Privilege of Trusting; Privilege of Suffering

Twin privileges that Paul expresses to the Philippians in Phil 1.29. These twin privileges were given to the believers in Philippi, or as Paul puts it: For you have been given, not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are surprised at this second privilege and it is here that we enter the deep waters of faith. It is a privilege to suffer for Christ? Isn't this something we endure; something that we bear up under until the weight of suffering goes away? A privilege?

I think that Paul would consider it a privilege because suffering is indicative of someone who truly believes. One's faith is tested at the point of suffering. It's easy to be a disciple of Christ when it costs me nothing, but when it is costly, then my commitment is truly tested. To the extent that the Philippians were bearing up under suffering, their faith was proving genuine, and this was a privilege indeed.

The Purpose of Judgment

The purpose of judgment is stated in Joel 3.17; it is so that nations will all know that I am the Lord your God who dwells in Zion. God brings judgment upon people and nations so that they will understand that he is God, whether they like it or not. This reminds me of Paul's description of the future in Phil 2.9,10, where he says that God will highly exalt Christ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess; they may not like it, and they may hate Christ, but they will bow and confess because he is King. Judgment will demonstrate the same thing to all the nations.

Peace and How to Attain It

In Philippians 4.6,7, this morning. One do not, and one do. DO NOT be anxious about anything. DO let your requests be made known to God (with thanksgiving of course!). Paul gives a command here so we ought to take it as a command, not as an opinion. When our hearts are anxious (and they will be) take it to the Lord. It's funny that Paul doesn't promise any positive outcome here, at least from our own human framework and desires. He only promises the peace of God. That is enough.

John Calvin weighs in: For we are not made of iron, nor of steel so as not to be shaken by temptations. But this is our consolation, this is our solace —to deposit, or (to speak with greater propriety) to disburden in the bosom of God everything that harasses us.

The Worthlessness of All Things (In Comparison to Knowing Christ)

Thus Paul in Philippians 3.8. Paul speaks truthfully (this is not a boast on his part, it's just a fact) when he says that he suffered the loss of all things for Christ's sake. In comparison to knowing Christ everything else—everything else!—is σκύβαλον skubalon. The word can mean either dung (the equivalent word in English is probably best translated shit) or it can mean refuse or rubbish. You get the point though. Paul metaphorically piles everything that he is and has on one side of the ledger and knowing Christ on the other side of the ledger and says, "all of this stuff on this side is worthless, nothing, garbage. Christ? Everything." It is a very strong statement and Paul means it to be understood that way.

Like Fingernails on a Blackboard; Like the Sweetest Music

Reading in Philippians 2.9-11, this morning. I heard a testimony once from Mary Poplin, who was a radical feminist, before she got saved. She said that hearing the name of Jesus before she got saved, was like hearing fingernails on a blackboard to her. The reason that the name of Jesus is like fingernails on a blackboard to some, and like the sweetest music to others, is explained in these verses. There will come a day when, at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This will be to God's glory. If you do not believe in Christ, you will bow; if you do believe in Christ, you will bow. The first will bow out of compulsion, the second out of love and honor.

As the Bible Speaks Today commentary points out: A confession made for the first time in response to the visible manifestation of his glory will not be a saving confession, but a grudging acknowledgment wrested by overmastering divine power from lips still as unbelieving as they were through their whole earthly experience. All will submit, all will confess, but not all will be saved.

Christ Magnified in my LIfe...or Death

My Bible reading highlight this morning was Phil 1.20. I am wondering what Paul meant that his eager expectation and hope was that Christ would be magnified in his body, whether in life or death. I'll reveal heavy influence from Jonathan Edwards via John Piper here. Christ is magnified in Paul's life (and in mine) when he is the object of our devotion above all other things. Is there something I hold more dear than Christ? Then he is not magnified in my life. If he is all and everything; if he is the object of my devotion, then he is magnified (BDAG interprets the Greek word in this way: to cause to be held in greater esteem through praise or deeds, exalt, glorify, magnify, speak highly of ). Piper puts this as "making Christ look great" both in my deeds and devotion. May Paul's desire, be my desire. May Christ be all.