Joyful Living Devotional - Day 32
Day 32 Be Careful Who You Follow!
Philippians 3:17-19 (NLT) 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
Throughout his letter to the Philippians, we sense Paul’s caring heart toward the church in Philippi. As with all the churches, Paul desires that they grow to maturity in Christ. He warns them not to be diluted by mixing the law with the grace of God. As the apostle who planted the church in Philippi, he felt the responsibility as a father in the faith to watch over and instruct them, even though he was not with them.
He strongly urged them to follow the example of Christ Jesus and even held up Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of what it means to be faithful and fruitful in God’s kingdom. Paul tells them to pattern their lives after him and to learn from those who follow that example. This is not a statement of arrogance but of true humility. Paul knows he is following Jesus’ example. He writes something very similar to the church in Corinth: “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT). He is not simply bragging about living right, he is exposing false philosophies that are trying to creep into the church.
Just as at the beginning of this chapter, where we see his warning about the Judaizers, he warns the Philippians to be careful about whom they listen to. That is why he holds himself up as the example to be followed and imitated. He calls them enemies of the cross, headed for destruction, whose god is their appetite or belly. These people are locked into this life, seeking whatever pleasure they can, no matter how shameful. They do this even at the expense of the cross. They use their liberty in Christ as a cover for their fleshly lusts. We are not exactly sure who they were, whether they were apostate itinerant teachers or so-called nominal believers. However, as Paul writes this warning to the Philippians, he has tears in his eyes because these people are enemies of the cross and headed for ultimate destruction.
The warning is clear: Be careful whom you follow. With tears, Paul warns the believers in Philippi, "Don’t fall for philosophies void of God’s power to save, that deny the reality of the cross, that call good evil and evil good, that exchange the image of God for idols.” We would do well to heed that same warning in the society we live in, where everything goes. Watch out for ideas and philosophies that are more interested in appeasing the flesh than in nailing it to the cross.
“A whole new generation of Christians has come up believing that it is possible to 'accept' Christ without forsaking the world.”
– A. W. Tozer
Who are the people you pattern your life after? Who are the people you emulate? These are crucial questions that need to be answered. But an even more important question to ask is this: “If people pattern their lives after mine, what would it look like?” Before you protest and say the words of that famous theologian, Charles Barkley, “I am not a role model.” Think again. Can you tell people to emulate your faith? If someone were to follow you, up close and personal for a couple of months, would they be able to see from your lifestyle what a Christ follower should be?
If people prayed like you pray, studied God’s Word like you do, related to others like you do, served like you serve, cared for others like you do, connected with fellow believers like you do, did their jobs like you do yours, talked about others like you talk about others, gave like you give, and shared their faith like you do, would it express a vibrant faith worthy to follow, or a faith that, at best, is anemic and void of power? What does your conduct show? You might think, wait a minute, this is a bit harsh! Not at all. Someone must love you enough to tell you the truth. To follow Christ means to be all in. Jesus is worthy of all our devotion, not some of it.
“Most people want Jesus as a consultant rather than a King, and He does not come that way.”
– Timothy Keller
The longer you vacillate between being a passionate or a passive follower of Jesus, the harder it becomes to express your faith. Remember, your conduct shows what and who you truly love. But we must be careful not to rely on our conduct to bring about God’s righteousness. Our conduct is a response to what Jesus has done for us, and it causes us to want to do what is right! Religion is based on doing or not doing certain things, like I don’t eat this or do that, yet it is passive and heartless. But a relationship with Jesus is founded in His love, based on His love, and lived out through His love.
That passionate love will be evident in our conduct. We are not controlled by our appetites. We recognize the difference between good and evil, and we don’t just think of temporary things. So when others observe our lives, they see a true reflection of Jesus. Our lives are patterned after the resurrected Christ, and our focus is on pleasing Him. We eagerly look forward to His return, but that does not immobilize us into inaction. On the contrary, we love, we serve, we give, we relate, we connect, we influence, all to build His kingdom! We stay true to Jesus!
“If you have the smile of God, what does it matter if you have the frown of men?”
– Leonard Ravenhill
Will you consider your conduct and reflect on what needs to change? We all influence people. Whether that influence is positive or negative depends on us. Do you love Jesus enough to give Him your all? Then let it be seen in your daily walk and habits.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
Prayer:
Pray:
“Father, thank you for godly examples we can follow. I pray for my fellow believers that we would live lives others can emulate. I pray that we would be examples of faith, faithfulness, service, and, above all, love. Keep us faithfully serving You, and help us demonstrate through our conduct that You are our Lord in all areas of our lives. We want to live a life of passionate faith because You are worthy of our complete devotion. In Jesus' Name! Amen.”
Philippians 3:17-19 (NLT) 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
Throughout his letter to the Philippians, we sense Paul’s caring heart toward the church in Philippi. As with all the churches, Paul desires that they grow to maturity in Christ. He warns them not to be diluted by mixing the law with the grace of God. As the apostle who planted the church in Philippi, he felt the responsibility as a father in the faith to watch over and instruct them, even though he was not with them.
He strongly urged them to follow the example of Christ Jesus and even held up Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of what it means to be faithful and fruitful in God’s kingdom. Paul tells them to pattern their lives after him and to learn from those who follow that example. This is not a statement of arrogance but of true humility. Paul knows he is following Jesus’ example. He writes something very similar to the church in Corinth: “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT). He is not simply bragging about living right, he is exposing false philosophies that are trying to creep into the church.
Just as at the beginning of this chapter, where we see his warning about the Judaizers, he warns the Philippians to be careful about whom they listen to. That is why he holds himself up as the example to be followed and imitated. He calls them enemies of the cross, headed for destruction, whose god is their appetite or belly. These people are locked into this life, seeking whatever pleasure they can, no matter how shameful. They do this even at the expense of the cross. They use their liberty in Christ as a cover for their fleshly lusts. We are not exactly sure who they were, whether they were apostate itinerant teachers or so-called nominal believers. However, as Paul writes this warning to the Philippians, he has tears in his eyes because these people are enemies of the cross and headed for ultimate destruction.
The warning is clear: Be careful whom you follow. With tears, Paul warns the believers in Philippi, "Don’t fall for philosophies void of God’s power to save, that deny the reality of the cross, that call good evil and evil good, that exchange the image of God for idols.” We would do well to heed that same warning in the society we live in, where everything goes. Watch out for ideas and philosophies that are more interested in appeasing the flesh than in nailing it to the cross.
“A whole new generation of Christians has come up believing that it is possible to 'accept' Christ without forsaking the world.”
– A. W. Tozer
Who are the people you pattern your life after? Who are the people you emulate? These are crucial questions that need to be answered. But an even more important question to ask is this: “If people pattern their lives after mine, what would it look like?” Before you protest and say the words of that famous theologian, Charles Barkley, “I am not a role model.” Think again. Can you tell people to emulate your faith? If someone were to follow you, up close and personal for a couple of months, would they be able to see from your lifestyle what a Christ follower should be?
If people prayed like you pray, studied God’s Word like you do, related to others like you do, served like you serve, cared for others like you do, connected with fellow believers like you do, did their jobs like you do yours, talked about others like you talk about others, gave like you give, and shared their faith like you do, would it express a vibrant faith worthy to follow, or a faith that, at best, is anemic and void of power? What does your conduct show? You might think, wait a minute, this is a bit harsh! Not at all. Someone must love you enough to tell you the truth. To follow Christ means to be all in. Jesus is worthy of all our devotion, not some of it.
“Most people want Jesus as a consultant rather than a King, and He does not come that way.”
– Timothy Keller
The longer you vacillate between being a passionate or a passive follower of Jesus, the harder it becomes to express your faith. Remember, your conduct shows what and who you truly love. But we must be careful not to rely on our conduct to bring about God’s righteousness. Our conduct is a response to what Jesus has done for us, and it causes us to want to do what is right! Religion is based on doing or not doing certain things, like I don’t eat this or do that, yet it is passive and heartless. But a relationship with Jesus is founded in His love, based on His love, and lived out through His love.
That passionate love will be evident in our conduct. We are not controlled by our appetites. We recognize the difference between good and evil, and we don’t just think of temporary things. So when others observe our lives, they see a true reflection of Jesus. Our lives are patterned after the resurrected Christ, and our focus is on pleasing Him. We eagerly look forward to His return, but that does not immobilize us into inaction. On the contrary, we love, we serve, we give, we relate, we connect, we influence, all to build His kingdom! We stay true to Jesus!
“If you have the smile of God, what does it matter if you have the frown of men?”
– Leonard Ravenhill
Will you consider your conduct and reflect on what needs to change? We all influence people. Whether that influence is positive or negative depends on us. Do you love Jesus enough to give Him your all? Then let it be seen in your daily walk and habits.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
Prayer:
- Pray that your conduct be pleasing to the Lord.
- Ask the Lord to help you reflect honestly, without justifying or lying to yourself. Ask for forgiveness where necessary.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill your heart with God’s love and that you will be rooted and grounded in His love.
Pray:
“Father, thank you for godly examples we can follow. I pray for my fellow believers that we would live lives others can emulate. I pray that we would be examples of faith, faithfulness, service, and, above all, love. Keep us faithfully serving You, and help us demonstrate through our conduct that You are our Lord in all areas of our lives. We want to live a life of passionate faith because You are worthy of our complete devotion. In Jesus' Name! Amen.”
Posted in Joyful Living Devotional