Changing the Rules

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ…Phil. 3:7

 

From Guest Blogger Amy Cox:

Imagine your team is up by four touchdowns with minutes to go, but the referees, wanting to give the other team a chance, start blowing calls and throwing unwarranted flags on your guys. You’d probably be frustrated. Changing the rules wouldn’t seem fair.

Christ’s death and resurrection also changed the rules of the game in ways not everyone fully appreciated. God had given his chosen people, Israel, the Law and instructed them to follow it. Knowing they couldn’t perfectly follow the Law He also established a system of atoning blood sacrifices, but Jesus’ death and resurrection marked a radical change to this system.

Jesus spoke of this rules change while offering the wine of communion at the last supper, saying “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26: 28). Jesus foreshadowed how His death and the shedding of His blood would finally satisfy the old covenant and usher in a new one. Israel’s sacrifices could never fully atone for their sin since, as fallen people we can never make ourselves holy. But the sacrifice of a sinless person, Jesus, could redeem us and do just that (1 Peter 1:19-20). How’s that for a game changer?

In today’s passage Paul reminds us that what the world values really isn’t worth much after all. Instead, he calls Christians to find our greatest treasure in Christ and His resurrection. Only through faith in Christ can we be righteous and know “the power of his resurrection.” But really knowing Christ also drives us to “share his sufferings,” so we can become “like him in his death, that by any means possible I (we) may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10b-11).

These verses present an uneasy, almost contradictory tension to those who aren’t fully invested in Christ. They call us to joyfully share in Christ’s wounds by willingly suffering for the cross, even though no further sacrifice is required of us other than to have faith in Christ. Paul modeled this Christian life when he rejoiced no matter what dangers surrounded him and throughout his captivity because he knew God was at work in it all. It is an uncommon life, but the only life that leads to true happiness and our eternal home.

Prayer: Lord, help me take these words, from 1 Peter 2:24, to heart so that I might live an uncommon life: “‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.’” Amen.

Stand Firm

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.  Philippians 1:29

From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:

The Philippians were undergoing the same things that Paul and Silas had experienced in Acts 16:16-24. They were being intimidated. Some of them were put in prison. Others may have experienced physical punishment such as being beaten with rods or the confiscation of property. They were suffering.

Not many of us have experienced physical violence because of our faith, but there will come a time when we need to stand firm on what we believe. We live in an age where some treat corporate policy as the basis for morality. You may face pressure from your boss to do something that is immoral or illegal. Others of us may be scorned for believing in God.

For some of us, that persecution will come from our own families or close friends. We will be excluded or ostracized from our own families because of our faith. Believing in Jesus can come at a great personal cost. Yet let us remember what Jesus said to His disciples. “If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!” (Matthew 10:25).

“Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1 Peter 4:12-14).

If you are persecuted for your faith, then the Spirit of God rests on you. And this (not the persecution) causes us to rejoice! We are to bear the image of God to the world, being His ambassadors — His representatives. Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).

Paul calls us to stand firm for the Gospel. He reminded the Philippians that it is the Lord of Hosts, the God of the angelic host, who fights by our side. And He will be victorious. It is God who will deliver us. And if God is for us, who can stand against us? (Romans 8:31)

Therefore stand firm and rejoice. The Lord is on our side.

Prayer: God of angel armies, give me strength to stand firm in the face of every trial and persecution. Amen.

#Uncommon

Christ in Me

Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.  Philippians 1:11

From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:

For much of my Christian walk I have struggled with feeling like I’m supposed to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit through my own strength. Shouldn’t I be ever-increasing in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control” (Galatians 5:22)? Yes. Absolutely! But the reason for such a change is not due to my own effort! It’s because of Who lives inside me.

In Colossians 2:9-10, we read: “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.” Earlier, Paul simply stated, “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7).

Stop trying to produce fruit in and of yourself. Just abide in the Vine. Abide in Christ. Be rooted and built up in Him. He is the Cornerstone of the spiritual temple, the Head of the Christian body, and the Spiritual Rock from which we drink from in the desert (1 Peter 2:4-6, Colossians 2:19, 1 Corinthians 10:4).

Worship leader and song writer Tim Timmons frequently talks about when he was a “Varsity Squad” Christian — he read the Bible faithfully, prayed, tithed and led worship for many years; in short, he was doing everything he was “supposed” to do. Yet, when these truths of Scripture began to dawn on him, it completely changed his perspective on what it meant to follow Jesus.

I pray we all discover the incredible meaning of, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God, lives in us. What would happen if we really lived that way?

“Christ in Me”

by Tim Timmons

The same great light that broke the dark

The same great peace that calmed the seas, hallelujah, is living in me

The same great love that gives us breath

The same great power that conquered death, hallelujah, is flowing through me

And what, what if I believed in Your power and I really lived it?

What, what if I believed Christ in me, what if I believed?

I would lay my worries down, see these hills as level ground.

What if I believed, Christ in me?

Tim Timmons singing "Christ in Me"

Prayer: Lord, help me abide in You and know that Your power is at work in my weakness. Amen.


#Uncommon

Transformed

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Romans 12:2

I think you’ll agree:  it is far easier to “go with the flow” than to work against the current. To conform to the way our society lives and thinks and acts … that doesn’t take much effort. To swim against the stream is hard. It takes intentionality. It takes effort. It means sometimes bumping painfully into those who are moving in the opposite direction.

The Christian life may not be easy; but God calls us to be different, in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-16). We are to be a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9, KJV), uncommon, countercultural. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed …” (Romans 12:2).

You might ask: “How does that transforming happen?” Great question! Notice that Paul doesn’t say, “transform yourself.” He says, “be transformed.” A quick look at 2 Corinthians 3:18 gives us a clue — “we, who…all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed” (same word as Rom. 12:2) “into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Two key thoughts here: 1) the work of transforming is done by God, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My church, Faith Lutheran in Appleton, WI, has a vision statement that begins with these important words: “Transformed by Christ to live generous and purposeful lives.” God is doing the work. Paul says elsewhere that God, “who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

2) Notice God’s transforming work is a process. It is not a single event, but a lifetime of shaping. Isaiah likens God to a potter sculpting clay — “we are all the work of Your hand,” he says (Isaiah 64:8). God uses life experiences (even the hard ones) to mold us. He uses relationships with other Christians to correct and encourage us. But most importantly, God uses His Word, the Bible, to guide and shape our spirits. This is the most important reason why we memorize scripture, why we read devotions and listen to sermons that explain the Bible — God is using His Word for His work of transforming you by the renewing of your mind.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for Your transforming work in me. Help me commit today to knowing Your Word better. Renew my mind. Lead me to be more like Christ, and to live an uncommon life. Amen.

Juggler

I was thinking today of all the "things" I try to juggle in life. Responsibilities as a husband. Responsibilities as a dad. Responsibilities as a pastor. There is just so much to do, things to get done! Then, add on top of the "to do list" the weight of all the expectations. Whether it's true or not, I sense that different people expect that I'll attend certain events, that I'll give attention to certain details, that I'll 'be there' when they're in need. And, of course, there is the expectation that I live in a god-pleasing way.

There are my worries and fears. There are my regrets. There are all the ways that people have hurt me ... and all the pain and resentment that go along with that. There are the tragedies and losses that are part of living in a broken world. There are my dreams for the future ...... Each one of those things is just huge, if you think about it.  And I'm trying to juggle all of them. But honestly, how in the world can I keep it all going?! How can I keep all the balls in the air?!

There is that statement you always hear people say:  "God will not give you more than you can handle." Supposedly that's in the Bible somewhere. Somehow that's supposed to be a comfort.

Let me just say it:  NONSENSE!! People say that's what the Bible says. But it doesn't! And I think it's actually quite the opposite of what the Bible teaches. True, 1 Corinthians 10 says "he will not let you be TEMPTED beyond what you can bear." But I don't believe the Bible teaches that our BURDENS will be limited to what we can bear.

I have friends whose children have died tragically. I have friends whose spouses died way too young ... and so they're left to raise their children as widows. I have friends who carry the weight of betrayal (a cheating spouse or an abusive relative), the deep pain of addiction (alcohol, drugs, pornography), and the shame of failure (businesses they couldn't keep going, children who have walked away from their faith). Every single one alone WAY BEYOND what they can carry themselves! Yet God, in His wisdom, allows those burdens in their lives.

Why?? I can't fully say, because I am not God; and the Bible does say that His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55). But I believe that in part, God allows those burdens (that are bigger than our ability to carry or juggle them) SO THAT WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TRUST IN HIM AND NOT IN OURSELVES.

From the beginning of the Bible to the end -- it seems from my reading -- there is ONE THING God asks of us:  TRUST.  It is why He used a runt named Gideon ... why He chose the scrawny kid named David ... why He called a pride-filled murderer named Paul. Anything they accomplished was not by their own strength or knowledge or wisdom but by GOD'S POWER.

I don't know what you're burdened by today. But I know what I'm facing. And I am thankful for His invitation (1 Peter 5:7): "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." And I hold on to His promise (Psalm 146:5): "BLESSED is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God." So I'm listening to His words of wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and he will make your paths straight."