Post by GinNJ on Feb 6, 2014 13:54:20 GMT -5
Philippians 1:1-11
"1Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including 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 offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
We are all a work in progress! Amen! And we don't have to wonder what progress looks like. Many quote Phil. 1:6...'that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus'...but do we know what to look for? What is God wanting to perfect in us? How do we know if we are on the right track?
Paul tells us in verses 1:1-11. If we are 'partakers' of the gospel and saints (consecrated) for God's use our love for the gospel will abound (to cause to make more) in an increase of knowledge and discernment (judgment) giving us the ability to approve (test, discern) what is excellent in order to be blameless (avoiding sin) until Jesus comes back to render final judgment on all of creation.
So, are we growing in knowledge and judgment? Do we feel that we have a greater ability to recognize and avoid sin? These, my friends, are the things that God is trying to perfect in us. These are the things that being filled with the fruit of Jesus' righteousness cause us to long for. These are the things we should look for in those we choose to worship and fellowship with and especially those who are church leaders. As Paul is doing with the church at Philippi these are the things we should seek to disciple others in.
And is is all for the glory of God! Amen!!!
Refiner's Fire
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within
"1Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including 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 offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
We are all a work in progress! Amen! And we don't have to wonder what progress looks like. Many quote Phil. 1:6...'that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus'...but do we know what to look for? What is God wanting to perfect in us? How do we know if we are on the right track?
Paul tells us in verses 1:1-11. If we are 'partakers' of the gospel and saints (consecrated) for God's use our love for the gospel will abound (to cause to make more) in an increase of knowledge and discernment (judgment) giving us the ability to approve (test, discern) what is excellent in order to be blameless (avoiding sin) until Jesus comes back to render final judgment on all of creation.
So, are we growing in knowledge and judgment? Do we feel that we have a greater ability to recognize and avoid sin? These, my friends, are the things that God is trying to perfect in us. These are the things that being filled with the fruit of Jesus' righteousness cause us to long for. These are the things we should look for in those we choose to worship and fellowship with and especially those who are church leaders. As Paul is doing with the church at Philippi these are the things we should seek to disciple others in.
And is is all for the glory of God! Amen!!!
Refiner's Fire
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within