Philippians 3:17-21
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
A couple of thoughts as we look at this passage…
First, when I was a senior in high school, my class took a trip to the nation’s capital. One of our stops was a visit to the U.S. Mint where they make money. This totally fascinated me. There was money everywhere. There were guards everywhere. I remember something our tour guide told us that has stuck with me since. He said that all money that leaves the Mint has to be checked by someone to see if there are any flaws. If there were, it would be destroyed. If it passed inspection, it went into circulation. He went on to say that a person had to have intense training in order to spot flaws. When our guide was asked how a person finds flaws, he said that during training, the trainee is only shown what is right and what is pure, or in other words, money that was 100% accurate. After several days and weeks of this, the trainees are shown money with flaws that should not pass inspection. Because of their familiarity with what is right and true, they are immediately aware that it is not 100% perfect.
Such is true of our walk with Christ. If we keep our eyes focused on Him we will be able to see what is impure and untrue. God also puts people, fellow believers, in our lives that are good examples of how to live a godly life. The other side of the coin is also true; people, especially our children, watch and follow our example. We need to be ever mindful that this act of sanctifying our hearts does really matter. We need to follow His example. This reminds me of the hymn, “Jesus Calls Us“.
Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying, “Christian, follow me”.
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store
From each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more”.
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love Me more than these”.
Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, Savior may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love Thee best of all.
The second thought in this text states that Paul, the Apostle, cried over the lost. That’s right, the defender of the faith who knew all the law, cried for those who did not know the One who could save them. They were enemies of the cross. Who are we if we do not weep for those who need Him? When was the last time you or I wept over the lost? We were lost once too! We must be compelled to see people through His eyes.
Note: Each day’s devotional is written by a different member of the GRC family.