Tag: Philippians

Discerning Love

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And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Philippians 1:9–10 (ESV)

This morning I started reading through Warren Wiersbe’s book on Philippians called “Be Joyful.” Mainly because I want to concentrate and be intentional about seeing joy in my life, but also because the book of Philippians is my go-to book of the Bible. In this first section of Philippians 1, I was intrigued by the prayer of Paul for the Philippians believers. A prayer that their lives may be filled with abounding love. A love that grows and grows. But it’s not just a simple turn of phrase to love in a general or generic sense, Paul wants their abounding love to be filled with knowledge and discernment. He wants them to have a growing love that is not just some emotional feeling that changes and shifts according to the conditions and circumstances of life. He wants them to have a love that has roots in knowledge and discernment. Why does he add this part? So they may be able to approve what is excellent. That they may be able to discern righteousness. That they will engage their minds in their daily actions and choose what is good, right, and holy for the glory of Christ. For it is not their own love channeled through Christ that he is praying, but the love of Christ being channeled through them.

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To Gain Christ

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Journal Entry // September 30, 2022

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (ESV)

Philippians 3:8

Paul has learned and is passing on a valuable and important lesson to all of us in this particular verse. That lesson is simply having a proper holy perspective on life and the circumstances we each find ourselves. There is only one thing of importance. There is only one thing that truly matters. This one thing is the preeminent concern for each and every one of us. That concern is the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and being known by him. Christ alone is THE object of eternal value in this life. Everything else is to be counted as loss and even rubbish in comparison. The ultimate knowledge of Jesus Christ as my one and only Savior is the gain I should prize. The only true and lasting gain. The eternal reward of happiness and joy being found in Christ alone for all of eternity.

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Good Work

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Journal Entry // September 2, 2022

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (ESV)

Philippians 1:6

There are several deep spiritual truths in this single verse that would necessarily cause me to spend hours contemplating the work of Christ in my life. This morning I am thinking through the “good work” that Christ has begun in me. A work that will not be completed until the day Christ returns and makes all things new. This good that is being worked in me is not being carried out in my strength but in the power and direction of Christ. This work is for my good and his glory. Each and every detail of my journey through this life is essential and unique. I say this to mean that the good work that Christ is bringing to completion in me will necessarily take different twists and turns. The circumstances that I encounter are not going to be like the circumstances of my closest friend. The Lord has determined what is best to bring about this good work through Christ working in me. I can be sure of one thing through this process. I can be sure that it is not in vain. Life is not meaningless or pointless or worthless. Life is precious. Life is this good work of salvation working in and through me to make me more like Christ each and every day. This process will carry on until that day of Jesus Christ. Until that day where I am face to face with my Savior.

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