~ Christ’s Involvement with Today’s
Christian ~
The Book of
Philippians provides a variety of looks at the Christian’s interaction with
Jesus Christ. For each section of the
following outline I provide a few sample verses.
Chapter 1:
Christ as the Christian’s Life
(the Christian captured) ~ “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my
labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
For I am hard-pressed between the
two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I
shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that
your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you
again” (Philippians 1:21-26). This
is an inward look.
Chapter 2:
Christ as the Christian’s Role
Model (the Christian conquered) ~ “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with
God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and
coming in the likeness of men. And being
found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the
point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). This is a backward look.
Chapter 3:
Christ as the Christian’s Goal
(the Christian captivated) ~ “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss
for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all
things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for
whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I
may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is
from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness
which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His
resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His
death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have
already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold
of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have
apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:7-14). This is a forward look.
Chapter 4:
Christ as the Christian’s
Strength (the Christian controlled) ~ “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and
crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved
… Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness
be known to all men. The Lord is at
hand. Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:1, 4-7). This
is an upward look.
the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew
16:15). This is the most important
question you will ever answer. If you do
not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake
anyone can make!
~ Robert
Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE
NOW
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