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 Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God.Tempest and long darkness, coupled with imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought the crew of the vessel into a sad case; one man alone among them remained perfectly calm, and by his word the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man who had heart enough to say, "Sirs, be of good cheer." There were veteran Roman legionaries on board, and brave old mariners, and yet their poor Jewish prisoner had more spirit than they all. He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up. The Lord Jesus despatched a heavenly messenger to whisper words of consolation in the ear of his faithful servant; therefore he wore a shining countenance, and spake like a man at ease. If we fear the Lord, we may look for timely interpositions when our case is at its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms, or hindered by darkness. Seraphs think it no humiliation to visit the poorest of the heavenly family. If angel's visits are few and far between at ordinary times, they shall be frequent in our nights of tempest and tossing. Friends may drop from us when we are under pressure, but our intercourse with the inhabitants of the angelic world shall be more abundant; and in the strength of love-words, brought to us from the throne by the way of Jacob's ladder, we shall be strong to do exploits. Dear reader, is this an hour of distress with you? then ask for peculiar help. Jesus is the angel of the covenant, and if his presence be now earnestly sought, it will not be denied. What that presence brings in heart-cheer those remember who, like Paul, have had the angel of God standing by them in a night of storm, when anchors would no longer hold, and rocks were nigh. "O angel of my God, be near, Amid the darkness hush my fear; Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea, Thy presence, Lord, shall comfort me." Daily Light on the Daily Path 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.Matthew 10:35,36 "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; • and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. James 4:4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 1 John 2:15,16 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. • For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. John 15:18-20 "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. • "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. • "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 17:14 "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 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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