Thought for the Week
Each week Brother Joe Norton shares his inspirational insights to Scripture.
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“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).
Two heads are better than one is an axiom quite commonly understood in our society. Only arrogant, over-confident tyrants make critical decisions without consulting experts who can give wise guidance. The preacher here establishes that point that has played out in societies throughout time: but the point also has merit in congregational leadership as well as in our individual lives. For the good of all and to follow scripture, congregations need more than one providing leadership as they steer a congregation through good times as well as bad. As individuals, we do well to consult older, more experienced counselors who can provide good advice as we navigate troubled waters that invariably come to everyone. Joe Final in a Study of Philippians 3:8-10
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10). Paul’s goal in maintaining a solid relationship in Jesus is three-fold, as he designates in this verse. The apostle wants to “know Him,” an expression that goes beyond academic knowledge of Jesus Christ. It carries with it the idea that the true believer will allow his knowledge of Christ to transform him—that is, to cause him to conform his life to the image of Jesus. Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, proving His relationship with God and proving the power of God over everything—even death. We reenact His death, His burial, and His resurrection in baptism, the act that allows us to have a relationship with Him, thus showing its power. Paul’s own suffering allowed him to have “fellowship” with the sufferings of Jesus, even though Jesus’ sufferings were more extreme. Paul’s sufferings were only temporary. Like Paul, our sufferings today are but nothing compared to the reward that awaits the faithful. Joe Second in a Study of Philippians 3:8-10
“And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Philippians 3:9). When Paul uses the expression “that I may gain Christ” in the previous verse, he is evidently looking to the future to “the day of Christ,” that is, to Judgment Day rather than limiting his discussion only to his current condition. On that Day, he wants to be found “in Christ” because he knows he will be judged, not by the Law nor, for that matter, by his own righteousness. He will be judged according to his standing with the Righteous One—a standing based on his own faith in the One who made righteousness possible. May we take heed to the subtle teaching in this verse: our own standing on the Day of Judgment will be determined by our sincere active faith in Jesus. We attain salvation by maintaining a solid relationship with Him—that is, by following the commandments in His Word. Joe First in a Study of Philippians 3:8-10
“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Having emphasized that it is only by using Christ as a model that the Philippians can find unity and spiritual joy, the Apostle Paul uses himself to illustrate that sacrifices may be required to achieve such aspirations. Paul gave up his family, position, and wealth so that he could not only have a knowledge of Jesus but also so that he could become an active servant in the Lord’s new ministry. He says those things were worthless in comparison to what he gained in Christ. The apostle’s example is not lost on us today, even though we live two thousand years after he did: whatever we must give up to be “in Christ” is worth it when compared to the spiritual benefits we gain. Joe |
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