Day 184 "To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain" (Philippians: Chapter One)

Some of my favorite passages can be found here in Philippians- especially in chapter two where Paul writes about considering others better than yourselves and looking out for the interests of other. In a world full of selfishness and people running around seeking to meet their own needs, Paul challenges us to focus our attention elsewhere. In Christ, our citizenship in God's kingdom has been both procured and secured. In light of this infor-

mation, Paul challenges us to live lives worthy of the gospel. For the next four days, we will navigate through the book of Philippians. I trust it will be a good journey to experience.

Chapter One:

:6 "being confident of this, that he who bean a good work in you will carry it on

to completion until the day of Jesus Christ."

So many Christians have come to Christ as a result of Hell. Their fear has driven them to accept Christ as their "get out of jail free" card, only in this case it is Hell not jail. The problem is two fold. First, Jesus died to reconcile back into personal, intimate relationship with God, not simply to get us out of Hell.

And secondly, those who simply come to Christ to get out of Hell remain stagnant in their relationship with God for their understanding is wrapped up in being free from Hell without the understanding that God wants to grow in intimacy in the relationships that he has with us. God wants us to mature in our relationship with him, which only comes about by spending time with him.

God will continue to do a work in our lives to the degree that we let him.

:9-10 "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,"

Love has incredible power and sufficiency to bring the best out of all of us.

It purifies our motives to focus our attention more on the needs and interests of others greater than those of our own. When we take the time to take the focus off of ourselves, we grow in our ability to see things differently. Love is the highest calling bestowed and mandated onto us. It is, as if to say, that a believer can go on auto pilot if one seeks to understand and implement love in one's life. For love fulfills the law. Whatever instruction or command that would be issued, love would fulfill its demands. But rather than pull by demand the actions of a believer, love inspires and leads the believer into the realm of the "want to's" versus the "have to's." Love sets us free to become what

God created each of us to be.

:15-16 "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of

goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense

of the gospel.

One of the ongoing conflicts within the believer that keeps one from growing

in their spiritual relationship with God is sinking back into a fleshly nature, one that places emphasis on meeting the needs of one's own interest ahead of the interests of others. The pursuit of love in all areas of our lives breaks the

chain of dependency upon others for our identity and self-esteem. It is God's perfect, unconditional love that sets us free from others to find total and com-

plete acceptance from God.

"Perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18

:20-21 "I eagerly expect and hope that I will not way be ashamed, but will have suffi-

cient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

:27 "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel

of Christ."

In Paul relationship with God, he has come to the understanding of the spiritual world side-by-side with the physical world in which he lives. What is truly important in this lifetime of ours? Is it not the realization that there is really a God and that God loves us and wants a relationship with us. Christ died for us to make that all possible for us. With such a sacrifice made, what will you do with your life?

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is

in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Our time on Earth is short, like a vapor in the wind. Therefore, it benefits one in taking the time to contemplate and decide what is really important about life to us? If there is no God, then the adage become "eat, drink and be merry, for this is all that you have." However, if God exists, and we know of him through Jesus Christ, that there is a greater purpose for our lives. Paul knew that. For him to die is to gain Christ but to live is to carry on God's work through us. As we shall see later on in Philippians, Paul presses on to take hold of all that which Christ took hold of him.

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Being mindful of God changes our perspective and the way we live out our lives.

In his love, see you tomorrow with chapter two of Philippians..

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)