Weekly Devotional 7-24-17 An Encouragement to be in Harmony
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encouraged His readers to be in harmony with one another, saying, “1Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”(Philippians 2:1-15 NKJV).
Paul himself wanted to be encouraged by the state of His Philippian readers. He was about to send Timothy to them. The purpose of this dispatch was to find out how the Philippians were fairing in their spiritual walk, and that Timothy could pass on Paul’s encouragement to be harmonious in that walk. Until Paul was be able to send Timothy, he sent Epaphroditus to them (See verses 17-25).
Not sure if there is immediacy here, for them or for Paul, but in all Scripture God intends for each generation of believers to benefit from what was written to a certain congregation in the first century. What was meant primarily for them, God also intends for each generation of believers. We, therefore, must take to heart Paul’s encouragement toward harmony within the church. Our example is Jesus Christ Himself; before whom every knee will someday bow. Even though He will be the judge of all men, yet He humbled Himself to the will of God the Father. Such humility. May we encourage one another toward that kind of humility.
Steve
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
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