Scripture:
Philippians 4:13-19
I can
do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have
done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves
also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left
Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but
you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than
once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for
the profit which increases to your account. But I have received
everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received
from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable
sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And
my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ
Jesus.
Insights: I
want to remind you of two words that were used in verses eleven and twelve
yesterday. In our English translation we
used the word learned for both of
these words. In the Greek language,
however, it is two separate words. The
one in verse eleven really does mean learn. I will address that part in just a
moment. The word used in verse twelve,
however, means initiated. So, let me put this idea together for
you. The reason we are able to do all
things through Jesus who strengthens us is because He initiated us into the secret.
This secret is available only to those who are a part of Jesus’ family—those
who have been born again by receiving Jesus’ gift of salvation through His
death and resurrection. This initiation
is the first of the three parts of salvation.
We call this part justification.
We are justified before God as righteous because of Jesus work in
us. Once we are initiated, however, we
must learn how to be content in
Christ. This truth is the second part of
salvation and we call it sanctification.
Sanctification is the process in which Jesus purges us of our old sin
nature and conforms us into His image.
The third part of salvation occurs once we have entered into eternity
with Jesus. We call that third part
glorification. Tomorrow we are going to
learn more about what life looks like when we have begun to learn these truths
from Jesus. Beloved, if we will humble
ourselves to the glorious teaching of Christ Jesus, we truly will be able to do
ALL THINGS for His glory because He supplies the strength to accomplish the
task. How glorious that will be when we
truly learn how to live life in this fashion.
To God be the glory!
Questions:
- Have you been initiated into the family of God?
- Are you being pliable to Jesus’ teachings regarding
contentment?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You
for teaching me how to live life inside out with You being the source of all
strength and sufficiency. Continue to
mold me into a person of faith who trusts You completely. Amen.
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