v. 1. This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.Would it not be something truly wonderful to be able to say that "all of God's holy people" in Memphis, or Dallas, or Tulsa, or Hot Springs, or Madrid, or wherever, were "standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News"?
vv. 4-5. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.
v. 27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
Assorted thoughts on missions, culture, and working with God to rebuild the spiritual Zion. "We, your servants, love each stone in the city, and we are sad to see them lying in the dirt." Psalm 102.14 (Contemporary English Version)
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thoughts from Philippians on the City Church
I was just reading through Philippians in the New Living Translation, and, with the post from yesterday on the City Church on my mind, the following verses stood out to me:
Philippians 1:15-20 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. (16) The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (17) The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
ReplyDelete(18) WHAT THEN? (so why should i get anxious about that? phlp 4)
Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, (19)...my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed...
We can be unified when we are more focused on what God called us to do and are not 'undone' trying to shepherd everyone else. Jesus told us the wheat/tare distinctions would be to hard to make. We should assume that some in the city are right on track and others are bogus without having to sort it all out (in defiance of Jesus warning that we will tear up wheat rooting out tares!).
I wish, with all my heart that I could read something in the Bible that would touch me deeply enough to comment on it.
ReplyDeleteGood for you.
For me... there is hope.
Blessings.
Pixie,
ReplyDeleteI have prayed that the God who inspired the Bible would see your heart and grant you your wish.
My experience has been that if you come with an open mind, and a deep desire to really know the truth, you will not be disappointed in what the Bible has to offer.
May you find the peace you are seeking for.
David
Yes, it would be great, David.
ReplyDeletePixie-
ReplyDelete"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."