Day 274: Philippians 2:19-30, 3:1-3

“Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.'”- Philippians 2:27 ESV

One time as I was going through a music rehearsal at church, I noticed that one of our musicians seemed troubled. This sweet lady had just recently overcome a cancer diagnosis and was healthy (and is to this day). We had prayed for her and wept with her through it. Yet she was still in tears. I had to inquire as to why. She mentioned that she didn't know why she'd been spared, and so many others hadn't. I assured her that none of us knew the answer to that question, but I did know that God apparently had more for her to do here. More songs to play. More people to reach with Christ's love. I can still see her smile through her tears.

Epaphroditus was spared, and Paul chalked it up to God having mercy (also translated as compassion) on him.

C.H. Spurgeon, writing on this verse, said it beautifully, "Lazarus of Bethany, Dorcas, Epaphroditus, and Trophimus are a few of that great host of sick folk whom the Lord loves in their sicknesses, for whom the promise was written that the Lord “sustains him on his sick bed. In his illness, you restore to health” (Psa 41:3)."

Even still, the compassion of God is expressed in so many ways. "Why?!" is the question that we may never get an answer for, but "What?!" is the one God will answer each time. Jesus can turn any circumstance, no matter how hard, into something that can make an eternal difference. We know this because we've seen many who weren't as fortunate as Epaphroditus; Paul being one of them himself (see 2 Corinthians 12:9-12).

Even so, we must always remember that if we are spared, it is an opportunity for us to reflect God's glory. For we know that He is the great Redeemer of time.

Day 273: Philippians 1:27-30, 2:1-18

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” - ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The word used for attitude here is φρονέω phroneō. Jesus uses the same word in Matthew 16:23 when he calls Peter “Satan,” and says that he doesn’t have his mind (phroneo) set on the things of God, but the things of man.

So what does it practically look like to think like Jesus thought when He was on this earth, in the flesh? Verses 6-18 lay it out for us.

It has to do with a whole lot of selflessness. It isn’t a downgrading of our value. Instead, it is using all of our worth to pour ourselves out for the sake of others. It is an ego removal surgery of sorts.

When we think like Jesus thought, and thus live as Jesus lived, we will stand out like stars in the darkness.

There will never be a shortage of crooked and perverse (selfish) people. So when we put this all into practice, everything we do will be a strong witness of the gospel.

Yes, it will be a lot of work, but God will give us the desire and power to see it through (verses 12-13), and this ability comes directly from the shed blood of Jesus on the cross.

John Calvin, commenting on this verse, masterfully wrote, "There are, however, two departments, in the first of which he invites us to imitate Christ, because this is the rule of life: in the second, he allures us to it, because this is the road by which we attain true glory."

Day 272: Philippians 1:1-26

“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.” - Philippians 1:6 ESV

An inability to finish has to be one of our most significant flaws as humans. We start a book, only to never make it past the second chapter. We get into a home project, only to run out of steam when it requires getting on a ladder. We resolve to read our Bibles and pray daily, then a week goes by, and we realize we haven't read a single word or prayed a single prayer.

God isn't just a starter; he's also a finisher. Yet the way he finishes is a little different from the way we usually think of checking something off of our list. He sees what he is doing in us as a process. The Bible calls this sanctification (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).

C.H. Spurgeon, writing about this verse, put it this way: "Granted an immutable God, we may be sure that grace will complete what grace begins."

God is committed to our growth, and He will never grow tired of that work.

It is also worth noting, as we close, that Paul isn't checking out as God carries this out on to completion. As God continues to do the work, Paul is fervently on his knees for these Christians in Philippi. What a great reminder for us that God wants to include us in the work He is doing in the lives of others.

Day 271: Ephesians 6:1-24

“And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.” - Ephesians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Slavery in the Bible is something that is difficult to stomach, especially as we read the New Testament. Why didn’t Paul say, “Alright! Enough! Slavery is done among Christians. Let them be free!”?

Here in Ephesians 6 we see what Paul (via the Holy Spirit) was doing in the area of slavery (and for all who were marginalized). Groundwork was being laid for every culture to recognize the intrinsic truth that all have been created equal in God’s sight. For the first time in human history, we see here equality proclaimed between societal unequals.

God doesn’t favor anyone more than another. All are fit to put on the illustrious armor of God.

This was a revolutionary thought in the first century, and it is still splitting heads today. The rich. The poor. Male. Female. The famous. The forgotten. All of us matter to God. There is no ranking system in play within Christianity.

Abolition of slaves was initiated by verses like these.

God doesn’t play favorites.

Darrell Bock in his Ephesians commentary focuses us even more as we close:

“No matter what the social status of people may be, the response that honours God respects other people as those made in God’s image. There is a hint of the mutual submission of 5:21 here because the point is that all submit to the Lord.”

Day 270: Ephesians 5:1-20

“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving...giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Ephesians‬ ‭5:4, 20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We love being around thankful people, and it is no secret that they are rare in our world today. What is more likely is for us to meet someone who is trying to convince us they've accomplished so much via their solo act. It is then no shock to us that, from Paul’s perspective, the best way to combat the darkness in our lives and our churches is thankfulness from our mouths.

In between the verses above, we also see the exciting quotation in verse 14: “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

F.F. Bruce has an interesting note on this verse: “The wording may well be that of a primitive Christian baptismal hymn (cf. the early description of baptism as φωτισμός, enlightenment); the very rhythm of the three stichoi is of a type associated in the Greek memory with religious initiation.”

Again, we see that thankfulness, praise, and hymns were foundational to consistently stepping into the light.

Picture a baptism service where the baptizer says as they lower the person down into the water: "Awake, O sleeper!" Then as they bring them up: "rise up from the dead." And then as they declare afterward: "Christ will shine on you."

Chills, right?

This kind of experience is where thankfulness and songs pour forth with fluidity.

Get close to Jesus. Watch the thankfulness follow.

Day 269: Ephesians 4:17-32

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” - Ephesians 4:30 ESV

The Greek word used for grieve here is lypeo, and it means to cause someone to be sad, sorrowful, or distressed. This seems to be the only place this word is used in reference to God (specifically, the Holy Spirit). 

Why would God use such a human word to describe how he feels when we make poor decisions, especially with the way we speak?

Again, God is giving us something with which we can relate.

All of us have experienced grief in some form, and many times it shows itself after we've felt the sting of disappointment or pain. The same word is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:13: "...that you may not grieve as others who have no hope."

So how can we keep from making the Holy Spirit distressed?

Paul lays it out when he says in verses 22,24: "put off your old self...and put on the new self." Don't climb back into the corpse of anger and hateful speech. Step into a better life with Jesus.

E.K. Simpson and F.F. Bruce’s words are so helpful with their commentary on this verse:

It is not an influence that these sacrileges stifle, but a sacred Person they repel, one who deigns in loving-kindness to dwell in our sin-deflowered souls, to become our Teacher, our Consoler, our Warden, the earnest and ensurer of our final purification. A careless walk implies irrecognition of all we owe to His untiring patience and quickening energy.

Day 268: Ephesians 4:1-16

“From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” - Ephesians 4:16 NIV

No matter what organization or movement we are a part of, we all love them to grow and succeed. “Scaling” growth is something businesses long to see.

How will we see this “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” within the Church? Do we need to alter our marketing plans or sink more money into advertising? Or what about making our buildings more kept-up and shiny?

The message Paul lays down here is that cooperative unity allows us (as Jesus’ Church) to take in and employ the fullness of God’s plan for His redeemed family. Being one and having each individual engaged in their own role is our marketing plan.

God has given us all we need: spiritual gifts, a Christian family, strong leadership, the truth, and Christ Himself.

If growth isn’t happening, it isn’t for lack of Jesus equipping the Church. It is likely due to our resistance of unity or a refusal to believe we have an essential role to play.

May we become engaged in what God is doing in our midst today. From reading these sixteen verses today, it is vital to the mission!

Day 267: Ephesians 3:1-21

“...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” - Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV

Agape is the word Paul uses here for love. More than any other gift that comes from the hand of God, this is the one that makes us either rise or fall. This is probably because we are constantly in need of its refilling. When we run dry on love, we start treating others as objects to be used. When we lack love, we start looking to God as a cosmic vending machine. If people, or God, don't give us what we want, we land in disappointment and bitterness.

Yet when we are rooted and grounded in love, we see people as image-bearers of God. We also start to see God as a loving Father, wanting what's best for us.

Everything God does is purposeful and is ultimately for our good. We may not understand it or even be able to explain it, but we know that God's love is time-tested and will take us to places unattainable by our own effort.

Paul is right. Jesus' love surpasses knowledge!

"That is what Paul’s goal is in this prayer and, in many ways, in this letter: that God’s love and wisdom and strength might so permeate them that they become mature as a people." - Darrell Bock

Day 266: Ephesians 2:1-22

“Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” - Ephesians 2:5-6 ESV

How much grace does God have available to pour out on us? Is there a threshold that He won't cross? Will He ever withhold it because of scarcity or His impatience with us?

In this letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul continues to use some variation of the Greek word plousios to describe God's great grace. We see it in our translations as rich. Another translation can be in abundance.

God's grace is opulent, and His storehouse that contains it is always full.

God's grace is the secure foundation that allows us to respond in faith. When we respond with that trust in Jesus, God does His best work, His resurrecting work.

There are so many people walking around today that are animated, but they are dead in their sin. God is waiting with His grace to set them free.

He is not only merciful, showing his pity to those who are totally unworthy and undeserving; he is rich in mercy (see on 1:7). That mercy proceeds from love, the great love with which he loved us. There is longing in the heart of God for humanity. - Francis Foulkes

Day 265: Ephesians 1:1-23

“Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” - Ephesians 1:5 ESV

How long has God had you on His mind? When did He know that you would come to faith in His Son, Jesus? According to this verse, before God said, "Let there be light," He knew you would be saved toward a new life. That should make you feel loved today.

Ephesians 1 could be re-read 100x in one sitting and still have more to give us as food for the depths of our souls.

The exciting thing to think about, coming out of this passage, is that there are still more who God knows who will turn to Him in faith for salvation from their sin. The troubling thing is that we don't know who will say "yes" to Jesus. God does. We don't. We don't have foreknowledge as God does (He exists outside of time). This should give some serious urgency to our call as Jesus-followers to "go and make disciples of all nations." (see Matthew 28:18-20)

The pre-Christians are out there. Let's go find them, and then tell them they are invited.