A Year of Grace

Psalm 24:1 – The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.The world and all its people belong to him.
² For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas
and built it on the ocean depths.

³ Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
who do not worship idols
and never tell lies.
⁵ They will receive the Lord’s blessing
and have a right relationship with God their savior.
⁶ Such people may seek you
and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.

⁷ Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
⁸ Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty;
the Lord, invincible in battle.
⁹ Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
¹⁰ Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—
he is the King of glory. (NLT) 

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”  Here is the basis of our belief.  Indeed, the very first verse of the Bible affirms this: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).  We must recognize this basic fact of our relationship with God – God is our creator, and God is the creator of all things.  Seven times in the very first chapter of the Bible we are told that God looked at what God created and said that it was good.  What has been created is Good Stuff!  

Recognizing that God created all things, we must also recognize a responsibility that God has given to humanity – to care for God’s creation.  In Genesis 1:28, God gives humanity dominion over the earth.  We are given the responsibility to care for God’s creation.  Certainly we have a responsibility to care for humanity, but our responsibility goes beyond humans.  Our responsibility is for all things created. 

Many churches do great work in their care for humanity, but we must not forget the rest of God’s creation.  As Christians, we do have a responsibility to be good stewards of our natural resources.  In fact, if we are better stewards of our natural resources, we will be better able to care for humanity.  

Psalm 24 affirms several times that God is the King of glory.  Psalm 104:31 tells us:  “May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made!”  God does take pleasure in all that God created.  God wants us to take pleasure in creation, as well.  So that future generations of God’s children may take pleasure in creation, we must be wise stewards of the created world.  There is, indeed, a correlation between being a Christian and caring for the environment!  Today, let us be mindful of God’s creation, doing our part to conserve and recycle.  

Posted by Ramón Torres 

Acts 4:18 – Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (NLT)

Why do many Christians resist sharing the Good News of Jesus with others?  I’ve often asked this question to various people, Sunday School Classes, and church groups. Common answers that I have received include: we don’t want to appear judgmental; we don’t want to seem hypocritical; we are afraid of being rejected; we don’t know how!  I’ve heard other answers, as well, but the overwhelming theme seems to be fear of failure.

In today’s passage from Acts, we have a picture into the Church in its infancy.  There is something striking about the early church – their dependence upon the Holy Spirit!  In the first five chapters of Acts alone, we encounter the work of the Holy Spirit over fifteen times. Here, in chapter four, Peter is speaking before the Jewish leaders, defending the actions of the followers of Jesus.  We are told in Acts 4:8 that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit before he began to speak.  Having been filled with the Holy Spirit, let us note what Peter says in verse twenty: “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Peter was human. I think that it is safe to say that before receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter had a healthy level of fear of failure within him. That all changed when he was filled with the Holy Spirit! Because of the Holy Spirit, Peter could not help himself.  Perhaps this is why so many mainline Christians fear the Holy Spirit!  The Holy Spirit will move us forward.  Consider the last verse of this passage: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”  Sharing God’s truth – and even living God’s truth – takes a boldness that we most often cannot find within ourselves.  Jesus tells us, however, that the Holy Spirit is available to us, and that the Holy Spirit will help us (John 14:16).

When we are weak – or scared – the Spirit strengthens us.  Today, let us seek the Holy Spirit, that we might be bold in word and action.

Posted by Ramón Torres

James 5:1 – Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. ² Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. ³ Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment. ⁴ For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

⁵ You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you. (NLT)

Ouch! James has gone from practical faith to downright meddling!  Or so it seems when we consider this passage from a human point of view.  Does the Word of God condemn the rich?  Compared to most of the people in the world, and certainly when compared to even the rich of James’ day, we are the rich who live in luxury.  Do we not have most every desire of ours satisfied?  Then what are we to do with this passage that appears to condemn most middle and upper-class Americans? Let us remember, while Jesus certainly challenged the rich, there was only one person that he ever told to go and sell all that he had and give it to the poor.  Jesus was not anti-wealth.  The Word of God is not anti-wealth.  The Word of God is, however, opposed to those who value wealth over people.

Consider what the prophet Amos said to the rich women of the land.  “Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!”  (Amos 4:1 NLT)  Now forget the word ‘women’, this is the Word of God, so it speaks to all, male and female.  Forget the ‘drink’ in “Bring us another drink”.  In fact, you can substitute anything you want in place of ‘drink’.  Amos was telling the rich people that because they were living lavish lifestyles while people were starving, they were wrong and sinful in the eyes of God. 

This is what James is telling us in this passage.  Because God cares for every human being, we must care for every human being.  To have much is not a sin.  To have much and not be willing to give to those less fortunate is a sin.  Well, then, some may ask just how much we are required to give.  That, my friends, is between you and God.  You should, however, seriously talk this over with God!  It is the will of God that all Christians be generous.  Consider 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Then in verse eleven Paul writes: “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God”.

Each of us, this very day, will be granted by God an opportunity to be generous.  Let’s be ready for that opportunity! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

James 4:13 – Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” ¹⁴ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. ¹⁵ What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. 

¹⁷ Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (NLT) 

Christian faith put into practice daily – that’s what the Book of James is all about.  In this short passage we have one of the most powerful verses concerning our daily lives, but first let’s consider the uncertainty of life.

None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow, today is a precious gift.  It is a gift to be lived to the fullest.  The Bible is full of such references to the frailty of mortal life.  Psalm 102:11 – “My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows.”  All too often we become so preoccupied with planning for the future that we miss out on living life to the fullest right now.

The powerful verse from this passage is verse seventeen: “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”  This brings the definition of sin to a whole new level!  We clearly know what sins of commission are – doing those things that are contrary to God’s will.  In verse seventeen we are taught about sins of omission – not doing the things that God desires.  We can live our lives with an appearance of godliness.  We can avoid, to the best of our human ability, sins of commission.  By our outward appearance many would consider us a fine example of Christianity, yet we can still be living a blatantly sinful life.  When we fail to do the things that God puts upon our hearts, we have sinned.  Was it God urging us to be more generous, and we failed to do so?  Was it God that urged us to speak to that person, and we didn’t?  When we know what we ought to do, but do not do it, we have sinned. 

We all need a Savior!  Thanks be to God that Jesus paid for our sins!  Today, let’s do two things.  First, let us thank God for grace and forgiveness.  Second, let us seek God’s Spirit to give us the strength to do what we know God desires of us.  By doing so, we will live life to the fullest, and that’s Good Stuff! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

James 2:14 – What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? ¹⁵ Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, ¹⁶ and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

¹⁷ So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

¹⁸ Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

¹⁹ You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. ²⁰ How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

²¹ Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. ²³ And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. ²⁴ So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

²⁵ Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. ²⁶ Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. (NLT)

I still remember the very first sermon that I ever preached.  The title was: Is Your Faith Practical?  I focused on the word practical, which means to be able to be put into practice.  The Book of James is about practical faith.  There are some who would argue that James and Paul are at odds with one another.  They claim that James contradicts Paul. Not so!  Consider what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:24 – “But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you.” 

Paul implies in that passage that faith is meant to be put into practice.  Paul dealt with many churches that emphasized that Christians are saved by the things they do.  That is not the case, and that is why Paul emphasizes salvation by faith alone.  However, Paul recognized that faith produces works.  Consider these Pauline passages:

Titus 2:7 – And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind.

1 Timothy 6:18 – They should be rich in good works.

Philippians 2:12 – Work hard to show the results of your salvation. 

We are not saved by our works, but by faith.  The faith that saves us will then produce fruit, and the evidence of that fruit is the work we do.  Today, let us let the world see the results of our salvation! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Philippians 3:1 – Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

² Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. ³ For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, ⁴ though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

⁵ I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. ⁶ I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

⁷ I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. ⁸ Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ ⁹ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, ¹¹ so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! (NLT)

As we continue in Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi, we come across some strong words from the Apostle!  In verse two he speaks of ‘dogs’, and people who do evil.  Some scholars have believed that because of his change in tone, that this is part of another letter that was inserted here.  If there is a change in tone, it was probably due to the fact that Paul was writing about the Judaizers – a strict group of Jewish Christians who claimed that one must still adhere to the Jewish laws in order to obtain salvation.  From his letter to the Galatians, we know that Paul had very strong feelings about the Judaizers (not to mention the fact that they were partly responsible for his imprisonment). 

The Judaizers put their hope in human effort. Paul then tells us that if human effort were worth something, that he would be at the head of his class!  Paul had come to know, however, that none of his efforts were worth anything.  Consider verse seven: “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.”  Just how worthless did Paul consider human efforts to be?  Let’s look at verse eight: “For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”  The word that we translate as garbage is σκύβαλον, which was the Greek word used for the excrement of farm animals!  Two things we can learn from this.  First, sometimes the biblical translators clean up the Greek!  Second, human effort does nothing for us when it comes to salvation.  There is only one way of becoming right with God, and that is through faith (verse 9).

Today, let us celebrate our faith!  Let us celebrate that we not only can be right with God through faith, but as Paul tells us in verse ten, we can experience the same power that raised Christ from the dead! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Philippians 2:12 – Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)

Verse twelve tells us to work out our own salvation.  Can we actually do that?  Yes, that is what Paul seems to be saying in verse twelve from today’s passage.  To properly understand this verse, let us put it into context.  Paul is not writing to people who do not yet know Jesus, he was writing to people whose salvation was secure.  Remember, he had been writing to them about keeping among their church members the same mind as Jesus, plus he has been saying that he may not be able to return to them.  So in verse twelve, Paul is essentially saying that they are to follow the Christian way of life without further assistance from Paul.  Consider the New Living Translation: “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation.”

Verse twelve also mentions fear and trembling.  This term causes some to raise a few questions.  When we hear the phrase ‘fear and trembling’, we may think of someone cowering in fear.  In the Biblical sense, ‘fear and trembling’ means to live in a deep and personal relationship with God.  It speaks of awe and reverence, not cowardice.   This deep personal relationship with God is to be displayed in our relationships with others.  In 2 Corinthians 7:15, Paul is rejoicing over the way that the Corinthians had received Titus.  He writes: “And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.”  They did not fear Titus, but rather they shared their relationship with God through their relationship with Titus. 

Keeping this in mind, Paul tells the Philippians that if they are faithful in doing this, that they will shine like the stars in the sky (verse 15).  The word Paul uses for ‘shine’ is literally ‘light givers’.  So, in this passage Paul is telling us three things: Keep living the Christian life, doing the good things that God has created us to do; Let the relationship we have with God be displayed in our relationship with others; be a light giver.

How better to glorify the Light of the world than to give that Light to others!  That’s good stuff! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Philippians 2:1 – Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (NIV)

Today’s Scripture picks up where we left off last week.  In that passage we looked at how God will use us to spread the gospel – if we are willing – in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. Having made that case, Paul begins this section with ‘therefore’, indicating that he will discuss how to move forward with the gospel.   If we are going to share the message, then we must do something for one another.  If we are going to share the message, then we must strengthen one another.

We strengthen one another by first being strengthened by the Holy Spirit.  Verses one and two speak of this.  The word encouragement used in verse one is the same word used by Jesus in the Gospel of John to describe the work of the Holy Spirit.  Having been strengthened by the Holy Spirit, we are then able to selflessly work with one another to spread the Good News (verse 3).  We must guard against a spirit of division by looking to one another’s interests (verse 4).

To further state his case for like-mindedness, Paul quotes from an early church liturgy.  Verses five through eleven are traditionally known as the “Christ Hymn.”  This ‘hymn’ may or may not have been sung, but it was part of a worship liturgy.  How powerful it would be if we were to live out our daily lives with the same mindset as Christ Jesus, yet that is what this ancient hymn is all about!  Jesus never sought any earthly advantage over others (verse 6).  Even though he was God in the flesh, he took the very nature of a servant (verse 7).  He was obedient to the will of God, even to the point of death (verse 8).

Today, let us seek to humble ourselves, and seek to have the mindset of Jesus.  Let us serve others, and seek to be obedient to the will of God. 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Philippians 1:12 – Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸ But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. ²⁰ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. (NLT)

This week we continue in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi.  Here is Paul, the most active of all Christian missionaries, yet his missionary journeys have been cut short.  Or have they?  Even while imprisoned, Paul continues to spread the gospel message. Our lesson is that we do not have to be on a mission trip to spread the gospel.  This passage teaches us that we all have the opportunity to share the Good News, no matter what our circumstance.

Consider verse thirteen: “As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” The palace guards were soldiers whose duty it was to guard official Roman palaces.  This would include all high ranking Roman officials.  Before being sent to Rome, Paul spent as long as two years imprisoned in Caesarea at the Governor’s palace.  For several years Paul had been guarded by palace guards. Paul says the knowledge of Christ had spread through the whole palace guard.  We know from ancient writings that because of the high security risks involved within the palace guards, that they were rotated every few months. Within several years Paul had the opportunity to witness to a large number of guards.  In turn, some of those guards spoke to others about Jesus.  From his imprisonment, the Gospel had spread far and wide! 

Paul goes on to say there has been yet another result of his imprisonment.  It seems that there were Christians in the city in which he was in prison, and those Christians had been stirred up because of his presence.  Verse fourteen tells us: “And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”  Paul was imprisoned for a number of years, but many people who came to know Jesus may have never known had he not been imprisoned!

We may have seasons – or years – where we don’t really like where we are in life.  We must remember, however, that God wants to use us where we are!  If your circumstances don’t seem favorable to you, consider who it is that you have the opportunity to share the message of Jesus.  Today, let us consider who those people are that God is has brought our way so that we may share – no matter what our circumstance. 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Philippians 1:1 – Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (NLT)

In today’s passage we have the opening verses of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, a city named after the father of Alexander the Great.  Paul first visited Philippi in 52 AD.  Luke, the author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke, was a traveling companion of Paul during his first visit to Philippi, and in Acts 16 he records their meeting with Lydia.  Lydia was a successful business woman who became instrumental in the establishment of the church in Philippi.  At the time that he Paul wrote this letter, the Church in Philippi was growing steadily.  It was probably a fairly wealthy Church for its time.  They had been called upon by Paul on several occasions to help in ministry in other areas, and to help Paul, as well.

Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned in Rome, not long before the end of his life. Vast changes had swept through the Church by this time. Christianity was no longer associated with Judaism.  Consider how radical this was in the life of Paul. He began as a Pharisee in the Jewish faith, now he was the elder statesman of a Gentile religious movement. It is important for us to recognize these radical changes in the Church and in Paul’s life so that we may better understand the depth of his words in this passage. 

In verse five Paul speaks about their partnership in the Gospel from the first day until the present.  Much had changed from that first day, yet these people had remained faithful.  I suppose we have all seen some changes in the Church in our lifetime, maybe some good and some not so good.  We are called, however, to remain faithful like the Philippians.  We, too, are in partnership with the Philippians, Paul, and all of those who have come before us. We partner with them in living out the gospel, confident that the one who began this work in us will see it to completion (verse 6).  In this endeavor, we should pray for one another as Paul prayed for the Christians in Philippi: that our love may abound more and more as we grow in insight; that we will be able to discern what is best; and that we would be filled with the fruit of righteousness (verses 9-10).

Today, let us remember that together we are partners in this calling! 

Posted by Ramón Torres