by David Brenneman
"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." Philippians 3:1-21.
Matthew 6:33 says to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be provided to you.
How often do you find yourself seeking anything in Christ?
While in many places in his writings Paul exhorted Believers to stand firm...while you're standing firm...you ought also to be seeking His kingdom.
For many the first thing Monday is just our getting back to what life is about outside of doing what we normally do on a Sunday Morning. Some don't even wait that long. Before church lets out they're already making plans for watching a game or several. Wondering if they have enough food to get through them all. Who will watch it with them. They also have purposed in their hearts to shut out the world during this time. Any interruptions are unacceptable.
For others it's the same vein yet for other reasons. Their hobby. Their time that they 'deserve' to go do whatever fancy's them. Just leave them alone because they want nothing to do with anything until 'their' time is done for the day.
Some go into Monday as if Sunday morning never happened. As if they weren't just with a group of people supposedly praising God and worshipping Jesus.
Some consider, whether or not they acknowledge it or not, recognize it or not, that they're putting on Christ and taking Christ off before and after their time with fellow Believer's.
Paul's exhortation of putting on Christ isn't like a change of clothes. This isn't putting on your 'Sunday best' as it used to be called. Putting on Christ is a once for all lifetime thing. Once we put off the old with it's habits we're to put on Christ and leave Christ on.
While some claim to understand my reasonings behind not getting into sports and some have perhaps seen some of my disdain for sports there's a spiritual reason why I abhor sports. It brings out the worst attributes in me spiritually. Before any get pious and stand there saying that it never happens to them. Go look in the mirror because to some extent it happens to everyone. Whether it's sports or some other thing of this world that we 'love'. Truth is our relationship with Jesus suffers when we 'love' something or someone more than we do Him in this world. With me and if anyone's honest about their behavior concerning whatever it is they 'love' in this world...it brings out the worst attributes of our hearts when those things we 'love' are slandered. Anger, bitterness, rage, are ususally the result and no it's never good to just say those sorts of things are a 'friendly' rivalry.
When we take what belongs to God and give it to anyone or anything we are sinning. Plain pure and simple.
We ought to be those who are looking for ways to know our Savior and Lord more and more. We ought to be those who show ourselves to be examples in this world rather than blending in with the world to the point they don't even suspect we are a Christian.
I've seen myself behave in ways that are shameful in retrospect when I used to get involved with sports teams. I was berating people. I was belittling people. I would get defensive, act out in anger at people all over a stupid team. Those attributes are NOT the fruit of the Spirit.
I am grieved to see people who both lead in churches as well as those who fill the pews behaving in ways that do not show the love of Christ but rather the fruits of sin all over something in this world.
What are we doing when we do these things? We are NOT drawing people to Christ when we're being prime examples of those who do not know the love of Christ.
When we lay claim to having 'forgot' to read our Bibles but we devoted hours to useless things...what are we saying is our priority in growing in Christ? That it's not high on that list? Yes that's exactly what we are saying by our thoughts and actions.
When knowing Jesus isn't your highest priority...what does that say of your walk with Jesus?
When letting your light shine in such a way that people see your good works and glorifying your Father in Heaven doesn't mean that much to you?
Yes this world has much to be had to enjoy but we should never put anything or anyone before our relationship with Jesus.
Every thought, every careless word we will give an account of before Jesus. When we berated anyone for any reason. When we possibly cussed someone out because of some mistake in a dumb football game. When we ranted and raged over someone carelessly changing lanes in front of us. When someone ripped into us because we don't like their particular hobby. When we will ooo and ahh over people in their lives and hold them up on a pedestal but have Jesus stand in a corner. When we will take the word of a celebrity but won't look to see what the Word of God has to say. When we're adamant about dolting over everything in a child's life, sacrificing time, energy and efforts for them but won't attempt the same to be with Jesus for even 15 minutes. When...well you see where all this is going.
When was the last time you got real with yourself about what's really right and true in your life? Are you guilty of the sin of thinking that you can put on and take off the new person you are in Christ? Have you been neglecting spending time in God's Word over things that do NOT matter in light of eternity? Have you convinced yourself that you are 'living the dream' and don't realize you've given in to idolatry?
As Dr. Charles Stanley pointed out...we can't see if we're engaging in idolatry...but we can ask Him if we are and to make it known to us and then to obey in getting rid of it.
While this week is yet half over we're also in the midst of a week to be thankful. Many are going to be with family. Many will plop down in front of a television while watching a game. While it's ok to enjoy such things do not cross the line and become sour examples of Christ because of it. Any Earthly Ambassador is on the job 24/7 365 days a year while representing their country or institution. You are an Ambassador of Christ if you claim to have Him be your personal Lord and Savior. You don't lay that asside for anything while the breath of life is in you. Remember that.
As the Scriptures say: guard your heart. Guard your mouth. Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Do not lean on your own understanding. Leaning on your own understanding is telling Jesus "I got this, I don't need your help!".
My Dear Reader...examine your hearts. Really look to see who's in charge of your life. Is it you? Have you decided to yet still do your own thing after coming to Christ? He didn't just save you...He came to give you life but not just life life more abundant. A life we could never see, hear, nor understand on our own.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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