Bible League: Living His Word And do what you learned and received from me--what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.The Bible does more than just tell us how to get to heaven. The Bible is the source book for a complete way of life---the Christian way of life. When the Bible enters into a culture it changes the way life is viewed and the way it is lived. The Bible is radical and transformative. As a consequence, there is a need for examples of what it means to be a Christian within each cultural context. In our verses for today the Apostle Paul offers himself as an example that the Philippian church can imitate. At first glance, this may seem somewhat arrogant on Paul's part. However, when one considers the pagan way of life into which Paul was introducing the Christian way of life, one can see the necessity for Paul's offer. People need examples of what to believe and what to do. It's not as if Paul was conveniently overlooking his own imperfections. He said, "All the other apostles are greater than I am. I say this because I persecuted the church of God. That is why I am not even good enough to be called an apostle" (I Corinthians 15:9). However, Paul had left his old way of life behind him and he was trying hard to live the new way of life (Philippians 3:13). He knew that the church at Philippi could use his example of what the new life in Christ looks like. Paul himself had an example. He said, "Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1). Jesus Christ, of course, is every believer's ultimate example. Given this, some might wonder why Paul didn't just refer his new converts to the example of Christ. The reason is that Jesus was not available to them in their situation as was Paul. Despite his imperfections, Paul was the best thing immediately available for imitation. When leaders of the church model the Christian way of life in a specific cultural context, it is beneficial to lay down the old way of life and imitate them. If we follow their lead, God will be with us. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Samuel 4, 5, 6 1 Samuel 4 -- Philistines Take the Ark; Death of Eli NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Samuel 5 -- Philistines Smitten while Possessing the Ark NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Samuel 6 -- Philistines Return the Ark to Israel NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 12:35-59 Luke 12 -- God Knows All; Parable of the Rich Fool; Anxiety; Watchfulness NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion A gentle answer deflects anger,but harsh words make tempers flare. Insight Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insists on answering gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. Challenge To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Luke 23:33 The place which is called Calvary.The hill of comfort is the hill of Calvary; the house of consolation is built with the wood of the cross; the temple of heavenly blessing is founded upon the riven rock--riven by the spear which pierced his side. No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul like Calvary's tragedy. "Is it not strange, the darkest hour That ever dawned on sinful earth, Should touch the heart with softer power, For comfort, than an angel's mirth? That to the Cross the mourner's eye should turn, Sooner than where the stars of Bethlehem burn?" Light springs from the midday-midnight of Golgotha, and every herb of the field blooms sweetly beneath the shadow of the once accursed tree. In that place of thirst, grace hath dug a fountain which ever gusheth with waters pure as crystal, each drop capable of alleviating the woes of mankind. You who have had your seasons of conflict, will confess that it was not at Olivet that you ever found comfort, not on the hill of Sinai, nor on Tabor; but Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha have been a means of comfort to you. The bitter herbs of Gethsemane have often taken away the bitters of your life; the scourge of Gabbatha has often scourged away your cares, and the groans of Calvary have put all other groans to flight. Thus Calvary yields us comfort rare and rich. We never should have known Christ's love in all its heights and depths if he had not died; nor could we guess the Father's deep affection if he had not given his Son to die. The common mercies we enjoy all sing of love, just as the sea-shell, when we put it to our ears, whispers of the deep sea whence it came; but if we desire to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at every-day blessings, but at the transactions of the crucifixion. He who would know love, let him retire to Calvary and see the Man of sorrows die. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.Ezekiel 16:14 "Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you," declares the Lord GOD. Luke 5:8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Job 42:6 Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes." Romans 7:21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. Matthew 9:2 And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven." Romans 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. Colossians 2:10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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