September 15, 2004, Vol.4,
No.18.
Two new articles every two weeks.
Bible Question? E-mail
us.
THIS ISSUE: "Rejoice
in the Lord (Part 3)" (see
below)
and "Part 4"
"Rejoice
in the Lord"
Devotional Study of Philippians
- part 3
The Single Mind
by Keith Sharp
Paul wrote to the Philippians amidst chains, critics and crisis.
Yet he had peace and joy and exhorted them to have these qualities
of heart as well.
How can anyone in his right mind have peace and joy when the
circumstances of life are so bad? By having the attitude Paul
had. "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
(Philippians 1:21) Joy and peace are the results, not of outward
circumstances, but of the proper attitude toward Christ. The
apostle uses the title "Christ" eighteen times in chapter
one (verses 1,2,6,8,10,11,13,15,16,18,19,20,21,23, 26,27,29)
and the term "gospel" six (verses 5,7,12,17,27). Christ
was his life. Preaching the gospel was his all consuming passion.
Thus, the worst thing that could happen to him in this life became
gain - a cause for peace and joy. Only by such unqualified devotion
to Christ and the gospel, making Him and His word the center,
circumference, direction and all of our lives, can we have peace
and joy regardless of life's circumstances. If life's circumstances
cause us to experience depression and anxiety, we need to examine
our hearts. How complete is our devotion to Christ?
Now put anything else in place of Christ in your life, and
you cannot view death, the worst fear of most people, as gain.
Try money. "For to me to live is money, and to die is to
leave it all behind." Try pleasure. "For to me to live
is pleasure, and to die is to suffer." What about fame?
"For to me to live is fame, and to die is to be forgotten."
Power? "For to me live is power, and to die is to lose it."
Only the one who can truthfully says, "For to me to live
is Christ," can rationally say, "and to die is gain."
Reflection in Lives
If we are completely dedicated to Christ as Paul was, it will
be reflected in our lives. In our lives "love" will
"abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment."
We will "approve the things that are excellent" and
"be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ."
We will be "filled with the fruits of righteousness."
(Philippians 1:3-11) Our manner of life will "be worthy
of the gospel of Christ." We will "stand fast in one
spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the
gospel." (Philippians 1:27-30) If our lives are devoid of
the fruits of righteousness and are unworthy of the gospel, we
are not really devoted to Christ.
Conclusion
The story is told of a sail ship making its way to America
being caught up in a terrible "Nor'easter" of hurricane
force. The ship was being relentlessly driven onto the deadly
rocks off Nova Scotia. Brave men wept and prayed openly. Some
plaintively sang hymns. But one little girl was perfectly calm
and cheerful in all the din. A frightened passenger, aghast at
her serenity, inquired, "Little girl, do you realize the
danger we face?" "Yes, sir." "Then how can
you remain calm?" "My daddy is the captain. He won't
let us be wrecked."
If we will put our trust in the Captain of our salvation,
He won't let our lives be ruined by life's storms, regardless
of how overwhelming they seem.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treach'rous shoal;
Chart and compass came from Thee,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me. (J.E. Gould)
Only if we can truthfully affirm, "For to me to live
is Christ," can we really believe, "and to die is gain."
Only thus can we have true, deep, soul calming peace and joy
regardless of life's circumstances.
Can you truthfully say, "To me to live is Christ?"
Can you view death as gain? Are you in Christ? Is Christ in you?
Is He your life?
~ ~ ~
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