Tag Archives: the book of Philippians

October 1
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“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  (Philippians 1:27, NIV)

Paul was in prison when he wrote these words to the Christians in Philippi (modern-day Greece), so he knew a thing or two about the challenges of living-up to standards when times are tough.

His message to the Philippians was simple: Live up to God’s holy standard without regard to circumstances.

Is our discipleship conditional?  Will we be obedient to the will of God in times when it is inconvenient to do so?  Will our love for others sour when we’re not treated in kind?

When external circumstances have little or no bearing on our resolve to conduct ourselves “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” we will experience — as Paul experienced — the joy of seeing God make possible the impossible.   – Luther

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May 21
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“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. . .”  (Philippians 1:27a, NIV)

To be a disciple of Jesus means surrendering the privilege of self-justification.

Paul reminds us that external circumstances must not dictate our response.  In all that we do, our sole ambition is to please our heavenly Father.  We engage in self-justification at the risk of causing the gospel of Jesus to lose its opportunity to engage those who need it.

Today, resolve to conduct all of your affairs in a manner worthy of the good news of our Lord.  We can do no more; we should expect from ourselves no less.  – Luther

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October 8
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“Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”  (Philippians 3:16, NIV)

We are accountable to God only for what we know, not for what we don’t know.

If we thought only for 60 seconds of all that we’ve been “taught,” whether formally or through life experience; first-hand or through the experience of others; we should be amazed how much we already know.

All of us — to some degree — have attained knowledge of what is right, good, true, and edifying.  We have attained knowledge of how good it feels to be treated with love and grace; and every day we have opportunities to live-up to that knowledge — and the knowledge we’ve acquired beyond such basics.

Are you living up to the knowledge you’ve attained?  – Luther

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