B2L Archive

The week of May 10-16, 2024.

As we continue our journey of extracting brief insights from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I remind you of the letter’s overall theme: the gospel’s impact on our personal lives as expressed in a corporate setting. That is, the truths we see in this brief letter should impact us first as we live them out among our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, namely, the members of the local-global church we belong to. Paul says in 1:27,

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”

Our specific focus this week is on 4:2-3 where Paul speaks to the gospel’s influence on Christian community. Please take a quick moment to read these verses anew. From it comes the following insights:

While these verses affirm the importance of women in gospel ministry, the larger issue is agreement in the Lord for the sake of the gospel. Paul does not mention what Euodia and Syntyche disagreed upon. Rather he stresses the necessity of seeking agreement because Christians belong to Jesus. Disagreements and differences are commonplace, but how God’s people handle them reflects the gospel’s influence on our community within and our witness to others.
Paul interjects a request to an individual in verse 3 to help mediate agreement between these two women. Noting how the apostle mentions multiple ministry companions in this verse, he knows the value of Christian community in showing how the gospel settles issues among us. For in the gospel wrongs are clearly seen, confessed, and forgiven all for the glory of God. And in conflict resolution, a third party not as close to the situation as the combatants can infuse gospel-driven solutions to issues.
Agreement “in the Lord” is essential for effective gospel ministry. We, and all Christians, must agree that only Jesus is the solution to man’s sin problem. For God’s ministry is NOT Jesus plus anything else; it is in Christ alone where our hope and our labor in the Lord is grounded. No wonder the devil and the world seek to highlight disagreements among Christians about our mission in the world. Divide and conquer is an old battle strategy which has had historical success. But we are on the winning side of the war! For Jesus has conquered both sin and the grave!
A final note about Christian community is the certainty the gospel gives us in ministry. Paul notes his companions are those “whose names are in the book of life.” We serve because we belong to Christ, not to become Christ’s. We serve alongside other Christians, pointing to Jesus as the way to true life, and do not kick one another when we experience life difficulties and when we sin. We seek reconciliation and restoration through the gospel.

Prayer: Father, help me interact with others in the Christian community You’ve called me to with a gospel-driven perspective.

Thanks for reading this brief blog. I encourage you to read ahead to prepare for our time in Philippians next week—Philippians 4:4-23.

The week of May 3-9, 2024.

Our specific focus this week is on 3:17-4:1 where Paul shows the contrast between those who really follow Jesus and those who fake it. Please take a quick moment to read these verses anew. From it comes the following insights:

Paul commands his readers to join or become imitators of him—make Jesus and the gospel the center of their lives. He commands them to be people who are identified by their connection and allegiance to Jesus and the gospel. Moreover, he commands us to observe and think deeply with the intent to model the lifestyle of others who claim the same identity in Christ.
A motivating factor to living such a lifestyle is those who blatantly live contrary to this identity mark. For there are some who claim to be Christians yet rely on human effort and ingenuity to make themselves acceptable to God; they’re “enemies of the cross of Christ.” These people have no true eternal hope, they live for their own satisfaction apart from God, they boldly proclaim their godless lifestyle is right, and define life according to the transitory things of this world. This saddened Paul and it should sadden us as well.
Contrary to belonging to the world, Paul declares being identified by Jesus and the gospel gives us hope in this world now and in the future because Jesus will complete our salvation and make us look like Him. One day He will make us fit to dwell in His presence for all eternity. He is able to do this because He is God! The surety of this promise should strengthen us to rely on nothing else but Jesus and the gospel.

Prayer: Father, thank You for making me Yours through the gospel. Help me live with Jesus and the gospel as the center of my life.

Thanks for reading this brief blog. I encourage you to read ahead to prepare for our time in Philippians next week—Philippians 4:2-3.

The week of April 26-May 2, 2024.

Our specific focus this week is on 3:12-16 where Paul explains his life pursuit, true spiritual maturity, and faithfulness to Jesus. Please take a quick moment to read these verses anew. From it comes the following insights:

We will remember from last week’s insights—Jesus was Paul’s chief Pursuit. Living eternal life now, living like Jesus through a personal relationship with Him in everyday life, was the experience Paul sought. But the apostle recognizes he still had room to grow in this experience. Thus, he pursued it because that was Christ’s purpose in making Paul “His own” through the gospel. This is “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Also, Paul refused to let his past prevent him from pursuing his experience of Jesus in the moment. He maintained an “already, not yet” perspective. Yes, he pursued Christ in the moment while recognizing the full experience of Him without the presence of sin was still to come. This truth kept the apostle motivated in the moment.
Moreover, Paul stated this mindset and practice demonstrated maturity. He also gave room for others still growing in this area, trusting God will help them reach maturity. Still, he encouraged his readers to be faithful to Jesus wherever they were in their walk with Him.

Prayer: Father, help go hard after Jesus while resting in the fact He has already made me His. Please help me remain faithful to Him.

Thanks for reading this brief blog. I encourage you to read ahead to prepare for our time in Philippians next week—Philippians 3:17-4:1.

The week of April 19-25, 2024.

Our specific focus this week is on 3:2-11 where Paul contrasts true believers against those who seek God’s acceptance through human effort. Please take a quick moment to read these verses anew. From it comes the following insights:

Paul has a serious problem with “those who mutilate the flesh.” In fact, he calls them “dogs” and “evildoers.” He warns his readers to continuously be on the lookout for these people. I believe this admonition fits our day as well. You see, Paul’s displeasure is with those who tried to force the Philippians to pursue acceptance from God through works, specifically, the work of circumcision. And he contrasts true believers as those “who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” In short, those who by grace believe the gospel, trusting in Jesus alone for salvation apart from any human works or merit.
Because he’s contrasting true believers in Christ against those depending on works, Paul destroys the argument for works using his own life—a life admired from a human perspective as worthy of emulation. He considers a life based on works or human ingenuity “as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” He counts everything as “rubbish,” or “dung,” worthless, and ineffective in making him acceptable or righteous enough to be with God.
Only the righteousness given by God through faith in Christ alone was Paul’s desire. Therefore, Jesus was Paul’s chief Pursuit. “…that I may gain Christ and be found in Him…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” Paul showed the corporate church the gospel’s impact on his personal life.
This impact also addressed Paul’s daily life. This is what he meant in verse 11 about attaining “the resurrection from the dead.” The Christian life is not something we’re waiting for to experience; eternal life is now. Granted, not in God’s fullest design without the presence of sin. However, because Christ rose from the dead Christians live like Jesus on earth now by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Father, help me willingly and fully give up all efforts trying to make You accept me, and to rest in Christ’s finished work to make me Yours.

Thanks for reading this brief blog. I encourage you to read ahead to prepare for our time in Philippians next week—Philippians 3:12-16.

The week of April 12-18, 2024.

As we focus this week on 3:1, Paul both summarizes his perspective on his current situation and uses it to command believers to find joy in Jesus. Please take a quick moment to read this verse afresh. From it comes the following insights:

When we read the word “Finally,” it is easy to assume Paul is about to wrap up, to conclude all that he has been saying. However, such is not the case here. For ancient writers often used this word to introduce or draw attention to important matters. And the important matter Paul’s presenting is Christians are commanded to “rejoice in the Lord.” That is, we are to continually remember who God is and all He has done to make us His through Jesus, to regularly keep Jesus and the gospel on our minds, for doing so brings joy to our hearts. How different would our life circumstances be if this were our regular practice?
This is what the apostle refers to by “the same things” in the next sentence. Paul is not telling his audience something new and fresh; our faith is ancient and steadfast. Jesus and the gospel were enough for Paul because the gospel is Jesus. Think about it. The apostle was about to argue for his life because he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel. And he boldly faced that prospect while fulfilling his calling, for writing “the same things” was “no trouble to” him.
Now, look at what else Paul says about his perspective: it is “safe for” the Philippians and all Christians. The “same things,” namely, Jesus and the gospel, are the foundation of our security in the Lord. Giving our lives over to Jesus for the sake of the gospel is worth it because our citizenship is in heaven (the apostle actually says this later in the chapter). Therefore, we “rejoice in the Lord.”

Prayer: Father, make Jesus enough for me and grant me joy as I reflect on You and all You’ve done through Christ for me.

Thanks for reading this brief blog. I encourage you to read ahead to prepare for our time in Philippians next week—Philippians 3:2-11.

The week of April 5-11, 2024.

As we focus this week on 2:25-30, Paul continues highlighting the gospel’s influence in personal trials and service toward others. Please take a quick moment to read these verses afresh. From them come the following insights:

Paul reminds us again of the incredible encouragement that comes from other believers, especially when serving in gospel ministry together. And he adds how significant such encouragement is during times of illness, particularly serious illnesses. Also, by sharing how the near-death illness of his friend hurt him, the apostle demonstrates that regardless of our closeness with God, we are not exempt from illness and suffering.
When reading these verses, it is possible to come away thinking that a deep commitment to the gospel guarantees the near loss of life. In fact, Paul seems to indicate that such suffering is a badge of honor for the Lord. Well, in a way, these things are true. For a deep commitment to the gospel does cost us the privilege of defining the shape and trajectory of our lives (cf. Mark 8:35). And the rarity of such men and women in this world should cause us to treasure them as they point us to Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith.
Part of the work of Christ is caring for the needs of others, especially of those belonging to the household of faith, namely, other Christians. This certainly fits with Paul’s previous commands in 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.” And in these verses, the apostle narrows the focus to the corporate care of individuals who have committed their lives to the gospel. Here we certainly see that caring for God’s missionaries is something we should all be involved in.

Prayer: Father, grant me joy in the gospel and in serving others for the sake of Christ.

Thanks for reading this brief blog. I encourage you to read ahead to prepare for our time in Philippians next week—Philippians 3:1.

The week of March 29 – April 4, 2024.

This week, our specific focus is on 2:19-24, wherein we see the gospel’s influence in personal trials and service toward others. Take a quick moment to read the passage afresh. From these verses come the following insights:

When we think of Paul being in prison while he penned this letter, we can find encouragement seeing him still hoping in Jesus to care for him while he endures hard times. While deliverance was not guaranteed, Paul’s hope and trust in Jesus stayed firm. The same can be true for us. Should God choose to carry us through our difficult time(s) and not to end them, may our hope and trust in Jesus stay firm.
We also see the encouragement we experience from the presence of other Christians. But notice it is Timothy’s commitment to the gospel that encouraged Paul. So, just being around other believers is not enough. For the difference maker is our mutual faithfulness to the gospel, and therein is our hope strengthened.
Moreover, it is this commitment that makes us genuinely concerned about the welfare of others, especially other believers in Jesus. For if we care deeply about their eternal condition, then it follows we will be concerned about their total well-being here and now.

Prayer: Father, help me hope in Jesus alone during hard times, receive encouragement from other believers, and be faithful serving others with the gospel.

Thanks for reading this brief blog. I encourage you to read ahead to prepare for our time in Philippians next week—Philippians 2:25-30.

The week of March 22-28, 2024.

This week, our specific focus is on 2:12-18, wherein we see how the gospel’s influence in our personal and corporate lives impact on the world around us. Take a quick moment to read the passage afresh. From these verses come the following insights:

Christians obey Scripture. This is a description of our lifestyle before God, before others, and in private. Moreover, we should be known for living in this manner.
Christians are to corporately live out the gospel together in reverence for God, recognizing that what God has accomplished in making us His individually is intended by Him to be experienced with other believers. We regularly affirm God is God, has full authority over all things, including us, and that we are accountable to Him. We recognize that we are sinners, but God by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, saved us. We affirm that we don’t work to get salvation, but we work at daily living the life of Christ among His Body.
We engage in the preceding activities knowing and depending upon God working in us, giving us both the ability to choose and the ability to act in obedience to Him. This gives Him the greatest pleasure; He wants to live in and through us.
When we as Christians faithfully base our everyday lives on the gospel of Jesus Christ such a lifestyle stands out in this world because we are not known to be disagreeable people. While we may and do disagree with various things and people, we are more concerned with what God thinks about our actions rather than the world in which we live. Therefore, we go through life not being complainers about the issues of life that confront us every day. Rather we look for opportunities to demonstrate and share the gospel.
Just like Paul and the Philippians, we should be willing, glad, and joyful to give our lives for the gospel. And while we may not be literally called to die for our faith, our lives are unmistakably shaped by it. Things like selflessness on behalf of others, intentionally seeking the greatest welfare of others, sitting at the feet of Jesus to hear from Him in the Scriptures, and the regular practice of viewing ourselves and others in the light of the gospel should take front and center in our daily lives.

Prayer: Father, help me trust my will and actions to you, and to have You use me to glorify Yourself in this world with the gospel of Life.

Thanks for reading this brief blog. I encourage you to read ahead to prepare for our time in Philippians next week—Philippians 2:19-24.

The week of March 15-21, 2024.

This week, our specific focus is on 2:1-11, wherein we see the gospel’s impact in our interaction with others. Take a quick moment to read the passage afresh. From these verses come the following insights:

Jesus Christ is the Source of true encouragement, loving comfort, a Holy Spirit-filled life, genuine concern for others, and real unity among people who have Christ as their Center.
Christ-centered unity drives legitimate care for others while caring for ourselves because it emulates Jesus’ humility.
We see Jesus’ humility in Him being fully God yet becoming fully human in the same Person in order to die for our sin.
Jesus’ humility is the greatest method God uses to make Himself known (cf. Heb 1:1-4). For through it God has glorified Himself by giving Jesus the highest imaginable God-glorifying honor—designating Jesus as the only way to God, the only way to be saved from sin, the One to Whom all humanity is accountable to. Jesus is preeminent!

Prayer: Father, make me an example of Jesus’ humility in the lives of others as shown in the gospel. Glorify Yourself through me.

The week of March 8-14, 2024.

This week, our specific focus is on 1:18b-30, wherein we find our central verse which shows the gospel touches every aspect of our lives in observable ways. Take a quick moment to read the passage afresh. From these verses come the following insights:

Our prayers encourage and help people remember the Holy Spirit empowers us to live Christ-centered lives.
A Christ-centered, gospel-oriented disposition gives us clarity and purpose concerning our current and eternal existence: life is all about Jesus. We live for Him and with Him and point others to Him.
When Jesus is the center of our lives, He changes our perspective of the difficult circumstances we all face. We see their two-fold purpose: God uses them to shape us for an eternal existence with Him; and God uses them to encourage others through us.
We need other Christians to help us stand firmly committed to the gospel. And as we stand together for Jesus and the gospel, we demonstrate at least three things to all people: 1) we believe the gospel is the only way to life, 2) we are willing to give our very lives for the gospel, and 3) we have been completely saved by God through the gospel.

Prayer: Father, help my life match my professed faith in Jesus in both action and deeds alone and alongside other believers.

The week of March 1-7, 2024.

We continue our journey of extracting brief insights from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This letter’s overall theme is the gospel’s impact on our personal lives as expressed in a corporate setting. Paul says in 1:27,

This week, our specific focus is on 1:12-18a, wherein our theme is seen in Paul’s life as he speaks about the effect of his imprisonment for the gospel. Take a quick moment to read the passage afresh. From these verses come the following insights:

When Jesus and the gospel define our lives then we view both dire and delightful circumstances as coming from the hand of God.
Our Christ-centered, gospel-oriented disposition of life encourages other believers to proclaim the gospel without fear in their circles of influence.
Some people will try to use our Christ-centered, gospel-oriented disposition of life against us. Still, others will partner with us out of love for Jesus and us in proclaiming the gospel. When we hold to our disposition, God allows us to see His perspective in both experiences. We should find great joy in this reality.

Prayer: Father, show me Jesus and the gospel in my present circumstances and grant me joy.

The week of February 23-29, 2024.

This week, our specific focus is on 1:3-11, which shows us what commitment to the gospel produces within us. Take a quick moment to read the passage afresh. From these verses come the following insights:

Commitment to the gospel produces thankfulness toward God and joy because of the fellowship with other believers.
Commitment to the gospel produces confidence in God making us complete in Jesus Christ regardless of how He chooses to do it.
Commitment to the gospel produces deep affection for other believers.
Commitment to the gospel produces prayers for other believers to grow in their faith and for them to completely depend on and be fully committed to Jesus.
Commitment to the gospel produces confidence that because of Jesus we stand pure and blameless before God rather than in fear of judgment.
Commitment to the gospel makes us want to make God known and it makes us want to praise Him!

Prayer: Father, help me understand and commit my life to Jesus and the gospel.

The week of February 16-22, 2024.

As we begin our journey of extracting brief insights from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I encourage you to either read or listen to the entire letter at one sitting. It’s short, so it shouldn’t take much longer than 25 minutes. As we travel through this letter, I’ll remind us to keep doing this as it helps keep the letter’s overall theme before us.

You see, a great benefit of a singular read yields a clear picture of the letter’s overall theme: the gospel’s impact on our personal lives as expressed in a corporate setting. Paul even says as much in 1:27,

This week our specific focus is on 1:1-2. Take a quick moment to read the passage afresh. From these verses come the following insights:

As Paul and Timothy were “servants of Christ Jesus,” we should also willfully give our entire lives to please God’s Anointed One to save His people. Our lives should be consumed with Jesus and the gospel.
Overseers (pastors, elders) and deacons are equal with all saints; there is no hierarchy or separation between the clergy and the laity, between church leadership and the congregation. In writing “to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons,” Paul made clear this truth of equal status in Christ Jesus for all Christians.
A further implication by mentioning “overseers” and “deacons,” Paul shows the gospel is to be the driving influence of all spoken (overseers) and service (deacons) ministries in a local-global church.
In verse 2, Paul reminds his readers we all continually need grace and peace “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” He reminds us God has given us all we need in Christ, and He will always enable us to live as He calls us to (cf. Heb. 4:14-16). He also reminds us God has made us to be and He always keeps us at peace with Himself because of Jesus (cf. Rom. 5:1; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).
Also, with the dual yet separate mention of “God our Father” and “the Lord Jesus Christ” Paul shows us the Father loves us and following Jesus is what’s best for us.

Prayer: Father, help me to give You all of me. Grant me the grace and peace I need to believe You love me and the faith to follow Jesus.