Monthly Archives: April 2025

Bible, Citizen, Conduct, Gospel, Heaven, Scripture, Testimony

WHETHER PRESENT OR ABSENT

PHILIPPIANS 1:27

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

I have shared before that years ago I worked for about six months at Walmart on their third shift (10 pm – 6 am). On that shift my job was to unload the trucks that arrived and stock shelves. It was a part-time job, but one I kind of enjoyed. A number of the employees, however, didn’t share the same attitude. They would look busy when the boss came by but would find places to hide and sleep or just goof off.

Paul wasn’t the Philippian believers’ boss, but he expected them to do the right thing whether he was present or absent. This verse is one we should all take to heart because He is coming soon. Amen? We need to be doing these same things today. Paul uses a Greek word here for “conduct yourselves” that is only used one other time in Acts 23:1 (we’ll see that in a minute). The word is politeuomai which means to live as a citizen. Let’s explore that.

APPLICATION

To live as a citizen means to live by the rules and laws of that city or country. One problem with illegal immigration is that they begin their life in the U.S. by breaking our laws. Now, don’t send me letters and postcards. I am just stating a fact. Being a good citizen implies maintaining the standard set by your community. In the Philippians’ case, Paul was exhorting them to live up to the standards set by Jesus.

In Acts 23:1, Paul is talking in his defense before the chief priests and the Jewish council. “Now looking intently at the Council, Paul said, ‘Brothers, I have lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.’” The phrase “have lived my life” is politeuomai. Paul had nothing to be ashamed of. He was living to please the Lord, not men. He was being a good citizen of heaven.

Are you living as a good citizen of heaven right now? Today is Easter Sunday. We have much to celebrate. Amen? We have the opportunity today to live in such a way that all those CEO (Christmas Easter Only) church goers that are in church today will marvel at our attitudes and worship. Live in such a way that the light of Jesus draws them like a moth to a streetlight. He is Risen!

O Lord, shine through me in every are of my life so that no matter where I am people will know that I am a citizen of heaven.

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Bible, Boasting, Jesus, Pride, Scripture

BOASTING

PHILIPPIANS 1:26

“so that your pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again.”

Have you ever known anyone who boasted about themselves all the time? They’ve done this or they’ve done that. They have gone here or they’ve gone there. They make so much money. You know what I mean. Braggarts can get on your last nerve. But not all boasting is bad, as we shall see today. There are some things we should boast about.

I bet Paul was a braggart before he came to Christ. In fact, he says as much later in this letter – “although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason:” (3:4) Pharisees weren’t particularly known for their humility. So why would Paul talk about boasting and pride?

APPLICATION

Paul was telling the Philippians that their pride should be in Christ. The word “pride” is kauchéma which can be used both positively and negatively. There is nothing wrong with being proud of what the Lord has done in our lives or the lives of others. We are boasting in Him, not us. That is what Paul is pointing to. He is saying when he is released and returns to them, they should boast only in Jesus.

I love how Paul uses this word in his second letter to the Corinthians. 1:14 says this, “just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, on the day of our Lord Jesus.” We rejoice or show our pride in each other. If we did more of that, there would be less envy and jealousy among us. Don’t you think?

What are you boasting in today? Your stock portfolio? Your family? Your job and position? We should only boast in Jesus and what He has done in our lives or the lives of others. We know that pride comes before the fall, right. Negative boasting or pride can be our downfall. Let’s keep our boasting pointed toward heaven.

Father, forgive me when I fall back into that trap of boasting about myself. Let me only boast in You.

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Bible, Continue, Gospel, Jesus, Ministry, Scripture

CONTINUING

PHILIPPIANS 1:25

“Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,”

I have had some experiences that required me to continue doing something that was difficult. I had been given a task and couldn’t quit until the job was done. I remember one job in particular. I had to shovel out a grain bin that had gotten water in it and the corn near the bottom had rotted. That grain bin had to be shoveled out into the auger and allowed to dry completely so new corn kernels could be dumped in. Oh, did I say this was in South Georgia in August?

Paul wasn’t shoveling grain, but he was trudging through some very difficult times of ministry. He was on house arrest and guarded by a Roman guard at all times. Yet, he knew his life would not end there. The Lord had given him a task to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. He wasn’t finished, and he was convinced God would free him to continue on. Why? For their “progress and joy in the faith.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word here for “continue” is parameno. “It implies steadfastness and persistence, often in the context of faith, relationships, or circumstances.” (Strong’s Lexicon) What are you steadfast about? Can you say that about your faith? God has given each of us a task to spread the Gospel. Our task is not much different than Paul. The world still needs to hear about Jesus, and God still uses people to do that.

This word parameno is used by James in James 1:25. “But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does.” We must continue in the Word. Only by doing that can we walk in freedom and share the good news of Jesus.

Paul was sure he would continue on in his ministry. He had no idea how he would escape the chains he was in right then, but his confidence did not waiver. I want to urge you, beloved, to have that same confidence. God is not done with you yet. He has a wonderful plan for your life and wants to use you for His kingdom work. Continue on!

Lord, give me the peace that passes understanding as I trust You to continue using me for Your work.

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Bible, Jesus, Others, Sacrifice, Scripture

FOR YOUR SAKES

PHILIPPIANS 1:24

“yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes.”

Part of being a parent or grandparent is choosing to do things for others. Take for example, my wife and I felt led by the Lord to move to Knoxville from Chattanooga last year. Chattanooga has been our home for much of our married life. We have a lot of friends there, a great home church and thousands of memories. But when our daughter asked us to move to Knoxville to help care for our grandson when he arrived, we did – for her sake.

Paul was prepared to die for Christ, but here in today’s verse he comes to his conclusion. God wanted him to stay here and continue preaching the Gospel. Paul says it “is more necessary.” Strong’s Lexicon defines the Greek word there this way. “The Greek word ἀναγκαῖος (anagkaios) is used to describe something that is necessary or essential. It conveys the idea of something that is required or indispensable, often in the context of fulfilling a duty or meeting a need.” Paul was fulfilling his duty as an apostle of Christ and putting his own desires behind him.

APPLICATION

Paul uses another phrase in today’s verse, “for your sakes,” that I find quite interesting. He uses it in 2 Corinthians 2:10 when he writes, “But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ,” Doing for others. All of Paul’s Christian life was about that. His needs came second or third, never first.

We see John using “for your sakes” when he describes the scene surrounding Lazarus’ death. In John 11:14-15 we read, “14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, ‘Lazarus died, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let’s go to him.’” What seemed cruel and insensitive (not running to heal Lazarus when He first heard he was sick) was an intentional act to help the disciples see Who He really was.

What have you done this week for the sake of someone else? I was getting into my truck the other day at Walmart when I noticed an elderly lady pushing her cart towards her car. It was raining and she was trying push the cart and hold her umbrella in some rather windy conditions. So, what did I do? I drove off. Just kidding. I jumped out and asked if I could help. She very timidly accepted my help. That was done for her sake. What will you do today?

Father God, forgive me when I pursue my own desires above others. Give me Your heart for the sake of others.

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Bible, Listening, Obedience, Pressure, Scripture

HARD-PRESSED

PHILIPPIANS 1:23

“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;”

No one likes to be pressured to do anything. At least I don’t. I have to admit that I am pretty stubborn sometimes. If I am told that I have to do something, I might just find a way not to do it. I also get a picture in my head of a full court press in basketball. That is when the team playing defense pressures the team with the ball all the way down the court, hoping to cause a turnover. Pressure isn’t comfortable.

Paul was being “hard-pressed” by the two choices before him. He had such a desire to go on to glory, but he also felt he was still needed on earth. Going to heaven would be more pleasurable and pain free. Staying on earth would not be. He knew that. But he also knew the choice really wasn’t his to make. God would make that choice according to what was best for Paul.

APPLICATION

The word used by Paul for “hard-pressed” is the same word used in Luke 8:45 when Jesus was crowded on the street right before He healed the woman with the issue of blood. People were all over Him. So, Paul is saying in today’s verse that these two possible choices were crowding his mind. He felt the pressure emotionally and spiritually. This can be draining.

Have you ever felt that way? What did you do? We all face decisions, some more than others. Fortunately, my wife and I have learned a few things over the almost four decades of living together. Minor decisions are not worth the effort to worry about. We have both begun to see decisions from an eternal perspective. Do we always choose correctly? Nope! But we sure listen more closely to the Lord when we do make that wrong choice.

God will use the pressures of this life to constrain us or “hard-press” us. All pressure is not bad. You must consider the source of the pressure. If you are feeling the pressure right now, ask the Lord about it. He will let you know if it’s from Him or not. 1 Peter 4:19 says, “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

Lord, I trust You to pressure me in order to guide me and lead me in the way in which I need to go.

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Bible, Fruit, Heaven, Ministry, Scripture

DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

PHILIPPIANS 1:22

“But, if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me, and I do not know which to choose.”

I have been a decision maker for quite some time now. As my ministry progressed, I was given more and more decisions to make. Some big and some small, but all were decisions that had to be made by me. “The buck stops here” is really true if you are in leadership.

Paul was torn between the desire to continue to minister, even though that meant being held in a prison, and the desire to be called on to heaven. Paul had “tasted” a little bit of heaven before (read 2 Corinthians 12:4). He was looking forward to his heavenly reward, yet he still had more work to do.

APPLICATION

If you were given the choice to either stay here and continue to labor for the Lord or go on to heaven, what would you choose? Staying here for your kids or grandkids is admirable. No one wants to leave them behind, especially before knowing they are secure in the Lord. But our reason for staying needs to go beyond just our families. What has the Lord called you to do?

Look what Paul says here. He says living “will mean fruitful labor.” In other words, if he is alive he can continue to live out John 15:16 which says, “…and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit…” We are called to bear fruit. Paul had never forgotten his calling to reach the Gentiles. He wasn’t done yet.

Stop being so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. Look around you. How can God use you today to produce fruit that will last for His kingdom? When it’s time to go to heaven, He’ll call you. I say often that I am immortal until God calls me home. He knows the number of my days. Until then I want to be used by Him. How about you?

Father, use me up to my last breath to produce fruit for Your kingdom.

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Bible, Christ, Death, Life, Scripture

LIFE AND DEATH

PHILIPPIANS 1:21

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

This verse has a special place in my heart. My wife and I had the verse reference inscribed on our daughter Cathleen’s headstone. Cathleen only lived six hours and died back on 9/11/87. We did not lose a child. We know exactly where she is. And one day when her mom and I get to heaven, she will introduce us to Jesus (rather than the other way around). She is not dead. She is fully alive!

Paul was ready to die for Christ. He was trusting in His all sufficient mercy and grace to release him from prison. But if not, he was ready to die. God did indeed have mercy, and Paul was released after two years of his house arrest imprisonment. Of course, we know Paul was arrested a second time and was martyred sometime in A.D. 66. Paul was ready to live or die for Christ.

APPLICATION

Most, if not all, of you reading this blog today will not have to make the decision to live or die for Christ. What exactly does it mean for us then? What did Paul mean when he said, “to live” and “to die” for Christ? First, Paul says “to live is Christ.” His reason for living was to glorify Christ. Albert Barnes gives four purposes for Paul’s living for Jesus. “1) a purpose to know as much of Christ as it was possible to know, 2) a purpose to imitate Christ, 3) a purpose to make his religion known, as far as possible, among mankind, and 4) it was a purpose to enjoy Christ.”

Then Paul says, “to die is gain.” Now, humanly speaking that makes no sense, does it. We tend to see death as final. We even say someone has “checked out” when they die. But Paul saw it differently. The word “gain” is kerdos and it means a profit or advantage. Paul knew all he had invested in this life would produce a profit – eternal life with Christ. Who could ask for more?

While we are here, we should live every day with a purpose (as Barnes mentioned above). We should seek to glorify the only One worthy of glory. And then when the day comes to “cash in our chips” we should lay it all down without pause. We are about to enter our reward. To live or die – it’s all for Christ!

Father God, give me the courage and peace to live or die for Christ each and every day.

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Ashamed, Bible, Boldness, Freedom, Jesus, Scripture

NOT ASHAMED

PHILIPPIANS 1:20

“according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Feeling ashamed for something you have done wrong is normal. I won’t begin to tell you about the things I have done in the past that were shameful. Some of those things might curl your hair. My BC (Before Christ) days were not exactly things I want to talk about. I try my best, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to avoid shameful behavior today. Sometimes, however, I will say or do something that makes me feel ashamed. Let’s see what Paul was saying about this in today’s verse.

Paul was not ashamed of his life there in that prison. He was actually still doing what he was imprisoned for – preaching Jesus. The verb used here, “be put to shame,” is the Greek word aischunó which in only used five times in the New Testament. In four of the five times, it is used like it is here in Philippians, in a negative reference. The other time is in Luke 16:3 in the story about the unrighteous steward. The steward says he was “ashamed to beg.” Elsewhere, we are told to “not be ashamed.”

APPLICATION

In 2 Corinthians 10:8, Paul says, “For if I boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,” Paul would never feel ashamed because of what the Lord had called him to do. Nor should we, no matter what that is. Perhaps the Lord has called you to sweep streets. Then be the best street sweeper in the world for the glory of Jesus.

Peter uses this word in 1 Peter 4:16 as he is discussing the privilege we have in suffering for Jesus. “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” We are to glorify God in the midst of the suffering. That sounds crazy, I know, but that is exactly what our attitude should be.

We see aischunó used once more in 1 John 2:28. “Now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not draw back from Him in shame at His coming.” We should be walking with Him in such a way that no matter what we are doing when He appears, we will not be ashamed. Is that you? Are you living unashamed? Let Jesus rid you of any shame you are feeling today and walk in victory.

Father, I am thankful for the freedom I have from shame. You have cleansed me and made me unashamed in Christ.

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Bible, Deliverance, Prayer, Scripture, Trust

THE EFFECT OF PRAYER

PHILIPPIANS 1:19

“for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”

We have probably all heard testimonies about how someone prayed for something, and God answered their prayer. We have also heard from people who said God never answers their prayers. Which is it? Does God always answer our prayers? Is He really listening? Psalm 5:3 answers that pretty clearly. “In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”

Paul is stating a fact in today’s verse, not just dreaming about what he wishes would happen. He said, “I know.” The Greek verb there, oida, is in the Perfect tense. That is important because it meant this was a past event that has lasting results. Paul knew from his past knowledge of prayer that this would end exactly the way God intended. He believed he would be delivered or rescued from his present circumstances. Why? Because of the Philippians’ prayers for him.

APPLICATION

I could give you dozens of examples of answered prayers in my life. That does not make me more spiritual. It just means I have learned to look for the answer when I pray. Does God always answer my prayers? Yes. Sometimes it is a yes. Other times it is a no, and most of the time He says, “Not now.” But God has always answered my sincere attempts to hear from Him. I am a slow learner, though. He often has to repeat His answer several times for me to hear it.

These prayers that were being offered up were specific prayers. The Greek word there is deésis. This word “is used to describe prayers that are specific and fervent, often in the context of seeking divine intervention or assistance.” (Strong’s Lexicon). Don’t pray flippant and non-specific prayers. Pray exactly. Pray intently. Pray fervently.

Your prayers can change things. Does it change God’s mind? No, it is meant to change our hearts to see things God’s way. Our prayers for others are meant to draw us closer to Him. As we beseech God for someone’s salvation or healing, we are coming before the One who has the power to answer. Pray and trust. Read Psalm 5:3 again. Practice this daily.

O Lord, I know You are listening and are intent on meeting my deepest needs.

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Bible, Gospel, Motive, Rejoicing, Scripture, Truth

REJOICE IN CHRIST

PHILIPPIANS 1:18

“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. But not only that, I also will rejoice,”

Sometimes people’s motives for doing something is outweighed by the result they have. Case in point – today’s verse. We’ll get there in a second or two. “The end justifies the means” is NOT what Paul is saying here. That is an unbiblical statement. We can’t do anything we want any way we want as long as we point to God. I could name examples I know about, but I shall refrain from doing so. That in itself would do exactly what I am saying we should not do.

Many scholars say this about what Paul says here. “Of course, this rejoicing does not refer to the impure intention of the preachers, but to the objective result.” These Jewish believers in question were preaching Jesus but were holding the Gentiles to the Mosaic Laws regarding festivals and ordinances. They were attempting to “steal away” Paul’s followers and build their own. BUT they were preaching Jesus as the Messiah Who had come to save all mankind. For that, Paul is rejoicing.

APPLICATION

Matthew, Mark and Luke all use the word for “pretense” when they quoted Jesus as He taught against the Pharisees and Scribes. Luke 20:46-47 says, “46 ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love personal greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.’” (See also Matthew 23:14 and Mark 12:38-40)

Notice Jesus wasn’t condemning their prayers. He was condemning their motives for the prayers. Perhaps there were those in the synagogues who were moved by their prayers, the mentioning of the name of Yahweh or the recitation of God’s Word in their prayers. Jesus didn’t say they shouldn’t pray. He warned of their motives.

How can we apply this to our lives? Don’t judge the eternal results of someone’s ministry. That’s for God to decide. We should be careful whom we support to ensure they are not teaching false doctrine or anything that would lead someone away from Christ. We have way too many Christian denominations with way too many traditions and teachings. Not all line up with the Word. But if someone of another denomination leads someone to Jesus, let’s celebrate that. Let’s rejoice in Christ as Paul did.

Father, help me ensure that I focus on the eternal results of anything I teach about Jesus.

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