Bible League: Living His Word For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.— Philippians 2:21 ESV The Apostle Paul thought that it was necessary to send Epaphroditus to minister to the church in Philippi (Philippians 2:25). He hoped to send Timothy there as well (Philippians 2:19). Apparently, these two were the only ones he had with him at the time that he fully trusted to be "genuinely concerned" with the welfare of the Philippians (Philippians 2:20). He described the others he had with him in the rather harsh terms of our verse for today: "For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." Although this harsh assessment does not imply that they were not Christians, it does imply that they were not serving Jesus properly. Jesus, of course, made it clear what it takes to serve Him: "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also" (John 12:26). He also made it plain what following Him entails: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). In Paul's opinion, the other ones with him at the time were not fully prepared to deny themselves and follow Jesus. This story from the life of Paul should cause us to examine our own lives. How many of us are trustworthy? How many of us are ready to fully serve Jesus? Do we serve Him by following Him anywhere He leads and by denying ourselves in the process? Or, like the others in the passage, do we place our own interests above those of Jesus? Needless to say, it's all too easy to place our own interests first. Sometimes, we even make the foolish and self-serving assumption that our own interests are the same as His. Within the soul of every Christian there is a struggle between the sinful self and the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:17). The Spirit empowers us to follow Jesus and place His interests first, but the sinful self resists the Spirit and goes its own way. Our goal in life should be to become more and more like Epaphroditus and Timothy, ready to serve no matter the cost. We must deny our own interests and seek those of Jesus Christ. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJoshua 4, 5, 6 Joshua 4 -- Twelve Men Take Memorial Stones from the Jordan NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Joshua 5 -- Israelites Circumcised at Gilgal NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Joshua 6 -- The Walls of Jericho Fall NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 2:1-24 Luke 2 -- Jesus' Birth; Announcement by Angels; Presentation at the Temple; Return to Nazareth; The Boy Jesus Visits the Temple NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion How can a young person stay pure?By obeying your word. Insight We are drowning in a sea of impurity. Everywhere we look we find temptation to lead impure lives. The psalmist asked a question that troubles us all: How do we stay pure in a filthy environment? Challenge We cannot do this on our own, but must have counsel and strength more dynamic than the tempting influences around us. Where can we find that strength and wisdom? By reading God's Word and doing what it says. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon John 16:32 Ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone.Few had fellowship with the sorrows of Gethsemane. The majority of the disciples were not sufficiently advanced in grace to be admitted to behold the mysteries of "the agony." Occupied with the passover feast at their own houses, they represent the many who live upon the letter, but are mere babes as to the spirit of the gospel. To twelve, nay, to eleven only was the privilege given to enter Gethsemane and see "this great sight." Out of the eleven, eight were left at a distance; they had fellowship, but not of that intimate sort to which men greatly beloved are admitted. Only three highly favored ones could approach the veil of our Lord's mysterious sorrow: within that veil even these must not intrude; a stone's-cast distance must be left between. He must tread the wine-press alone, and of the people there must be none with him. Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, represent the few eminent, experienced saints, who may be written down as "Fathers;" these having done business on great waters, can in some degree measure the huge Atlantic waves of their Redeemer's passion. To some selected spirits it is given, for the good of others, and to strengthen them for future, special, and tremendous conflict, to enter the inner circle and hear the pleadings of the suffering High Priest; they have fellowship with him in his sufferings, and are made conformable unto his death. Yet even these cannot penetrate the secret places of the Saviour's woe. "Thine unknown sufferings" is the remarkable expression of the Greek liturgy: there was an inner chamber in our Master's grief, shut out from human knowledge and fellowship. There Jesus is "left alone." Here Jesus was more than ever an "Unspeakable gift!" Is not Watts right when he sings-- "And all the unknown joys he gives, Were bought with agonies unknown." Daily Light on the Daily Path Revelation 3:2 'Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Deuteronomy 4:9 "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. Hebrews 10:38,39 BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. • But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. Mark 13:37 "What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'" Isaiah 41:10,13 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' • "For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.' 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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