, but to expect and endure and glory in suffering for Jesus's sake.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Some of Paul's wording gets a little confusing. I'm sure it was standard arguments in his time, but in our time it almost seems backward (not in the end result, just in the way it is presented). V.6-7 is one place, and some of the language in verses 12-21 make it hard to tell if Paul is comparing or contrasting Adam and Jesus. It's very possible he is doing both. Though the concepts seem pretty clear, the language gets a little tricky. That's not a real question, but it was confusing for me upon first reading it.

Funny how my longest post yet also happens to be the latest post, leaking into the "next day." Anyway, lots of good stuff.

In Christ,
Dan

Acts 5 - Worthy of suffering

This was a longer chapter, with several different stories and angles. God was very active in this chapter: judging the disobedient, setting apostles free from jail, teaching and healing through the apostles, etc. I'll share a few of my thought and then I'd love to hear some thoughts from others.

Acts 5

1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?

I think the response of the Jewish council is interesting. Gamaliel has some wise words, but when Christianity didn't "just go away" I wonder if any of them thought, "Hmmm, maybe this is of God, and maybe I should stop fighting it." They were upset that they were being pointed at as being guilty of killing Jesus, but really, Peter was still giving them a chance to repent. Yes, they were guilty of killing the Son of God, but they had a chance to repent like all the rest of the people (us included) and receive God's grace and forgiveness through Jesus. 

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

Two connections formed from different parts of the chapter. The first story in the chapter is a troubling one, no doubt. When Ananias and Sapphira keep back a portion of the field they are killed, not by people, but by God. To me, it seems very harsh and "overkill". But there must be more that we don't really know about. But it reminded me of Malachi 3:8, "Will man rob God?" It's in the context of holding back from God what is rightfully his, in terms of tithes and offerings. 

The other connection is from Acts 5:31, where the disciples counted themselves worthy of suffering for the Name. In Philippians 3:10, Paul writes about the desire to know Christ, the power of the resurrection, and participation in suffering. The apostles (and later Paul) considered it joy to suffer in the same manner and for the sake of Jesus, who suffered greatly for each of them (and all of us).

3. What does this mean for my life?

Actually the verse that really spoke to me as a challenge for my own life was the last verse of the chapter, which says, "Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah." Similar to yesterdays desire for boldness in preaching, this verse challenged me to talk about Jesus when I'm at church, or camp, or at home, or at the doctor, or at someone else's house, etc. Not that I shouldn't use discretion and tact, but I hope that I am not ashamed when the opportunity arises to talk about Jesus.

4. What questions do I have about this chapter?

I really would like to know more about Ananias and Sapphira. I mean, it seems like they did a really good thing. They sold a field that they owned, and gave almost all of it to God. That's more than 10%. We can't blame the apostles (the church) for being greedy or manipulative because they neither pronounced the death sentence nor carried it out. It was all God. However there was something about they way that they "lied to the Holy Spirit," and to men, that God pronounced judgment. I just wish God would have given us more specific insight so I don't do the same thing. I'm like the disciples who always asked Jesus, "Explain the parable, cause I didn't get it." :)

Lots of great stuff in this chapter. Feel free to leave a thought or a comment. Maybe you just want to reply to one of the four questions, or maybe you want to respond to one of my comments. Either way, join in the reading and the conversation. God's blessings. Thanks for praying for me and supporting me in this journey.

In Christ,
Dan