Participating in a loving church can add years to your life, but then what makes a church loving and how is that loving distinctive maintained? Paul lays out a proven procedure that comes forward through the centuries and works beautifully in our day and time.
It’s stunning that the greedy person is on the same list as the homosexual; that the gossiper is on the same list as the hater of God; that the habitual drunk is on the same list as the murderer. This entire list is like the McDonald’s menu. Mix and match any items you want – and it all ends up costing the same price. So, here’s the question: If everyone is on the list; if everyone can be found somewhere on this list, and the result is the same, then what different does it make – aren’t we all doomed? Find out in part 2 of finding joy in the struggle.
Paul wanted to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Is such an attainment possible in this life? The first answer is: Never! The second answer is: Absolutely! In fact, you just may discover a whole new lease on a life filled with joy. Get moving now.
In the 1991 movie, City Slickers, Curly, played by Jack Palance, said: There is only one thing in life that really matters. Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else means nothing. Mitch, played by Billy Crystal, asked: What is that one thing? We waited with bated breath and eager anticipation for the answer. Who doesn’t want to know the one thing in life that really matters? Curly answered: That’s what you’ve got to figure out. Paul figured it out! Paul discovered the one thing in life that really mattered – and you can too!
From the beginning of our lives, we are indoctrinated with the philosophy that achievement is the key to reward, honor and happiness. This is true academically, athletically and behaviorally. This is also true in the business world, the entertainment industry as well as the halls of government. If this is true in the physical/material world, then it makes sense that it would be true in the spiritual/immaterial world. That’s what the believers at Philippi thought. What do you think?
Christianity is far and away superior to all other supposed religions, and I make no apology for saying so. Why? All other religions put confidence in the flesh. Paul used that phrase in Philippians 3:3 to distinguish Christianity from other beliefs, except he added one little word, the word “no.” Why is Christianity superior to all other religions? Here it is: We . . . put no confidence in the flesh. This is not only a powerful truth for apologetics; it is also a powerful truth that will set you free from the anxiety of both getting right with God and staying right with God. Find rest and refreshment right now.
God will actually give you the desire or the inclination to put into action the things that please Him. In addition, God will actually give you the power to carry out or put into action the things that please Him. That is, God not only gives the inclination, He also gives the ability. Whatever God asks a person to do, He will also give the wherewithal to get it done. It doesn’t matter that it seems impossible or unreasonable, God supplies what He requires, and He does so without fail.
Giving up one’s rights is essential to unity within a congregation, peaceful relationships at home, and freedom from contention and squabbling and pettiness. Most every argument, quarrel and/or dispute that takes place in and around our lives is due to someone claiming a right. Jesus gave us the solution when He set aside His rights. If you miss this, then prepare yourself for a lifetime of wrangling and wrestling with others. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Life can actually become a joy.
Christianity will almost always be at variance with the culture that surrounds it.
However, the dangers posed by our differences with society may not be nearly as
threatening to the life of the church as the dangers posed by the differences that can
and do arise between members of the church. Actually, Paul taught the believers at
Philippi how to find release from the squabbles and clashes that weighted them down
as a congregation. Your church can find relief as well.
The at large citizens of Philippi, along with the chamber of commerce and authorities from City Hall, went out of their way to treat Christians harshly. So, Paul addressed this conflict forced upon the Philippian believers by the society in which they lived. He wrote, not because he wanted his readers to pity themselves, but because he wanted to help them find joy in a culture that held venomous hostility toward Christ and His followers. How did he make that happen? However he made it happen, it can happen for you as well.