Philippians: Paul's "Stairway to Heaven"?
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Ephesians 2:1-3 You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
Ephesians 2:4-7 ~ Because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
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How to not be in I must. The liberty of Law verses under Law. Freed to sin, one ends up not sinning, learns truth over error of being under Law. Which takes time in not ever giving up learning truth standing in trust to God, no matter what troubles happen to us, past< present, or future
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Ephesians 2:1-3 You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
Ephesians 2:4-7 ~ Because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
seeing clearer and clearer daily, in this amazing grace of Son given for us all to stand in, and be at rest in thanksgiving and praise os this amazing gift.
To me at least,
Thank you Magenta for your posts, led to post
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“The quest for eternal life is a venture for mankind, for God "has put eternity in their hearts"
amen brother the tree of life was in man’s original home and part of his inheritance blessing
“And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden,
and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
Genesis 2:8-9 KJV
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Genesis 2:16-17 KJV
But of course man transgressed the commandment given to keep them alive and safe in Eden and chose the one promising death so it was fulfilled
“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: ( they became thier own judge of good and evil rather than trusting gods judgements of good and evil he gave them )
and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
Genesis 3:22-24 KJV
death isnt the plan for man but eternity through Christ
“…These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks……..
…..He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
Revelation 2:7 KJV
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
Revelation 22:14 KJV
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
John 12:49-50
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
….Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
John 8:31-32, 51 KJV
“but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
John 20:31 KJV
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”
John 14:1-4, 6-7 KJV
“At that day ( when they received the holy ghost )ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:
and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”
John 14:20-21, 23-24 KJV
In the ot under the law under condemnation for sin , the people reacted to hearing God speak commands
“Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.”
Deuteronomy 5:25 KJV
But the truth of the gospel after remission of sins that we need to believe is
“Verily, verily, I ( Jesus ) say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24 KJV
Life has always been Gods offer he placed Adam in Eden with the tree of life and freedom to eat from it. But then man keeps choosing death by transgressing the warnings he gives us about it
God says to man
“ don’t eat from this one single tree it’s deadly for you but all else is freely yours your blessed and rulers of the earth “
Mankind’s answer in the shadows
“ok lord let me try that forbidden fruit then see what happens “
amen brother the tree of life was in man’s original home and part of his inheritance blessing
“And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden,
and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
Genesis 2:8-9 KJV
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Genesis 2:16-17 KJV
But of course man transgressed the commandment given to keep them alive and safe in Eden and chose the one promising death so it was fulfilled
“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: ( they became thier own judge of good and evil rather than trusting gods judgements of good and evil he gave them )
and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
Genesis 3:22-24 KJV
death isnt the plan for man but eternity through Christ
“…These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks……..
…..He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
Revelation 2:7 KJV
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
Revelation 22:14 KJV
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
John 12:49-50
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
….Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
John 8:31-32, 51 KJV
“but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
John 20:31 KJV
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”
John 14:1-4, 6-7 KJV
“At that day ( when they received the holy ghost )ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:
and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”
John 14:20-21, 23-24 KJV
In the ot under the law under condemnation for sin , the people reacted to hearing God speak commands
“Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.”
Deuteronomy 5:25 KJV
But the truth of the gospel after remission of sins that we need to believe is
“Verily, verily, I ( Jesus ) say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24 KJV
Life has always been Gods offer he placed Adam in Eden with the tree of life and freedom to eat from it. But then man keeps choosing death by transgressing the warnings he gives us about it
God says to man
“ don’t eat from this one single tree it’s deadly for you but all else is freely yours your blessed and rulers of the earth “
Mankind’s answer in the shadows
“ok lord let me try that forbidden fruit then see what happens “
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I think I am going to make a pst out of this post, thanks for the encouragement brother
No, satan does not fight fair, never did, yet defeated, at the resurrected Christ, declawed, de-toothed, destroyed, at the resurrection of Jesus, resurrected by Father. leaving only the flesh nature left to get born again as new by God in resurrected Son or not. Those that believe God in Son as risen and Satan defeated win, with God moving in to them, us that believe God in this gift as given, not earned ever, as said in Hebrews 1, God waiting for the flesh all flesh that will come to believe will be willing to get led by God not the self or anyone else anymore.
Proof Son won, God says so, his Father now our Father (John 20) to all that believe God sincerely see, if not yet, will, so continue, no matter what you be trapped in for now. I know it shall leave too, so continue to stand in belief, God does the work as is done by Son for us way back at that cross for us to cross over now, in continued trust. First we are reconciled (Forgiven) by Son on that cross to be able to now cross over in the resurrected Son in belief he is risen for us to be risen right now, presently forever in this love and mercy given us, to appreciate not use for any self gain ever again ever.
Then comes the billy Goat (religion), who but's in again, You just sinned, you know you did, I bet you are taking God for granted and not good enough are you, the thought(s) of evil, planted in our old mindsets, by evil spirits, that flood us to not accept it is done by Son for us, so we get caught up under Law and do it again, what we now hate and can't get out from under it, because of bad habits that form in us, trying not to do, we do as said in Romans 7 to us. That is what being under Law, Paul is talking about to us y'all.
Bad habits form in people, me included, so habitually it becomes a trait in them. Once anyone trying to let go and let God have the reins, can't, having The bad habit that had formed in them as a threat, a fear is no way to get cleared from it in trying to not do it again. It gets worse. has that happened in you too? You decide I see it in me.
That is my experience that only God Father of in the risen Son can remove from us. Those that will not quit beleif to God in risen Son eventually see this happening in them too. and see it leave one layer at a time. like being peeled like an onion that brings many tears at first, yet when get to the center of an onion, it is a sweet smelling savor, and worth it, going through troubles y'all. to all those that choose to not ever give up in belief to God even as Job in the book of Job and much deeper in Jesus the Son for us to be new in his risen Life for us to be new in and not of us ourselves at all anymore, willing to learn this truth, then you will learn it too.
to be willingly crucified and risen with Father and Son as one with them as Won (One) for us, as far as the east is from the west, that prediction filled in Son for us as in Psalm 103:12
No, satan does not fight fair, never did, yet defeated, at the resurrected Christ, declawed, de-toothed, destroyed, at the resurrection of Jesus, resurrected by Father. leaving only the flesh nature left to get born again as new by God in resurrected Son or not. Those that believe God in Son as risen and Satan defeated win, with God moving in to them, us that believe God in this gift as given, not earned ever, as said in Hebrews 1, God waiting for the flesh all flesh that will come to believe will be willing to get led by God not the self or anyone else anymore.
Proof Son won, God says so, his Father now our Father (John 20) to all that believe God sincerely see, if not yet, will, so continue, no matter what you be trapped in for now. I know it shall leave too, so continue to stand in belief, God does the work as is done by Son for us way back at that cross for us to cross over now, in continued trust. First we are reconciled (Forgiven) by Son on that cross to be able to now cross over in the resurrected Son in belief he is risen for us to be risen right now, presently forever in this love and mercy given us, to appreciate not use for any self gain ever again ever.
Then comes the billy Goat (religion), who but's in again, You just sinned, you know you did, I bet you are taking God for granted and not good enough are you, the thought(s) of evil, planted in our old mindsets, by evil spirits, that flood us to not accept it is done by Son for us, so we get caught up under Law and do it again, what we now hate and can't get out from under it, because of bad habits that form in us, trying not to do, we do as said in Romans 7 to us. That is what being under Law, Paul is talking about to us y'all.
Bad habits form in people, me included, so habitually it becomes a trait in them. Once anyone trying to let go and let God have the reins, can't, having The bad habit that had formed in them as a threat, a fear is no way to get cleared from it in trying to not do it again. It gets worse. has that happened in you too? You decide I see it in me.
That is my experience that only God Father of in the risen Son can remove from us. Those that will not quit beleif to God in risen Son eventually see this happening in them too. and see it leave one layer at a time. like being peeled like an onion that brings many tears at first, yet when get to the center of an onion, it is a sweet smelling savor, and worth it, going through troubles y'all. to all those that choose to not ever give up in belief to God even as Job in the book of Job and much deeper in Jesus the Son for us to be new in his risen Life for us to be new in and not of us ourselves at all anymore, willing to learn this truth, then you will learn it too.
to be willingly crucified and risen with Father and Son as one with them as Won (One) for us, as far as the east is from the west, that prediction filled in Son for us as in Psalm 103:12
- Revelation 1:17
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations - Revelation 1:18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
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Amen SF, and thank you as always for your very kind words. I do know exactly what you are talking about, also, relative to our age and sense of mortality increasing as we age. In fact, I have become aware of late that I am often randomly announcing to people that I am almost seventy, and the summer before I turned 69 (last summer) it did strike me with some force one day that I was almost seventy! The shock of it being how old that sounds, and what a surprise also that I have survived so long! I do not feel that old in my spirit, but my body sure lets me know I am LOL. And my own daughter is almost forty! Time waits for no one, and yes, I am so grateful God was gracious enough toward me to allow me to survive the stupidity of my youth, and even beyond that, I feel very blessed by so much in my life's circumstances.
Philippians4-13plus12a
Philippians4-13plus12a
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thank you for this compliment love you, as God loves us all, and I am in Thanksgiving an praise over it, dead to the flesh first birth, done by God for me, wow, woe is is me as in. ?Isaiah 6:1-7 for us all to stand in
thanks, as I am noting, God is everything
ubiquitous is God, I can only serve God, hoping all others do this too, as I see many will, not sure about all. Just that all are called to believe God or not
Those that believe God, that do not quit, eventually see what true born again is. I am in process, even if there, I am in a body of unredeemed flesh as all others as well. That does not quit fighting the Spirit of God to have control to fight God and be God as many of the faith claim God and are not of God at all. the self is in the way as if they know, and do not know, yet think they know. As God will not condemn them being Son does for them also. Not just a few, dies once for evertyone
Luke 22:31-32 ~ Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat...
wow! As we each learn staying turned, thanks to this love and mercy, given from God to us through risen Son. Amazing me too
thanks, as I am noting, God is everything
ubiquitous is God, I can only serve God, hoping all others do this too, as I see many will, not sure about all. Just that all are called to believe God or not
Those that believe God, that do not quit, eventually see what true born again is. I am in process, even if there, I am in a body of unredeemed flesh as all others as well. That does not quit fighting the Spirit of God to have control to fight God and be God as many of the faith claim God and are not of God at all. the self is in the way as if they know, and do not know, yet think they know. As God will not condemn them being Son does for them also. Not just a few, dies once for evertyone
Luke 22:31-32 ~ Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat...
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Exactly. Isn't it incredible how Adam and Eve were given an abundance of delicious and life-sustaining sustenance, yet the one tree they were told to avoid was too much to resist, especially with Satan casting doubt into their minds - "God is withholding from you. He knows that when you eat from that tree, you will be like Him, and you can decide for yourselves what's right and what's wrong." Notice how God warned them: "for in the day that thou eatest thereof (for when you eat of it [NIV]). It's not translated as "if you eat of it" but "when." I think God knew what their choice would be, especially with the serpent waiting in the weeds for the right moment of weakness to pounce.
Here's the type of life we can enjoy in contrast when we partake of the Tree of Life:
Philippians 4:4-8
New King James Version
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your [a]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
In contrast to the despair the devil and his subjects suffer as a result of their pride and selfishness, life in our Lord is one of rejoicing. It is a life of gentleness and thanksgiving, and we have nothing to be anxious about because "The Lord is at Hand...and the peace of God" is far more than just an absence of war. God's peace is a peace of mind, heart, and soul that "surpasses all understanding." It's like a warm summer day on the beach enjoying the vastness and power of the ocean with cool breezes and crashing waves that are refreshing, soothing, and revitalizing.
The attributes Paul encourages us to meditate on in verse 8 are fruits from the Tree of Life: truth, nobility, justice, pureness, loveliness, admirable, virtuous, and praiseworthy. All that is good comes from God, and He gives us ample guidance on the dangers we need to avoid such as arrogance and rebellion. The choice is simple for us: do we want to learn through experimentation (the forbidden tree) or through revelation (the tree of life)? I'm not saying all forms of experimentation are wrong, and it is an important part of business and science. However, if God says "don't do this" (revelation), we need to take Him at His word or our experiment can produce some devastating consequences as Adam and Eve learned first-hand.
Here's the type of life we can enjoy in contrast when we partake of the Tree of Life:
Philippians 4:4-8
New King James Version
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your [a]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
In contrast to the despair the devil and his subjects suffer as a result of their pride and selfishness, life in our Lord is one of rejoicing. It is a life of gentleness and thanksgiving, and we have nothing to be anxious about because "The Lord is at Hand...and the peace of God" is far more than just an absence of war. God's peace is a peace of mind, heart, and soul that "surpasses all understanding." It's like a warm summer day on the beach enjoying the vastness and power of the ocean with cool breezes and crashing waves that are refreshing, soothing, and revitalizing.
The attributes Paul encourages us to meditate on in verse 8 are fruits from the Tree of Life: truth, nobility, justice, pureness, loveliness, admirable, virtuous, and praiseworthy. All that is good comes from God, and He gives us ample guidance on the dangers we need to avoid such as arrogance and rebellion. The choice is simple for us: do we want to learn through experimentation (the forbidden tree) or through revelation (the tree of life)? I'm not saying all forms of experimentation are wrong, and it is an important part of business and science. However, if God says "don't do this" (revelation), we need to take Him at His word or our experiment can produce some devastating consequences as Adam and Eve learned first-hand.
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tbats some good eating there brother good food you share ! Amen as usual
“I think God knew what their choice would be, “
yes God had foreknowledge of all things but they freely chose he just knew that they would. He’s knows each of us who will be saved and in eternity with him he’s always known but our perspective isn’t that we are within the I folding plan and need to choose like they did not the tree of life like your saying there
sin which is a fruit of unbelief , is the forbidden fruit in our world and Gods word of the gospel is the tree of life tbat builds saving faith
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
“we need to take Him at His word or our experiment can produce some devastating consequences as Adam and Eve learned first-hand.”
This is what every man should know and live by taking God at his word is faith that saves us
“I think God knew what their choice would be, “
yes God had foreknowledge of all things but they freely chose he just knew that they would. He’s knows each of us who will be saved and in eternity with him he’s always known but our perspective isn’t that we are within the I folding plan and need to choose like they did not the tree of life like your saying there
sin which is a fruit of unbelief , is the forbidden fruit in our world and Gods word of the gospel is the tree of life tbat builds saving faith
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
“we need to take Him at His word or our experiment can produce some devastating consequences as Adam and Eve learned first-hand.”
This is what every man should know and live by taking God at his word is faith that saves us
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I agree with you that Philippians is very inspiring, but it is inspiring in encouraging us to run the Christian race better. By my count, I see 15 imperatives or commands pointing us to become more joyful, gentle, less anxious, more prayerful, more supplicatory (if that's a word), more thankful, etc. In that way, I commend God for inspiring Paul to encourage us.
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Hey brother - I wanted to close the loop on our discussion here and clean-up the work I started in Psalm 119 before I take a dive (probably a long one) into Ecclesiastes and James.
We do need to take God at His Word and draw upon the strength of faith He provides to live out that Word by the power of the Spirit. Jesus sums it up very well that we need to hear Jesus' word, believe in the Father, and we "hath everlasting life!" Jesus doesn't say we will receive eternal life in the future when we hear and believe. We have life at the time of conversion, and we don't have to worry about condemnation (judgement) any longer. We have passed from death (the wages of sin) to life (eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord).
Sure, these mortal bodies and minds we occupy that Paul uses a tent as a metaphor to describe wither and return to dust. But our spirit/soul meshed with the Holy Spirit lives on forever.
And, what kind of a life are we living within this temporary tent or tabernacle in the meantime?
Philippians 4:11-13
New King James Version
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how to [b]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through [c]Christ who strengthens me.
There is so much peace associated with contentment, and I have worked hard in recent years to simplify my life and focus on what's most important to me - my spiritual family and my family and colleagues in this life. I used to be so driven towards accomplishments - high GPAs at college, promotions at work, trophies for sports that I never really took the opportunity to sit and reflect upon what matters most in life to me - my family. I'm not saying that being diligent and pursuing goals in life are bad. For me, I was just out of balance and needed to weed out the briars to enjoy a fresh bed of hay to lay in and enjoy contentment in Christ.
Verse 13 is another example of why this letter is my favorite from Paul. I was talking to my cousin last night about an experience I had with a business colleague in Mexico. We were walking the streets of Queretaro later in the evening, and the city came alive with life. We passed a Catholic church that had mass in session, and we decided to stop in for the homily. My Spanish skills are conversational at best, but my Mexican friend was taking it all in. Later, as we were flying to another city, I asked my friend to read Philippians. After finishing the letter, I asked him what he thought, and he answered: "this is what the priest's message was all about." We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
We do need to take God at His Word and draw upon the strength of faith He provides to live out that Word by the power of the Spirit. Jesus sums it up very well that we need to hear Jesus' word, believe in the Father, and we "hath everlasting life!" Jesus doesn't say we will receive eternal life in the future when we hear and believe. We have life at the time of conversion, and we don't have to worry about condemnation (judgement) any longer. We have passed from death (the wages of sin) to life (eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord).
Sure, these mortal bodies and minds we occupy that Paul uses a tent as a metaphor to describe wither and return to dust. But our spirit/soul meshed with the Holy Spirit lives on forever.
And, what kind of a life are we living within this temporary tent or tabernacle in the meantime?
Philippians 4:11-13
New King James Version
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how to [b]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through [c]Christ who strengthens me.
There is so much peace associated with contentment, and I have worked hard in recent years to simplify my life and focus on what's most important to me - my spiritual family and my family and colleagues in this life. I used to be so driven towards accomplishments - high GPAs at college, promotions at work, trophies for sports that I never really took the opportunity to sit and reflect upon what matters most in life to me - my family. I'm not saying that being diligent and pursuing goals in life are bad. For me, I was just out of balance and needed to weed out the briars to enjoy a fresh bed of hay to lay in and enjoy contentment in Christ.
Verse 13 is another example of why this letter is my favorite from Paul. I was talking to my cousin last night about an experience I had with a business colleague in Mexico. We were walking the streets of Queretaro later in the evening, and the city came alive with life. We passed a Catholic church that had mass in session, and we decided to stop in for the homily. My Spanish skills are conversational at best, but my Mexican friend was taking it all in. Later, as we were flying to another city, I asked my friend to read Philippians. After finishing the letter, I asked him what he thought, and he answered: "this is what the priest's message was all about." We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
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I have found out "God just loves us all" otherwise that cross would not have ever happened in my honest opinion, seeing Jesus go there willingly, without any flesh fight back at all, amazing
then risen where new life begins in us the people, once anyone personally believes in God and Son as Won (One) for them to be in too, free of charge forever in thanksgiving and praise seeing by Son all is taken away for us the people, wow thank you Father and Son as Won for us the people to appreciate and trust you to teach us each new as in Romans 14:1-4, tells me. thank you
then risen where new life begins in us the people, once anyone personally believes in God and Son as Won (One) for them to be in too, free of charge forever in thanksgiving and praise seeing by Son all is taken away for us the people, wow thank you Father and Son as Won for us the people to appreciate and trust you to teach us each new as in Romans 14:1-4, tells me. thank you
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Paul closes out his letter to the Philippians by expressing gratitude for the gifts they shared with Paul during his time of need. Ideally, our relationships should be focused on giving, and if all of us are doing that, there is fulfillment, love, and gratitude that generates a deep level of joy:
Philippians 4:18-20
New King James Version
18 Indeed I [a]have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Human nature struggles with the outward focus of the Christian life because our nature apart from God has a self-centered focus. It's not about giving but about what we can get. When we give our time, energy, and resources to the Church, our families, the organizations we serve in, and the people we love, it is "...an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God." And, it all comes back to us because God has promised to take care of us and supply us with our needs. Paul ends this letter of thanksgiving by giving the glory to God and circling back to His grace:
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (v. 23)
Paul begins the letter with "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1: 2), and he ends with an emphasis on grace and our Lord Jesus Christ as well. That's how the Body of Christ, the Church, lives - we are sandwiched between two full loaves. Christ and grace supply our sustenance to be living sacrifices to spread the gospel with joy and agape love that is selfless and focused on the needs of others. Amen.
Philippians 4:18-20
New King James Version
18 Indeed I [a]have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Human nature struggles with the outward focus of the Christian life because our nature apart from God has a self-centered focus. It's not about giving but about what we can get. When we give our time, energy, and resources to the Church, our families, the organizations we serve in, and the people we love, it is "...an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God." And, it all comes back to us because God has promised to take care of us and supply us with our needs. Paul ends this letter of thanksgiving by giving the glory to God and circling back to His grace:
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (v. 23)
Paul begins the letter with "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1: 2), and he ends with an emphasis on grace and our Lord Jesus Christ as well. That's how the Body of Christ, the Church, lives - we are sandwiched between two full loaves. Christ and grace supply our sustenance to be living sacrifices to spread the gospel with joy and agape love that is selfless and focused on the needs of others. Amen.
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