On Wednesday nights, like a lot of “traditional” Southern Baptist Churches, we have a prayer meeting followed by a time of Bible study—basically like what we do on Sunday nights but without the music. We have spent the past 13 months quickly working through the entire Bible, doing a broad overview of all 66 books, one each week or sometimes one for a two week span. This past Wednesday we studied Philippians.
The cool thing about short books is that in this study we actually get into more detail than we do with the longer ones like, say, Jeremiah. But I digress…
Philippians is a book that fascinates me on several levels. In my seven years of pastoring, I’ve not yet had to opportunity (or, “felt led”) to preach through it, though I have bookended it by preaching Ephesians and Colossians. One of these years I hope to get to it (maybe after I preach Hebrews, Ecclesiastes, and Luke).
Personally, Philippians is one of the most convicting books in the Bible. Especially for a very introspective guy like me, I read certain lines, think of my life, and am left with a stunned, “Oh…wow…uh…” I mean…
For me, to live is Christ to die is gain.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each one of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Do all things without grumbling or questioning.
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice.
Do not be anxious about anything.
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
How do I fall short? Let me count the ways!
And in 4:8 we find, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Think about these things.
Let that echo in your mind for a while.
I may have mentioned it before, but in seminary I worked in the library for three years and saw thousands of books pass through my hands. In the masses didn’t have time to see too much detail, but occasionally one would show up with a fascinating title or subtitle, or I’d have an opportunity to peek at a back cover and check one out for a read. One was a book on so-called Baptist distinctives. Of course, it mentioned the usual suspects: believer’s baptism, regenerate church membership, priesthood of the believer, and such, but it argued that not one of these was the true, central, Baptist distinctive. That honor belongs to division. We must always have something to fight about and to divide over.
Looking at most of the past and present activities of our denomination and churches I’ve been involved in, I must say it sounded like a pretty good thesis. But it’s not limited to Baptists. I can ask my Methodist, Christian Church, Assembly of God, and Presbyterian friends and get the same stories.
And then, it’s not even just a Christian phenomenon. Politics anyone? Social class? School cliques? Race?
Division isn’t a Baptist distinctive…it’s a fallen human distinctive. Our minds are so clouded with pride and other sins we think about a hundred things before we get to anything pure, lovely, honorable, and excellent.
Of course the Bible as a whole is contra our human nature past Genesis 3.
So for the Christian, if we are going to live in this world but not of this world, if we are going to let our manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, we must intentionally battle ourselves to set our minds on greater and better things.
Like any habit, it might be hard at first, but it will grow better with time, especially as a Spirit-empowered habit. But think of the difference it would make if we became known for thoughts and attitudes described as true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy…
How would it change our churches? How would it change our families? How would it change our schools? Our jobs? Our neighbors? Our witness?
It’s past due time we stop thinking like the world!
Primo!
” . . . if we are going to live in this world but not of this world, if we are going to let our manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, we must intentionally battle ourselves to set our minds on greater and better things. ”
Good words, Mike.
You ask the ancient question of all exiles longing for ‘home’:
“How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?”
Mike, in faith, the music that flows from us first and last, I think must be ‘Alleluiah’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt2FWAbXinY&feature=related
That tendency toward division is so strong in all of us, isn’t it? Look at the way we are about sports. What does it really matter who wins the baseball game tonight, but fans are passionate about it. I don’t care so much about this one, but at other times, I’m really bad with sports.
And politics. And everything else.
It is a besetting sin of blogging. There is a guy who I am now friends with who used to be one of my “enemies” on the blogs. We share about 95% of our theology and yet we fought so hard. It seems so silly now.
It is the Holy Spirit who works that unity in us. Excellent words, Mike.
“It is the Holy Spirit who works that unity in us.”
AMEN
I’ve often thought that, since Jesus stated that we must come to Him as little children, and that we are commanded to be one with Him, then our unity must be based on things a little child can understand. Sin, death, righteousness.
If we’re basing our unity on anything other than HIM, then we’re guilty of some level of idolatry, I’m afraid.
As we know, God is triune. His creation ought to reflect that. We should find differences in the New Community. The modern world has stressed uniformity. But we’re not collectivists. We know that diversity in unity is God’s nature and ours.
CS Lewis wrote that the amazing thing about so many theological and philosopical debates through history have highlighted the differences between groups instead of the similarities. Lewis points out that opponents agree in most ways, even to the point of agreeing that there is a dispute. They agree with one another against other eras and time periods. Dave, your comment about your former blogging enemy is very much in this line of thinking. Kudos to you and your friend for seeing the truth.
As it relates to both blogging and the passages in Philippians, I have my blogging forefathers to thank for some important lessons. You folks have mentioned several times the nastiness that happens on these sites, and have thus forewarned (and forearmed) me against falling into the same trap.
Now, if I can only apply the words of Paul to my off line life.
Good job, Mike.
Totally agree. I’ve come from the “sbcimpact” side to continue commenting. This will be my first here.
Our church is going through a book called, “Building Antioch, Your Role in a TRANSFORMATIONAL Church” and I have been asked to “facilitate” (a non-Spiritual Gift) the DVD. (Further comments on the use of DVD’s at another time and topic.) The DVD and book raised the question about discipleship (my present God-given drive) and what curriculum may have been used in this church to disciple the members. First, was the Gospel and then Finances, Worship, Missions and Problem-solving skills were identified. I was asked to present this question to the group, “Of the five listed, which one stands out to you the most? Why?” As the responses came back, I saw a pattern. Knowing these people and knowing some of the traites they express with their Spiritual Gift I was able to determine that the gifts in the body gravited toward each of these separately, making up the body of Christ. This is further evidence to me that the Holy Spirit is at work even though some of the ideals we seek are not particularly evident. I am encouraged by your comments to influence others within my association in the church to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.