Year Two, November 7

Walk in a Manner Worthy of God, Who Calls You1

The First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians is the first of his letters. He probably wrote it from Corinth, after he left Athens, and when he was joined by Silas and Timothy. Paul had planted the church at Thessalonica and it thrived greatly. However, it also suffered greatly from persecution. This is the reason he writes a lot about Christ’s second coming, it provides the richest comfort to persecuted saints. The portion we will read today gives us a lovely picture of the apostle’s depth of concern for the good of God’s people. It also provides us with a great example of how we should serve the Lord.

  

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. (If the preacher of the word is not bold and truthful he cannot expect a blessing. A person who represents the gospel must be faithful to carry out their responsibilities.)

5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. (Gentleness wins far more than harshness. Many will be led who will not be driven.) 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. (If we want to do good for others, we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves. Selfishness and soul winning never go together. Love is power. What are we doing for our neighbors? Do we have a loving concern for their eternal welfare? If we do not, then how can we hope that we are truly converted?)

9For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (The great goal of preaching is holy living. Listening to good sermons means nothing if it does not lead to this.)

13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved--so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. (The Jews had no love for either God or people. It is said that they would not even help a traveler of a different religion who was asking for directions. Their intolerance destroyed their humanity. Nothing hardens the heart more than religious pride; it is the death of love.) But God’s wrath has come upon them at last!

People cannot oppose the gospel without increasing their guilt before God. If they reject the Savior who saves to the utmost, then they bring on themselves God’s wrath to the utmost, and that must be terrible indeed. May none of us bring such a doom on our own head.

^{_______________}

¹ 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Year Two, November 6

Do Everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus1

Colossians 3:1-25; 4:1

1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

We are so completely changed by regeneration that we are dead to the old life. Our new life is in Jesus and we can no longer love the things of earth. Our heart is in heaven. Our life is where Jesus is, and until he returns we live a secret life that the world cannot recognize or understand.

5Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (To become a Christian is to begin a new life. New lives should have new clothes and new ways of living. The filthy rags of our old sinful living must never be allowed to dishonor and contaminate us now.) 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices (The heathen2 praise people for cleverly tricking others with their lies, but Christians abandon falsehood of every kind.) 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

12Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Delightful rule! How often it is forgotten! “Be thankful.”) 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus is the golden rule for all times, places, and actions. Life on earth would be like heaven below if this was always followed.

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. 4:1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

We are free from the traditions of others, but we are under Christ’s law of love. Let each one of us follow the principle that governs our new life in Christ. May the Spirit of all grace make all of us patterns to follow. Whether as parents or children, employers or employees, teachers or students; let us live lives that honor God and bring him praise.

^{_______________}

¹ Colossians 3:17

² heathen - In its lightest sense, it simply means an unbeliever. It is often used as a synonym for pagan, infidel, idolater, heretic, skeptic, agnostic or atheist.

Year Two, November 5

You Have Been Filled In Him1

The portion of scripture that we are about to read should be well understood and taken very seriously. It pleads for the purity and simplicity of the Christian faith and inflicts heavy blows on those various human additions that are wrongly tagged on to the simple gospel. We need to stand fast to the plain, simple gospel of Jesus; because to adorn it is to deface it, and to add to it is to dishonor it.

  

Colossians 2:8-23

8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (There are those who pretend to be wise and want to improve the gospel. They might as well dream of adding brightness to the sun or fullness to the ocean.) 9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, (What more can be needed? How can his gospel be improved?) 10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

We have all things in Jesus. We have no use for Jewish rites or the traditions added by the Roman Catholic Church and others. We are dead and buried to all of these. Our baptism teaches us that. By faith we are risen from all dead ceremonies into a new spiritual life, a life that does not need human ceremonies to support it. We should beware of those showy rites that many celebrate, but which deface the gospel of Jesus.

13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Christ on the cross has conquered sin and ended the ceremonial law. Let us not return to the bondage from which his death has set us free.

16Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. (We are free from all human laws that deal with holy days and fasts and ceremonies. They are mere shadows while Jesus is the true reality.) 18Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. (How plainly the angel worship of the church of Rome is condemned here! What have we to do with adoring angels when we are already members of a body that has a divine head?)

20If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22(referring to things that all perish as they are used)--according to human precepts and teachings?

Why tie yourselves with the world’s commands when you are dead  to all of them in Christ? Jesus gives you liberty, why put a new yoke on your shoulders?

23These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Human rules about celebrating different days and avoiding certain kinds of food appear to be wise and to promote humility. They may seem to work, but in reality they fail to do so. Christians are under the law of liberty and should refuse to be enslaved by man-made rules. We have only one Master and that is Christ. It is enough for us to obey his will and hold on to the liberty that he has so dearly purchased for us and so graciously given to us.)

^{_______________}

¹ Colossians 2:10

Year Two, November 4

Christ in You, the Hope of Glory1

Paul continues to glorify the Lord Jesus and to stir up his brothers and sisters to remain faithful. He shows how the death of Jesus has restored peace with God and one another.

  

Colossians 1:21-29

21And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, (The grace of God works in us to produce the highest level of holiness. To be blameless before other people is wonderful, but to be blameless before God is absolute perfection. This will be the condition of all believers when the Lord’s plans are accomplished in them.) 23if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

A necessary ingredient of true religion is reliability. A tree that is often transplanted cannot thrive. Since the gospel is the unchanging truth of God, it is extremely foolish to be lured away from it by the inventive teachings of others. Paul gloried in being a minister of the old unchanging gospel.

24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s affliction for the sake of his body, that is, the church, (When the Head is in pain the entire body suffers. The church must experience a certain amount of suffering and persecution in the process of gathering in all the Lord’s chosen. The atoning sufferings of Jesus were finished long ago. Jesus’ sufferings as part of the body, that is the church, are not for the atoning of sin, but result from our battle with the powers of evil. Paul was glad to receive his share in the suffering for the sake of the body of Christ.) 25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Paul again reminds the Colossians that his call to minister among them came from God, not humans.

  

Colossians 2:1-7

1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

To know Christ is the highest wisdom. However simple the gospel may appear, it is far superior to the wisdom of all systems of philosophy or schools of theology that teach new ideas about Christianity.

4I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

6Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (May the Lord allow us to do so. The gospel that has saved us is also good enough to live by and to die by. To turn away from the gospel would be throwing out fullness for emptiness, the substance for the shadow, and the truth for falsehood. May the Holy Spirit continue to lead us even further into the knowledge of Christ crucified. May we never in any way quit our sincere belief in the truth or stop being thankful for it.)

^{_______________}

¹ Colossians 1:27

Year Two, November 3

For in Him All the Fullness of God Was Pleased to Dwell1

In the letter to the church at Colossae Paul had to deal with many dangerous errors and troublesome practices. Therefore it is better known for its serious warnings than for those tender expressions that are so abundant in his letter to the Philippians.

  

Colossians 1:1-20

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

It is delightful to hear one servant of God praise another like this. There is far too little of this in our day. True soldiers of Christ have a high regard for their comrades and are glad to promote their good reputation. Paul praises Epaphras to the Colossians as his way of recommending that worthy brother to them. Anything less may have destroyed his influence on them and injured the cause of Christ as a result.

9And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

The Colossian church needed to gain understanding as much as the church of Philippi needed to achieve unity. They were easily deceived and led away from the gospel. We need to know the gospel well and hold on to it firmly, because there are many around us who will mislead and trick us if we let them.

11being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, (To work and to suffer, and to rejoice in both, is the unique mark of Christians. We need God’s grace for this and there is always an infinite supply to uphold us. Nothing short of the glorious power of God can create Christians or sustain them after they are born again.) 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Now that the apostle has touched this string we may expect sweet music. His expert ability is never so much at home as when he is singing the praises of the Lord Jesus. Listen as he exalts the Son of God.

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

If Jesus were not God the Son, then Paul’s language would be both ridiculous and blasphemous. What more could be said? Is not every word straining to describe the glory of the Redeemer? Blessed be his name. Jesus is everything to us. We adore him as Creator, Leader, Completeness, and Peacemaker. Let others say what they will about him; we will never stop singing his praises. Happy will be the day when all those in heaven and earth for whom the Savior died will join in one happy choir around his throne, united in one body through the atoning sacrifice. Even now we anticipate their victorious song and sing,  “Worthy is the Lamb.”2
  

^{_______________}

¹ Colossians 1:19

² Revelation 5:12

Year Two, November 2

Stand Firm in the Faith1

Philippians 4

1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

He pleads with these two good women to end their differences. Quarrels can have terrible results, even when they are only between two people, including these two good women.

3Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (We cannot have too much holy rejoicing. We are to rejoice and then to rejoice again. Let us see to it that this is done in this house all day long.  Only those who are in the Lord can genuinely rejoice. Are we all in him?) 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Do not be worrying, but do be praying. Prayer is the cure for anxiety.

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, 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.

Paul gives us a lot to think about. Take each word and study it, and then put it in practice. Every member of the family should learn this verse by heart. It is a big book on virtue pressed into a very tiny space.

9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I 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. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

14Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

Paul knew how to be poor, but he did not know how to be ungrateful. True ministers will work for the Lord, no matter how badly their people may support them. Yet it is good to treat them generously and win their appreciation, because their Master is pleased when his servants are treated kindly for his sake. What act of love can we do for our pastor at this time?

15And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

This is a grand assurance. God is the giver; his infinite glory is the storehouse. Jesus guarantees the delivery and the supply is unlimited. For what more can anyone ask? The promissory note from the Bank of Faith makes all believers rich beyond a miser’s dream.

20To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (So, with a fond wish this fragrant letter of love comes to a close. May more of the tender spirit that it breathes be found in each one of us.)

^{_______________}

¹ 1 Corinthians 16:13

Year Two, November 1

Work Out Your Own Salvation With Fear and Trembling1

Philippians 1:27-30

27Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. (Paul was very concerned that the Philippian Christians would be united in their zeal for the spread of the gospel and not back down because of persecution. The world looks on the message of salvation only in Jesus as being inflexible and the courageous saints who proclaim it as hardened heretics. But God looks on their boldness with favor.) 29For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

It would cheer the Philippian saints to remember that they suffered in good company. They were comrades with the apostle himself. We may rejoice when we are ridiculed for Jesus’ sake, because we are in company with the princely army of martyrs.

  

Philippians 2:1-16

1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, and comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Paul pleads with them intensely. He multiples his words. Love among Christians is so precious that he begs for it as if he were begging for his life. Let us never fan the flames of party strife, but always work to increase holy love among our fellow Christians.) 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is the divine pattern of love and self-denial. We should make every effort to follow his example. He is now exalted to the highest glory as the reward for willingly being humiliated. His disciples will also rise to honor by being willing to give up everything for his sake. We must stoop to conquer. The person who is willing to be nothing will possess all things.

12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (We work out what the Lord works in. The grace of God is not an excuse to be idle. It is a reason to be hard working! God gives us both the will to work and the work to do. Therefore, let us will with strong determination and work with fearless persistence. This is how we will fulfill the good pleasure of the Lord.)

14Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (We cannot be blameless if we complain and argue, because that naturally leads to sin. Our lights cannot shine if, instead of keeping our own wicks trimmed, we spend our time blowing out the lamps of others.) 16holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

We do not wish to rob faithful pastors of the reward of their labors. Yet that is what we will do unless we wholeheartedly join with them in spreading the gospel and do our best to live in holiness and Christian love.

  

_______________

¹ Philippians 2:12

Year Two, October 31

He Who Began a Good Work in You Will Bring It to Completion1

We have now reached the Letter of Paul to the Philippians. It has well earned the name, the Letter of Love and Joy. We see the apostle’s inner character in it. There was great mutual love between Paul and the church at Philippi.

  

Philippians 1:1-26

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

They were the most generous and faithful of the churches and gave the apostle great joy. Should we not all aim to cheer the hearts of our pastors by our enthusiasm and generosity?

6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

This delightful confidence is the crowning joy of the Christian life. If he who began the good work did not also carry it on we would be in a miserable predicament.  But, praise God, the work of grace is in the hands of one who never leaves his work unfinished.

7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The one thing the Philippians failed in was love and unity among themselves. This was on the top of Paul’s prayer list for them.

12I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (As long as Christ is glorified, Paul is content to forget his own troubles. He does not care about himself or what unkind purpose motivates others to preach the gospel. This is real Christianity.)

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

He hoped that the spread of the gospel would call Nero’s attention to his case and end his imprisonment one way or another. He cared little whether he was set free by death or was released to resume his work.

21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (He was even willing to stay out of heaven for a while for their sakes. Oh, to live only to do good! This is to live indeed.)

^____________

¹ Philippians 1:6

Year Two, October 30

Put On the Whole Armor of God1

We are about to read an especially beautiful passage where the apostle describes the believer as a soldier. The Christian is urged to prepare for the battle by taking up the defensive and offensive armor of God.

  

Ephesians 6:11-24

11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Satan will attack every part of us and therefore, like the knights of old, we need to be protected from head to foot.) 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

If we fought with humans, we might not need as much protection, but because we wrestle with clever and spiritual enemies, whose weapons are as mysterious as they are deadly, we need to be twice as watchful. Otherwise we might receive wounds in some unguarded place that will bleed for years.

14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, (A belt of honesty keeps everything in place and the whole soldier ready for battle. A dishonest person is a loose person and a loose person is a lost person.) and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (This will guard the heart. The righteousness of God is a gift from God. It will protect the heart and blunt the edge of Satan’s temptations that he aims at the soul. Note that a breastplate is provided, but no backplate. We must never think of going back, we must face the enemy, no protection is provided for a retreat.) 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (We will march with a happy, calm confidence because the gospel has given us perfect peace. We will march over the rough places on the way without becoming resentful or depressed. No pilgrim is so well equipped as the one who is at peace with God, other people, and their own conscience.)

16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (Faith, like a shield, covers everything and is therefore the most important. Look well to your confidence in God, for if faith fails all fails.) 17and take the helmet of salvation (The person who is truly saved knows it will protect the mind. The seat of thought and decision will be safe.) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (The Bible is a bright, sharp, pointed, strong weapon for offense and defense. It cuts a way for us through all enemies, kills sin, and chases away even Satan himself. “It is written” is the terror of hell.) 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (This weapon of all-prayer will often serve us well when all others are out of our reach. As long as we can pray, we will not be defeated.) 19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

21So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Paul concludes his letter with good wishes and prayers. Christians should be recognized even by their letters. Where others use empty compliments, we should abound in sincere prayers and holy wishes. Let us remember this the next time we write.

^{_______________}

¹ Ephesians 6:11