Devotional on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

by Tim Williamson

 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.  

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.                                                                        

1 Corinthians 12:12 - 27 

The culture in which we live tends to have a very highly individualistic nature to it.  Looking back as far as Greek literature, we note that the great epic poems like the Iliad and the Odyssey celebrate the achievements of heroes who overcame their enemies (and in some cases the opposition of the gods) through the use of their intellect, cunning, or strength.  Modernity has only reinforced these cultural norms.  In fact, it was the Enlightenment philosophers that looked back to the Greek philosopher Protagoras and agreed with him that, “"Man is the Measure of All Things".  Of all the people on the earth, Americans seem to have embedded this most completely in their national ethos.  The virtues of “rugged individualism” and “the protestant work ethic” are commonly (and mostly correctly, in my opinion) cited for various historical successes the American people like completing the westward expansion to the Pacific Ocean and building incredible wealth during the industrial revolution.

However, when we read the scriptures, we find that while the Lord loves his people on an individual basis, he has a special love and purpose for his people on a corporate basis as well.  We frequently use the word “corporate” to describe activities or events in the life of the church that occur when God’s people are gathered together.  The root of the word is “corpus” which is latin for “body”.  In today’s devotion, Paul uses the analogy of the body to teach about God’s design for the church, how we are to understand it, and how we are to carry out life together in it. 

One of the first things to note in this passage, is that it forms a bridge between the passage that comes before it, and the one that comes after it.  In the science of interpreting written documents, this is referred to as the “literary context” of the passage.  Understanding the context helps us understand what the author (in this case Paul) is trying to communicate.  The parts of the body tie to the spiritual gifts mentioned in 12:1-11 and the offices or functions mentioned in 28-31.

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledgeaccording to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

                                                            1 Corinthians 12:8 – 10

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

 1 Corinthians 12:28

 Paul is making a larger argument in this chapter that all Christians, regardless of race, ethnicity, or prior religious background, have been united to Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit.  It is the work of the (one) Spirit that allows the believer to confess, “Jesus is Lord,” and then binds that believer to Christ.  He then bestows gifts upon Christ’s people so that we all may live and work together in unity in the same way that all of the parts of a body work together to achieve a single purpose.  The gifts of knowledge, healing, miracles, etc. exist so that the church would be built up by those appointed to exercise those gifts (teachers, healers, miracle workers, etc.).

However, we can see that a problem may arise as some perceive certain gifts (like miracle working) to be superior to others (like administration or helping).  Paul anticipates this issue and uses the analogy of the body to demonstrate God’s purpose of unity in the church through the diversity of the gifts.

The first thing he warns against is looking at the gifts that have been given to us and becoming discouraged that they are not like the gifts of others.  We may not be a “hand” or an “eye”, but that makes us no less part of the body!  Each are of value and belong to the whole. Do not be discouraged because you lack (in relative measure) gifts that you see in others, like the ability to teach or practice hospitality.  The Holy Spirit has bestowed a myriad of gifts upon his people – and no two are alike! In fact, the gifts mentioned in scripture are just a short list of examples.  There are as many gifts (and combination of gifts) as there are opportunities to build one another up in the knowledge and unity of our faith in Christ.  As a member of Christ’s body you have a Spirit-given role to play in the life of the church!

Next, Paul demonstrates how silly it would be if we all did have the same gifts.  If the body were  all “eyes” it wouldn’t be able to hear.  If it were all “ears” it wouldn’t be able to smell.  Paul’s point is that it would be impossible to sustain life without the diversity of the members of the biological body.  In the same way, God has made it (in a manner of speaking) impossible to sustain the life of the church, Christ’s spiritual body, without the diversity of gifts he has bestowed on its members.  Pastor John indicated this on Sunday morning when he thanked the members for their continued love and support of the elders.  As those charged with shepherding the flock, there is plenty of opportunity to grow weary and discouraged.  But you all are a wonderful encouragement to us in your willingness to listen, receive correction, and follow our lead in the areas where we have been granted authority.  Can you imagine a congregation where only the gift of leading was exercised without the gift of following?  I can imagine that it would not feel like a gift for long!

Finally, Paul answers the flipside of the first argument.  Not only are we not to despise our own gifts, we are not to despise the gifts of others.  It would be sinful to tell members who possess gifts that are unlike our own, or “seem weak”, that we have no need of them.  In fact, it is precisely these weak gifts that are brought to a place of honor among us by the working of the Spirit.  What is God’s purpose in this? “[T]hat there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”  It is for our unity!

This concept of unity in diversity is woven throughout the pages of scripture and into the fabric of existence.  God glorifies himself as one being who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The three persons are never divided either in essence or in will.  They perfectly love and glorify one another throughout all eternity.  We reflect God’s image, fulfilling the purpose for which we were created, as we diversely love one another in unity.  It displays our union to Christ and to one another as His body.  Just as Christ identifies with his people (“Saul why are you persecuting me?”), we identify with each other as well.  Practically speaking, we do this as we exercise our gifts for the benefit of one another and we affirm this truth weekly during communion.

Take some time this week to consider how the same Spirit that called you to repentance and faith in Christ has gifted you to be a blessing to the members of Christ our Savior Baptist Church.  Our gifts are given to us not so that we might be a blessing to God, but that we might be a blessing to each other as we strive along our pilgrimage together.  If you’re having difficulty seeing your gifts, think of the ways in which you have loved and served others recently or opportunities that may exist to love and serve one another soon.

It is a blessing to be an elder among you.  Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement! 

Devotional on Romans 12:14-21

by Tim Williamson

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

                                                                        Romans 12:14-21, ESV

In his last devotional, Pastor Geo led us through the preceding verses of this chapter in which the apostle Paul lays out for the church in Rome the marks of a genuine Christian.  Romans 12:9-13 focuses primarily on ways in which Christians are to live out the “one-anothers” within the context of the church.  And as Pastor Geo said, this is not simply a check list of things for us to do, but is more about a pattern of life that is the result of the transforming power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit within us.  

 Verses 14 through 21 continue to develop this pattern more fully within the context of the Christian Life as it relates to the broader world outside of the church.  Certainly these instructions are meant to be carried out between Christians, but the emphasis on scenarios which would generally occur outside the church (i. e., dealing with persecution or how to treat an enemy) give this passage a slightly broader applicability.  Paul uses the same “list” method to describe what the marks of a Christian look like in their interactions with the world.

 Paul provides the following positive instructions: bless those who persecute you, rejoice and weep with your neighbors, live in harmony, associate with the lowly, do what is honorable in the sight of all, live peaceably with all, and overcome the evil of your enemies by treating them well.  He contrasts these positive commands against negative ones: do not curse those who persecute you, do not be haughty, don’t be wise in your own sight, do not repay evil for evil, and do not seek vengeance for yourself.  It would be very easy to treat these commands as a list of “do’s” and “don’ts”.  However, to treat them this way misses the larger point that Paul is commending to the Romans.  Paul’s intent is for these believers to manifest the fruits of the gospel in their lives so that they will be given an audience to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with their neighbors.

In this passage we see three key attitudes, or characteristics, that should mark the life of a Christian in such a way that they will be given opportunities to spread the gospel: empathy, humility, and peacemaking.  First, Paul says that Christians are to be empathetic by rejoicing and weeping with our neighbors.  In times of joy, we are able to point people to the foretaste that earthly joy gives us of the eternal joy to come when we are in Christ’s presence.  When times of sadness come, we are able to tell our neighbors about the God who promises to wipe every tear away from his people’s eyes – and in doing so he will banish sadness forever.  

Next, the apostle commands us to exercise humility.  We are to, “associate with the lowly,” and, “never be wise” in our own sight.  In the First Letter to the church in Corinth, Paul says that God has chosen the what is foolish in this world to, “shame the wise”.  By this he doesn’t mean that we should not seek to use biblical wisdom (there is an entire genre of books in the Bible that are titled “Wisdom Literature”), but rather we should reject the pride that puffs us up when we believe we have superior knowledge or understanding to our neighbors.  Instead, we are to use the knowledge of the gospel, and seek out the “lowly” with whom to share it.  We see in the Gospel accounts repeatedly that Jesus rebukes the proud and self-righteous but gives grace to those who humbly repent and trust him.  Paul encourages us to be humble, like our savior, and bring the message of God’s free mercy to those who are ready to hear it.

 Finally, we see the call to live a peaceful life in the midst of a world that is torn by chaos and strife.  It has been far too common throughout church history, even to the present day, for Christians to be identified with the use of the weapons of warfare wielded by the world.  Instead of relying upon God’s provision, we seek to make our own through greedy gain.  Instead of allowing God to exercise judgement on our behalf, we seek to seize political power to punish those we disagree with on moral or religious grounds.  Instead of bearing the insults of the world with dignity and patience, we turn our tongues, pens, and keyboards to the task of inflicting emotional and reputation damage.  These are not the marks of a people saved by grace.  Instead, we are to exemplify with our lives the peace that we have with God through Christ.  In doing so, we reject the world’s methods and create space and opportunity to point our neighbors to the Prince of Peace.

 A consistent theme through Paul’s writings is that Christians are “new creations”.  We are no longer who we were before the Holy Spirit convicted us of sin and righteousness.  This helps us put the commands of the New Testament in context. We are not called to work really hard to do all of these good things and none of these bad things.  We are called to live consistently with who we are in Christ.  We are called to “be” who we “are”.  The change has been wrought in our souls by Christ’s perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection.  We have been given the Holy Spirit as our guarantee of the future promises to come.  Our nature and disposition have been changed from one of rebellion to obedient submission.  Though we are still at war with our flesh (and will be until we are glorified), we have the ability to sincerely, though not perfectly, love God and neighbor.  May our lives be marked by empathy, humility, and peace so that the world will see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

Devotional on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

by Tim Williamson
  

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thess. 1:1-10, ESV) 

My family and I have recently started reading through 1 Thessalonians as part of our regular devotions.  This is a wonderful letter that Paul sent to the church in Thessalonica to commend them and to encourage them to continue in faith, hope, and love.  Unlike other churches where he was able to spend an extended amount of time planting and teaching (e. g., Ephesus), Paul was only able to spend a few weeks with the Thessalonian believers before he was forced to flee due to the outrage of the Jewish religious leaders in the local synagogue (Acts 17:1-8).  His letters to this church reflect a desire to affirm them both in their doctrine and in their practice.

The Spiritual fruits of faith, hope, and love appear together in this text as they do in other places throughout the New Testament.  In fact, outside of 1 Corinthians 13, these virtues appear together as closely in the text only two other times – both in 1 Thessalonians (1:3, 5:8)!  Given that Paul finds it important to tell the church that he continually thanks God for the manifestations of these virtues in their lives, it is worth us giving some consideration to them and how they apply to us. 

First, Paul writes of their, “work of faith.”  By this does Paul mean that faith itself is a human work?  May it never be!  As we read in v. 4, “For we know brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.”  The Thessalonians were the recipients grace by faith that had been given to them based on the free choice of God.  Instead, he is referring to the works that have been produced by the faith that the Thessalonians have received.  What works?  We read that the Thessalonians, “became imitators of [Paul, Silas, Timothy] and of the Lord,” by receiving the word of God even in the face of persecution and by turning, “to God from idols,” (v. 9).  These works were evidence that the Thessalonians had truly believed in Christ and was evidence of salvific faith.

Next, Paul commends the Thessalonians for their “labor of love”.  Compare this with Paul’s declaration in the next verse that the they were, “loved by God”.  How are we to understand this kind of love?  I believe we are meant to see two things.  First, love is a sacrificial act that requires effort on the part of the one who is “loving”.  Second, that the love that Christians are to have for one another flows from the love that God has shown us in Christ.  This kind love goes beyond the example that Christ gives us in his ministry (although we should imitate the Lord as Paul has already said!).  The love of God makes us right with him by taking away our sin, and giving us Christ’s righteousness.  Our hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh that can sincerely (though not yet perfectly) love both God and neighbor in a way that pleases him.

We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19, ESV)

In chapter 4, as Paul is providing additional instruction on Godly living, he tells the Thessalonians, “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,” (v. 9).  May we be so taught by the Spirit that brotherly love would mark our congregation in this same way!

Finally, Paul thanks God for the Thessalonian church’s, “steadfastness of hope.”  It is their hope in Christ’s promises that causes them, “to wait for [God’s] Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (v. 10). Their hoping and their waiting are closely connected.  While waiting for the return of Christ, it is easy for us to become discouraged.  A look at our present circumstances could certainly cause us to begin to doubt the power and goodness of God.  But unlike human hope, we have a Spirit-given hope that produces steadfastness even as our faith is tested.

…for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:3-4, ESV) 

The biblical idea of steadfastness is one of unwavering perseverance in obedience and trust in the Lord.  Since our first parents fell, we are prone to unbelief.  Regardless of what God tells us in his word, or how he demonstrates his faithfulness in his providence, or in his special saving love for his people - we are doubters!  But the hope we have in Christ fights sinful doubt and replaces it with confidence.  Once again, this is not wishful thinking, but is a blessing we obtain as we receive the Holy Spirit by faith.  We have the future certainty of the return of Christ to anchor our hope.

In the Christian life faith, hope, and love are first and foremost gifts from our kind Father.  May we receive them with thankfulness, and then put them to use in building one another up as we wait for the return of Christ and the resurrection to new life!

Hymn: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Devotional on Mark 15:6-16

by Tim Williamson

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.  Mark 15:6 – 15 (ESV)

This portion of the narrative of Good Friday is familiar to most of us.  Jesus, an innocent man, is condemned by Pilot to be crucified due to the incessant protests of the crowds outside his palace.  These crowds had been gathered and whipped up by the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem who believed Jesus to both be guilty of blasphemy (that is, claiming to be God) and saw him as a threat to their positions of power and their attempts to justify themselves before God through their outward obedience to the law.  Pilot was a fairly shrewd man and had correctly, “perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered [Jesus] up.”  

There was a potential solution available to him.  By custom, the Roman Governor released one prisoner back to the people at Passover.  If he were able to persuade the crowds to ask for Jesus to be released, he could put this whole affair (which he regarded as a Jewish religious squabble) to bed.  The religious leaders and the crowds, however, would not be satisfied with the solution.  Instead, they demanded that a man named Barabbas be released.  We learn from the accompanying account in Luke that Barabbas was, “a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder,” (Luke 23:19, ESV).  Unable to persuade the crowds, and in fear of a riot breaking out, Pilot eventually acquiesces by releasing Barabbas and having Jesus flogged and crucified.

I was encouraged to take a fresh look at this passage this week when I read something Kevin DeYoung posted on Twitter:

If ever there were a clear picture of the gospel, surely it is with Barabbas. The guilty man--a kind of imposter son of the father (bar abba)--goes free, while the innocent man, the true Son of the Father, dies in his place (John 18:40). -@RevKevDeYoung

I had not considered what the name Barabbas would have meant to the original crowd standing outside of Pilot’s palace and to the original readers and hearers of the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life.
“imposter son”.

Jesus taught us that there are only two families with two kinds of sons in this world.  There are those who have God as their Father, and those who have the Devil as their father.  The Jewish religious leaders claimed God as their Father, but Jesus rebuked them:

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John 8:42 – 47, (ESV)

Jesus tells them that their will is to do their father’s desires, and that those desires include murder.  Just as the Devil played his role in the murder-suicide that was Adam’s disobedience, his children would soon play their role in the murder of the Second Adam.  Likewise, Barabbas, a murderer, is the choice of these same leaders when given the opportunity to have someone spared justice from the Roman governor.  A group of “imposter sons” bargaining with the authorities to have the life of one of their own spared at the expense of the True Son.  We are meant to see this as a great injustice.  We are meant to pause and take account of what is happening.  The imposter sons of the king are about to put the true crown prince to death, and in doing so lay hold of the keys to the kingdom.  What can be done?

What could not be seen or understood by the eyewitnesses was that God was presenting an earthly picture of the heavenly reality taking place.  As these events were unfolding, God was preparing to set aside his wrath against “imposter sons” and declare them righteous, while at the same time bearing their guilt in the person of the True Son.  Barabbas is a picture God pardoning his people.  Jesus’ enemies thought they had won, but God used this very act to help bring about his salvation! 

As Peter would help the crowds at Pentecost soon understand:

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:22-24 (ESV)

As God’s people it is good for us to reflect on the ways in which this episode involving Barabbas helps us think rightly about ourselves, our standing before God, and our Savior. I think there are three points (among others) worthy of consideration:

• Just as Barabbas was truly guilty of crimes against the Emperor warranting death, so too were we truly guilty of crimes against the Supreme Emperor of the universe deserving Eternal Death.  

• Just as Barabbas was unable to free himself from the chains of a Roman prison, we were unable to free ourselves from bondage to sin and death. 

• Just as it required a decree from the Governor to set Barabbas free, so too our freedom has come through the declaration of righteousness pronounced upon us by God.  

Thanks be to God that he loved rebellious “imposter sons” enough to atone for them, forgive them, and adopt them into his family to share in the glorious inheritance of his True Son! 
 
“Man of Sorrows” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Hallelujah, what a Savior

Bearing shame and scoffing rude
In my place condemned He stood
Sealed my pardon with His blood
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Hallelujah, what a Savior

Guilty vile and helpless we
Spotless Lamb of God was He
Full atonement can it be
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Hallelujah, what a Savior

Lifted up was He to die
“It is finished!” was His cry
Now in heaven exalted high
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Hallelujah, what a Savior

When He comes, our glorious King
All His ransomed home to bring
Then anew this song we’ll sing
Hallelujah, what a Savior

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm_CwCvs4Ho

Have a blessed Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday!

Devotional on Philippians 2:5-11

by Tim Williamson

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 As we face the effects of a pandemic (and the social and economic consequences that it brings), it is certainly easy to become discouraged.  The normal rhythms of life have been upended in both small and big ways. Activities many of us take for granted, like going to school or work, shopping for groceries, or gathering together as God’s people have either become significantly more complicated or prohibited altogether.  The effects of these disruptions range from minor annoyances to serious threats to our health and safety.  In a very real sense, there is a substantial degree of suffering that we are enduring on a global scale.

 Paul wrote to the church in Philippi during a time of personal suffering in his own ministry. He had been imprisoned (likely in Rome) for the sake of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He wrote to a church that, likewise, was suffering persecution (1:27 – 30) for their witness to that same gospel.  However, Philippians is often referred to as the “epistle of joy”.  The term is mentioned 16 times in the letter.

How strange!  What about imprisonment and persecution could possibly bring about joy?!

In a very unexpected way, Paul encourages the Philippians to be joyful because of their suffering. Paul causes the saints to understand that their union with Christ is first in his suffering and then in his glory. Our reflection upon Jesus in his humanity, is a reflection upon a life of suffering.  Jesus laid aside the perfect bliss of his glory and took upon himself the burden and sorrow of humanity.  Then he suffered not just the slander and revile of men, but the wrath of God against sinful humanity.  There is no one who has ever experienced humiliation like Jesus.  

However, the story doesn’t end there.  Jesus’ obedience was rewarded by God with a glory that in every way surpassed his suffering.  Not only was he raised from the dead, but he won the right to share this resurrection life with his people!  Those who are united to Christ will suffer, but we also receive a share of Christ’s great reward!  This is the encouragement.  As Paul summarizes later in chapter 3:8b-11:

For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

 This is truly a reason to be joyful in the midst of suffering.

We must also be aware that there is a distinctly Christian way to suffer.  That is, we do not suffer as the world does.  The world remains under the wrath of God, and therefore curses Him in because of it.  We can see evidence of this in the response that many have had to our present crisis. As Christians, however, we are to suffer in faith.  Suffering is meant to lead us to patient endurance and trust in the God of our redemption.  If God was faithful to Christ in the midst of the greatest suffering ever experienced, will he not be faithful to those of us whom he has united to Christ by His Spirit? He will!

Paul encourages us to have the same mind about suffering as Christ because it has been given to us by the Holy Spirit.  I plan to spend some time today evaluating whether I am suffering in faith or unbelief. I would encourage you to do the same. If you find, as I often do, my faith is mixed with unbelief, I would further encourage you to look to Christ, trusting in his perfect obedience as your righteousness before our God.

May the Lord give us the mind of Christ in this matter, as he has promised in his word!

 Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pfhdlm9qJs