Godliness: humility and endurance

As I prepare for Sunday, I read Philippians 2. Wow. "have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus." OK. I think "godliness" is aptly described by the phrase, "have this mind" of Christ. I find God, through Christ, acting in humility by 1) letting go of his rights, emptying himself, 2) serving those who should serve him, 3) and dying for those who should die.

So, this is humility: allowing others to have more rights than yourself, being last instead of first, and laying your life down. Sounds like Jesus' teachings from the beginning to the end of his ministry. And He lived it as well.

I am also amazed at God's endurance. James 1 says that endurance works through faith for maturity. However, it is God's endurance for us that saves and completes the work in us. If he did not wait on us, both as servant and Lord, then we would already be dead in our sins. See 2 Peter 3:15. His patience is our salvation!

In the end, his faithfulness to us is predicated on his patient endurance. He keeps his promises in truth and loyalty to his plan. He cannot contradict himself, nor does he trust another. He alone is God and sovereign. And he is worthy of our honesty and integrity.

In the end HE DOES NOT ASK US TO DO ANYTHING HE WOULD NOT DO HIMSELF!!!!

1 Corinthians 3

Once again another lesson in humility.

Who is Paul? Oh, just the guy who spearheaded the Christian missionary movement from Palestine and Syria into Rome and beyond. He planted churches in Asia Minor, Greece, and Italy, and possibly even Spain. Who is Paul? Well, he's no one apart from Christ.

Who am I? Without Christ, I am nothing. Without Christ I have no foundation to build a life upon. With him--I am a part of the body of Christ, with potential to be an expert servant, and the calling to work the fields until he brings the harvest. But I am nothing on my own.

Ah yes, but pride that comes from a relationship with Christ is good. It is a pride based on the character of the perfect one, and a pride that is built on his glory and not my own. I take pride in a God who can die. I take pride in suffering for the Gospel. I take pride in building for another. I take pride in building things that will last forever, but cannot truly be understood in this life. I take pride in his flesh and blood broken for me, not my own strength and power. I take pride in being a part of the family of God, not in my status in that family.

And the reward for such upside down thinking? All is yours, Paul says. Because it belongs to Christ, and Christ gives the blessings freely. And Christ belongs to God. If I have the mind of Christ, and if I build on his foundation, then I too am God's--adopted, heir, and loved by the one who made all things.

So take pride in Christ, because he has made you a child of God through his sacrifice. Bury your pride in anything that does not give glory to God. It is futile, fruitless, and false.

Thank you, Jesus, for lifting me up today. Take my pride, my designs. Crush them. Please raise me up in your love, that I might take pride and delight in the work of my Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Amen.

1 Cor. 1:18-2:5

Jews demand a sign, but who are we to demand anything of God?

Gentiles seek wisdom, but how are we able to understand the mind of God?

We preach Christ crucified—if we preach anything else, we are foolish, selfish, and powerless.

I don’t find much comfort in verses 26-28 in terms of my abilities. Sounds like God chose a bunch of losers to serve him. I guess that means we all fit in pretty well. However, the key to living in the body of Christ is recognizing your place—a sinner and a loser saved by grace.

So that none can boast. God really does want all the glory and credit. How much glory do I give him every day? How much credit do I steal from him every day?

Jesus is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. How do these fit together? Righteousness means we are ‘right’ before the law and free of judgment; holiness means we are set apart for God’s task, ‘right’ in relationship with God. Redemption means we were made right through a price—the sacrifice of Jesus. Unless our guilt is paid for, we have no hope of being made right.

Thank you, Jesus, and all praise to God, for your redeeming work on the cross. I am not worthy of your gift, but you have healed me and saved me. My boast should always be in you, O God. My pride should always be in you and Christ. I know nothing without you. I can do nothing of eternal value without you. All praise and glory to you, My God and my Savior. Thank you Spirit for revealing these truths. Amen.

1 Cor. 1:1-9

Ok. That was easy for me to get online and see the passage. A couple of thoughts:

I appreciate Paul’s thankfulness for his church, and I want to express my gratitude to God for SHBC and the calling he has given me to be here.

I think it is really cool to see that God has equipped us with every gift that we need to function as a Christian. That also means that there are no excuses.

God is faithful, and he will endure forever. If we are his, then we will endure as well—what a great promise!