Category Archives: Jesus

Bible, Citizen, Heaven, Jesus, Obedience, Scripture

REAL ID

PHILIPPIANS 3:20

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”

Here in the U.S., a new requirement has gone into place requiring every U.S. citizen to present a photo ID to board a domestic flight which can be a U.S. passport or the new state issued REAL ID driver’s license. I got my REAL ID last month. This new rule has been debated and discussed all across our county with many refusing to get that new ID. All I know is I was warned during my last flight that I would need it or my passport to board any future domestic flights.

Did you know we have to have the correct ID to enter heaven? Yep, no noncitizens are allowed. Hey, wait a minute Carl! I thought heaven was for everyone! Well, it is, but you must have your citizenship ID stamped to get in. How is that done? Paul states that in the verse – “a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” There is no other way in, no matter what the world may tell you.

APPLICATION

The word for “citizenship” only occurs here in the noun form. It does occur in the verb form in Acts 23:1 where it is translated as “I have lived my life,” and in Philippians 1:27 where it says, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” You see, our citizenship isn’t just the fact that we are now children of the King. We also must live like it, conduct ourselves like it.

Why do we think we can just say a prayer and say we are followers of Christ and live any way we want? Why do we think we can disregard clear teachings from His Word and say we are citizens of heaven? Citizenship requires adherence to the requirements of the land. Our citizenship in heaven does also. We must follow God’s rules and regulations.

Jesus says is John 14:21, “‘He who has my commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves me…’” I long for my heavenly home, but I am more concerned about how I represent my Savior down here. My conduct needs to reflect the One to whom I have pledged allegiance. So does yours.

I am thankful I am a citizen of Your kingdom, O Lord. Help me live in a manner to reflect it.

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Bible, Heaven, Jesus, Journey, Perfection, Scripture

I HAVEN’T ARRIVED

PHILIPPIANS 3:12

“Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”

I have some ministry colleagues who are leaving today for a trip to East Africa (Kenya and Uganda). I have made that trip more than a dozen times, so I know the grueling nature of it. It’s not just the plane rides and subsequent jetlag. It’s the layovers and delays. It’s the lost luggage and all the little things that can go wrong on the trip. So, when they reach their final destination tomorrow, I know they will be thrilled.

What has that got to do with today’s verse? Well, the word Paul uses for “become perfect” can mean “reach a final destination.” Some scholars believe that is more to what Paul is saying than claiming he isn’t perfect. No one can claim that, no matter how pious and holy they are. We can’t deny Paul’s spiritual dedication. He lived a life we should all strive for. But Paul knew he hadn’t arrived. He still had a long way to go to be like Jesus.

APPLICATION

It is true that the older we get and the more time we spend in the Word, the more we realize that we are still a work in progress. Our spouses don’t have to remind us of that. We know it. In Acts 20:24, Paul says this to the Asian believers he had called together, “‘But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.’” The word “finish” is the same word used in today’s verse for “become perfect.”

When you reach the end of your course, your journey with Christ, then and only then will you be perfect. You will have fully matured. You will have accomplished the task. Being perfect here is our goal for which to strive. Even though we won’t achieve it, we keep striving, knowing that with each passing day we are being perfected until that glorious day when we see Jesus face to face.

In the meantime, how close do you say you are to that perfection, to having arrived? Most days I don’t feel too close. Other days I could claim a little more. The only one worthy of judging my perfection is the only One who knows true perfection. He is my judge, not you. Nor am I your judge. Only Jesus sees our “Perfection level.” Only He can make us more like Him as we submit more and more of ourselves to Him.

Father, I want to become more like the Perfect One each day. Give me the hunger to know You more.

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Bible, Heaven, Jesus, Journey, Rapture, Resurrection, Scripture

FACE-TO-FACE

PHILIPPIANS 3:11

“if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

I do a lot of Zoom calls with men around the world. I say often that I wish I had invested in Zoom before Covid hit in 2020. I could have retired by now, lol. Zoom is great when you can’t meet face to face, but I still prefer that physical meeting. You can hide a lot of your body language in Zoom. Heck, you can even hide yourself by just cutting off the video. Or you can mute yourself. You can’t do those things if you are meeting in the same room.

Why am I talking about Zoom? Well, the word Paul uses in today’s verse for “may attain” (katantao) comes from two Greek words, kata and antao. It literally means to come face-to-face, to reach a destination. Paul desires to arrive at this point in his life. He is in prison. He is perhaps tired and weary. His spirit yearns for his heavenly home. I want to give you an explanation of this verse from Albert Barnes. I believe he explains it well. “Paul believed that all the dead would be raised (Acts 24:15; Acts 26:6-8); and in this respect he would certainly attain to the resurrection of the dead, in common with all mankind.”

APPLICATION

Katantaois used by Paul in Ephesians 4:13 where we are told, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith.” This attaining hints at our spiritual journey. It’s a journey we will be on until we are taken home to heaven. We will arrive or come face-to-face one day, but not now. Right now, we are trying to attain this unity.

Is there something you are trying to attain? Katantao can refer to a physical or spiritual journey. You may be planning a vacation or a holiday this summer. You probably have a destination in mind. As you make this trip, think about this verse and this word. You will attain your destination on this holiday, but you will always be seeking to attain your spiritual destination to the day you die.

Carl, are you telling me my spiritual journey is unattainable? In a way, yes, I am. We will not see Jesus face-to-face here on this earth. We may be one of the lucky ones who are raptured and will meet Him in the air. If not, we will meet Him the moment we die. Paul says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Are you ready to attain that? I am! Can’t wait!

Lord, one day You will take me home. I will attain the full promises You have made to me.

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Bible, Gifts, Jesus, Law, Righteousness, Scripture

GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

PHILIPPIANS 3:9

“and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”

Sorry to have to tell you this, but you are not righteous – on your own. Neither am I, not even close. My late brother-in-law who was a pastor used to tell his congregation, “If I knew you like God knows you, I wouldn’t bother to come preach to you. And if you knew me like God knows me, you wouldn’t bother to come hear me.” In other words, our flesh is wicked. If we only knew each other’s hearts, we would be horrified.

But praise be to God, He has made a way for us to become righteous. See, Paul knew the futility of the flesh. He even says in Romans 3:10, “as it is written: ‘There is no righteous person, not even on;’” This is a thought shared in the Psalms in two places, 14:1-3 and 53:1-3. They both say there is no one who does good. Paul points us to the only, truly righteous person who ever walked this earth, Jesus Christ. He is the reason God can declare us as righteous.

APPLICATION

Righteousness is a term we see all throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew words tsedeq and tsedaqah are used to describe the moral and ethical standards expected by God. Topical Lexicon says, “These Hebrew terms provide the Old Testament background for the New Testament understanding of dikaiosyne, highlighting the continuity of God’s righteous standards and His provision for humanity’s right standing with Him through faith.”

Dikaiosyne which is the Greek word for “righteousness” is used almost 100 times in the New Testament. This is an important word for us to understand when it comes to our relationship with God. Take a look at Romans where Paul uses this word over 30 times. Righteousness does not come through keeping some set of rules or laws. It only comes from God as His gift to us having received His Son as our Savior and Lord.

Romans 5:17 calls righteousness a gift. I love that. A gift is something I do not obtain on my own merits. It is given freely by the gift giver. In this case, Jesus gave us the gift of salvation, thus ascribing to us His righteousness. He took on Himself the sins of the world in order for us to have the privilege of receiving this precious gift. We have to accept it. He won’t force it on us. Have you received this gift of righteousness through His Son?

Father, I know I am seen as righteous in Your eyes only because of what Your Son has done for me.

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Bible, Excellence, Jesus, Scripture, Superior, Value

SURPASSING VALUE

PHILIPPIANS 3:8

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ,”

I remember my dad telling me two things to never skimp on – tools and shoes. I know, that sounds kind of weird. Dad believed if you bought a mediocre tool, it wouldn’t be long until you had to buy it again. But if you spent the extra money to get a good one, it would last you a lifetime. Same with shoes. My dad had an extra wide shoe and couldn’t just walk in and buy a pair in most places. So, he spent the extra money to order his from a shoe company (this was in the days long before Amazon). He knew those shoes would last.

Paul isn’t talking about tools or shoes in today’s verse, but he is talking about something worth so much more. He is talking about “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus.” The Greek word for “surpassing value” is huperechó. We only see this word used five times in the New Testament, three of those in Philippians. The word comes from hyper (beyond, above) and exo (have). It has the idea of excellence or superiority.

APPLICATION

Back in Philippians 2:3, Paul uses this word to tell us to consider one another as more important than ourselves. The phrase “as more important” is huperechó. That’s hard for us to do. We never want to put someone above us, do we? But if there is one thing I have learned through my years is to be humble costs you nothing. Haughtiness, however, can cost you everything.

And in one of my favorite verses (Philippians 4:7), Paul tells us the peace of God surpasses all understanding. There we see huperechó again. Of course, this peace comes in the midst of trying circumstances. He tells us not to be anxious. His peace is superior to our anxiety. His peace far outweighs any trouble we are facing.

What do you value today? Knowing Christ is priceless. Knowing Christ is superior. Knowing Christ is above all. That’s what we should all value. His worth will never fade. The cost of not knowing Him is far too high. And as is true about most things, we don’t value what cost us nothing. Knowing Christ will cost you everything – your whole life. But the payoff is literally out of this world.

I cannot begin to explain how much knowing You means to me, O Lord. Knowing You know me blows me away.

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Bible, Jesus, Loss, Position, Scripture

WHAT HAVE YOU LOST?

PHILIPPIANS 3:7

“But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ.”

I grew up in Southwest Georgia which is farming country. Most of the businesses in my small town depended on the surrounding farming communities in one way or the other. Farming is hard work and full of risk. I can remember more than one summer when the drought caused massive losses for some farmers. Depending on the crop and the timing of the rains, a farmer could reap a bounty or go bankrupt. These farmers knew the meaning of a loss.

In the last few verses, Paul has been touting his earthly position. If he had wanted to, he could have used that to become very successful in the Jewish world. But today’s verse is his true claim to success. The only thing Paul wanted was Jesus. He said everything else would be “counted as loss.” What did Paul mean by that?

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “loss” is zemia which is only used four times in the New Testament. Two times it is seen in today’s verse and tomorrow’s verse (3:8). The other two times it is found in Acts 27:10 and 21 where Paul is warning the ship’s crew they will suffer loss if he is not listened to. It’s interesting all four occurrences are tied to Paul. Paul knew about loss.

Zemia is a mercantile term that means a bad deal or unsuccessful business transaction which results in a fine or penalty (HELPS Word studies). Paul knew his past life as a Pharisee and all his claims of his Jewish heritage were indeed a bad deal in comparison of knowing Christ as his Savior. Nothing could compare. Christ was worth so much more than this world could offer.

What are you banking on? What are you willing to count as loss? What will you let go as you follow Jesus? There is nothing this world offers that comes close to what we have in Christ Jesus. No amount of wealth or prestige, no worldly success or praise! Only Jesus! Can you say that today? If you lost everything, if you are believer and follow Jesus, you are wealthy in the eyes of God. Live like that.

Father, I am thankful that my significance is not wrapped up in who I think I am. All that matters is who You know I am in Christ.

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Bible, Boasting, Flesh, Jesus, Old Self, Scripture

REASON TO BOAST

PHILIPPIANS 3:4

“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:”

I have my wife, two children, two in-laws, and five beautiful grandchildren. I have reason to boast. Three grandchildren came instantly when my son married his wife who had three children from a previous marriage. Then they had a daughter together. My daughter had a son about a year ago. Man, I am a proud husband, father, Poppy and Papa. I certainly have reason to boast, don’t I?

In today’s verse, Paul sets up the next two verses where he lists his earthly credentials and reasons for boasting in himself, if he chose to do so. He says, “I have more reason” to boast in himself. Remember, Paul had a religious legacy before coming to Christ. Many of those with similar pedigrees flaunted their status. Even when some of them came to Christ, they still boasted in their privileged position, not understanding how Christ negates all that earthly pride.

APPLICATION

Paul tells us we cannot put our confidence in “the flesh.” What does he mean by that? HELPS Word studies gives this definition of the Greek word, sarx (flesh). “…what is ‘of the flesh (carnal)’ is by definition displeasing to the Lord – even things that seem ‘respectable!’ In short, flesh generally relates to unaided human effort, i.e. decisions (actions) that originate from self or are empowered by self. This is carnal (‘of the flesh’) and proceeds out of the untouched (unchanged) part of us – i.e. what is not transformed by God.”

Did you get all of that? Flesh = bad, God = good. It really is that simple. Now, we are all stuck in this flesh while we live in these mortal bodies, but we do not have to be controlled by the desires of the flesh. My life verse is Galatians 2:20. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives within me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” My flesh died with Christ on that cross. It needs to stay dead.

We have to choose daily to not boast in our flesh. Sure, we can boast in our families and even in some of our own achievements. But we cannot be lured into the trap of boasting in our flesh and our own abilities. Boast only in Jesus. He has the power to sustain and strengthen you.

Remind me daily, O God, of the stench of my flesh so that I will not allow it to raise its ugly head.

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Bible, Boasting, Glory, Jesus, Pride, Rejoicing, Scripture

TAKE PRIDE IN JESUS

PHILIPPIANS 3:3

“for we are the true  circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh,”

I recently got a notification on my phone that I would have an IOS update (operating system). I normally look at what the latest update is supposed to do. Low and behold, one of the updates was for a new wallpaper theme for my phone, you know, those themed backgrounds. But this was one I was not interested in receiving. It was for Pride Month, a celebration of alternative lifestyles that I cannot condone. I will not be using that update.

Paul tells us clearly what we should take pride in – Christ Jesus. He tells the Philippian church that as followers of Christ we are the “true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus.” He goes on to say we “put no confidence in the flesh.” I don’t know how you could say it better than that. Jeremy Camp has a song I listen to a lot that has a line that says, “Holy Fire, burn away my desire, for anything that is not of You and that is of me, I want more of You and less of me.” That is Paul’s desire for you and me today.

APPLICATION

Taking pride in the right thing is a good thing. We often equate pride with being stuck up or arrogant. The quite opposite is true when we take pride in Jesus. The Greek word used here for “take pride” can also be translated “rejoice, boast, glory.” We see all of those in various translations of this verse. The word is used 38 times in the New Testament. But get this – it is used 26 times in 1 and 2 Corinthians. If I was a betting man, I would guess that church had a pride issue. Some were boasting in themselves or the wrong things. Paul kept pointing them back to boasting in the right thing – God alone.

You should really read 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 to get a full picture of the danger of pride in ourselves. Paul says it best in verse 17 there when he says, “But THE ONE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.” Paul may have had Jeremiah 9:23-24 in his thoughts as he penned this. Those verses say this, “23 This is what the LORD says: ‘Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.”

So, let me ask you today – what are you taking pride in? Your wisdom, your might, your riches, yourself? As Jeremy Camp said, “I want more of You and less of me.” I choose today to rejoice, to boast, to glory in Christ Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He and He alone is worthy of all our praise. Take pride in Him.

I glory in Jesus today, O Lord, and give Him all praise for what He has done for me.

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Bible, Danger, Jesus, Risk, Sacrifice, Scripture

RISKING OUR LIVES FOR JESUS

PHILIPPIANS 2:30

“because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to compensate for your absence in your service to me.”

I have never had to risk my life for Jesus. I live in a pretty safe place here in Eastern TN. I have traveled to places that weren’t as safe (shhh, don’t tell my wife), but I was always with people who knew the area and kept me from any harm. I have always said I am safer in the will of God than anywhere else. Amen? Don’t let your fears stop you from doing something that God has called you to do just because others may think it is not safe. Trust Him.

Paul recognized Epaphroditus’ sacrifice. He had left his comfort in Philippi, made a long and dangerous journey to Rome, gotten very ill (to the point of death) and was now homesick for Philippi. Because of all of these things, Paul told them in the previous verse to honor him when he got home. After all he risked “his life to compensate for your absence in your service to me.”

APPLICATION

God may just call you to a risky situation. I know a missionary who answered God’s call to go to Somalia with his family. He went obediently, and God blessed his ministry there. He was able to establish a working community for the Somalian believers. He is now working to return and establish an Every Man A Warrior group, as soon as it is translated into Somali. That’s a risky place to go!

The Greek word used here for “risking,” parabouleuomai, only appears here in the New Testament. It literally means to disregard wise counsel. I don’t think Paul was implying that about Epaphroditus. He was sent by the church and was being sent back by Paul. Yes, this trip to and from Philippi was probably not wise in the world’s eyes, but we don’t follow the wisdom of the world, do we?

Are you being asked to risk something for Christ? Perhaps he has called you into full-time ministry out of a very lucrative occupation. He may have asked you to step out and trust Him in a new role in your church. Whatever the risk, if God has told you to take it, you are safer doing it than remaining where you are in disobedience. Take the risk. Step out. Be an Epaphroditus.

Lord, You have asked me to do some things that others thought were crazy. But each and every time You have been faithful!

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Bible, Heaven, Hope, Jesus, Scripture

HOPE IN THE LORD

PHILIPPIANS 2:24

“and I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly.”

Hope spring eternal! That’s not in the Bible. It’s from Alexander Pope’s poem Essay on Man. The Bible, however, is full of verses about hope. We can’t live without it, but don’t need it once we die (if we go to heaven). I have hoped for a lot of things in my life. Some of them were probably not the best for me. Other things, like a healthy baby or grandchild, are definitely worth hoping for. Hoping for something is okay as long as you consult the Lord first. Hopes become prayers, don’t they?

Paul is hoping to go visit the Philippians as soon as he is released. He says, “I trust in the Lord.” The NIV says it a little differently. “And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.” The Greek word used there by Paul is peitho which is the root of pistis, faith. Paul had faith that he would be allowed by the Lord to visit Philippi again. Some scholars believe he did and perhaps visited Philippi a total of four times. I guess we will find out for sure when we meet him in heaven.

APPLICATION

What should you be hoping in? Please don’t tell me you are hoping to win the lottery! Our hope is not in the world’s riches or in anyone here on earth. Our hope belongs solely in Jesus. Paul said this over and over in his epistles. He was convinced in the Lord. In Romans 14:14, he says, “I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus…” Later in 2 Thessalonians 3:4, Paul writes, “We have confidence in the Lord concerning you,…”

If Paul could continue to have hope in the Lord and be convinced by Him, we should do the same. Think of all the trials Paul went through. He lists some of them in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. I won’t list all of them here, but some were beatings, stoning and shipwrecks. He is writing this letter to Philippi as he sits under house arrest probably chained to a Roman soldier.

Where is your hope? Who or what are you hoping in? Hope does spring eternal in the heart of man, according to Pope. But we know as followers of Christ that our hope truly is eternal. One day, when we reach heaven, our hope will be fulfilled. There will be no need for any more hope. Why? Because we will be in the presence of the hope giver.

Father God, let my hope always be pointed towards You.

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