"Better Christians"(Philippians 1:3-11)

Philippians 1:3-11

 The word "Christian" came from the Jews to distinguish those Jews who were followers of Christ. The early Christians did not yet have the New Testament or the gospels and had to rely on letters. One of the most prolific writers of letters was Paul and most of the New Testament is composed of his letters to the early church. He wrote many letters to the church for different and sometimes multiple reasons. In Philippians, Paul writes this letter to the Philippians to encourage them to continue to do their good Christian practices.

 There are three things we get from Paul’s message in this short passage.

 

1. Practicing love requires knowledge and depth of insight. There are many ways to show love. We can support missionaries and do not need to boast about it. We need to make efforts to practice better love and take some time to think how to show this love.

'And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, '

 Philippians 1:9-10

 

2. We need to make efforts to discern what is best in different situations. It is not always easy to know what to do. We have examples of Christians who sacrifice their families for the church. Surely, it is best to make sacrifices for the Lord and sacrificing time with our families is just one of them. The problem with this is that sometimes children are resentful towards their parents for putting the church before them. Also, as generations pass, new standards are created. So, what is best? Do we stay with old traditions, or do we change with the times? Whatever we do, we need to do everything for Jesus. Are we doing this for me or God? 

so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Philippians 1:10 ESV

Although there is no perfect answer, we need to put God first.  What decisions are going to glorify God? If you can be confident that the decision you made glorifies God, you are doing well. 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

3. We need to make efforts to bring fruit of righteousness. We need to make efforts to improve. It is not enough to rest on our confidence in salvation. We need to struggle to be better.  There are so many things that we cannot cling to in our new life, and we must remove them in order to be blameless. This does not happen immediately, but over time, a slow sanctification will happen.

so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:10-11 ESV

 

Let us make an effort to love each other more and put God first in all of our decisions.

 

2023-01-15 Worship songs

A Thousand Hallelujahs

The Steadfast Love Of The Lord 주의 인자는 끝이 없고

You Never Let Go 오 주 늘 함께하네