Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 41

Paul Reminds the Church @ Philippi to Rejoice in Christ, to be United to One Another and to be always in Prayer

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. KJV

Paul reminds these believers @ Philippi and we believers today to make a conscience effort to rejoice in Christ Jesus our Lord, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) (KJV). The English word rejoice is translated by the Greek word chairo a primary verb meaning to be full of cheer, that is, calmly happy or well off. It is joy in Christ that makes us well off and at the same time gives us power for living to glorify Him as we sojourn in this life on earth as pilgrims since our conversion, away from our home in heaven. In the Old Testament, when Nehemiah led the people of Israel to finish rebuilding the broken down walls of Jerusalem, they found a copy of the Book of the Law of Moses that had not been destroyed in the assault on the city and read it before the entire people and this is what Nehemiah recorded, “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.’ For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’” (Nehemiah 8:8-10) (NKJV). Paul wanted their rejoicing or joy in Christ to be at all times, under any circumstances, and for their/our very spiritual benefit. There is in my opinion nothing that gives we believers more faith, hope, and love pouring from our redeemed souls than when we are full of the joy of the Lord.

Our Lord Jesus gave us the parameters for joy being full within us in John 15:1-11, for the meeting of these conditions only will flood us with His Joy. There is a song on one of my playlist by 10^th Avenue North that has these words in the lyrics speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Joy, “Your Joy is better than wine, it’s better than love, it’s better than life. Your Joy is where my heart sings, it’s where I belong, it’s where I believe.” Those of us who have basked or savored or relished Christ Joy deriving extreme pleasure and indescribable strength from said joy can say Amen to these song lyrics, knowing exactly where the author is coming from when writing such words. Note: “There is but one thing that quenches our ‘Joy in the Lord’ and that is our harboring unconfessed and un-repented of sin in our lives, as Matthew Henry says, ‘Joy in God is a duty of great consequence in the Christian life; and Christians need to be again and again called to it. If good men have not a continual feast, it is their own fault.’” Next Paul wants them/us to live peaceably with all men (even the two legged devils that are out to harm us) as he declares with these words, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5) (KJV). The English word moderation here is translated by the Greek word epieikes which means appropriate, that is, (by implication) mild: - gentle, moderation, patient. In other words, we cannot control what other men think of us or what they might do to us unjustly, but we can (by the Grace of God) control our response to their unjust actions to us, always understanding that the devil hates our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, therefore, those men and women who belong to the devil will certainly hate us, that is, we followers of Christ.

Dr. Macknight defines this word moderation/epieikēs this way, “meekness under provocation, readiness to forgive injuries, equity in the management of business, candor in judging of the characters and actions of others, sweetness of disposition, and the entire government of the passions.” This is not always so easily accomplished by us, but it is our aim, what we aspire to, and what we will be held accountable for by our Lord Jesus Christ, thus, the response by Paul of the “Lord is at Hand”, meaning He is ever or always judging our actions, as well as our reactions to the bad/evil things that men do to us without cause, as Paul said to the Roman believers with these words, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19) (NKJV). Likewise, we are not to be quarrelsome or argumentative with our brethren over matters that are non-essential to the truth of the Gospel as it must have been here with Euodia and Syntyche.

When we are overrun with anxiety or worry these things are not just bad, but they are sinful for us as believers in Christ, Paul says it to these Philippian believers with these words, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6) (KJV). The English phrase used here at the beginning of verse 6 “be careful” is translated by the Greek word merimnao meaning to be anxious about something or to take thought through the idea of distraction or having a feeling of excessive concern. In other words, Paul does not want this to be the disposition of these Philippian believers or we believers today seeing that we have Christ as our intercessor always and it was our Lord Jesus Christ Himself that said these words to the first disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25-34) (NKJV).

We are to pray about all things even though God the Father (as our Lord Jesus said above) already knows what we need. In our prayers to our Heavenly Father, we are to always begin with thanksgiving first for our salvation and then for our continual care while we sojourn here on the earth. When this is our constant temperament, tendency, and tactic, then we will be comforted by the peace of God as Paul declares here, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) (KJV). This peace is heavenly and cannot be manufactured by man with any methods, measures, or material resources. God’s peace is superior or higher than anything man can offer such as spa getaways filled with numerous activities that can give only a temporal relaxation physically, but can do nothing for the inner man or inner woman. However, the peace of God Paul says, “shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” and the tiny phrase “shall keep” is translated by one Greek word phroureo meaning to be a watcher in advance, that is, to mount guard as a sentinel (post spies at gates); figuratively to hem in, protect: keep (with a garrison). In other words, God’s peace is like a mighty army protecting us on all sides as the Psalmist declares with these words, “The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.” (Psalms 29:11) (NKJV).

“It is the duty and interest of Christians to live without care. There is a care of diligence which is our duty, and consists in a wise forecast and due concern; but there is a care of diffidence and distrust which is our sin and folly, and which only perplexes and distracts the mind.” Matthew Henry

“This peace passeth all understanding; it is of a very different nature from all that can arise from human occurrences; it is a peace which Christ has purchased, and which God dispenses; it is felt by all the truly godly, but can be explained by none; it is communion with the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, by the power and influence of the Holy Ghost.” Adam Clarke

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 40

Paul Reminds the Church @ Philippi to be Strong in Christ, to be of One Mind, Oneness or Unity and to Help One Another

Philippians 4:1-3 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. KJV

As Paul continues his descent into the close of this letter, he reminds these brethren how much they mean to him by saying, “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” (Philippians 4:1) (KJV). Paul begins by using the word “therefore” as the logical conclusion to what he has just written in the last two verses of Chapter 3 highlighting their/our true citizenship being in heaven where Christ is seated right now and the glorious glorified body that they/we will receive from Him at His second coming. These Philippians were Gentile aliens from the true knowledge of God when Paul first came into their city, but by virtue of his proclamation of the Gospel of Grace, God the Holy Spirit has translated them into the Body of Jesus Christ making each one of them sons and daughters of God forever, and Paul wants them to recognize his deep affection for them as well as his desire to see them again in person as he had already said earlier in this same letter with these words at the very beginning, “For God is my witness how I long for {and} pursue you all with love, in the tender mercy of Christ Jesus [Himself]!” (Philippians 1:8) (Amplified Bible).  

Paul’s joy and his crown was not in his earthly wealth or any other temporal things, but that these Gentile Philippians no longer were aliens or strangers from the One True God as he declared with these words to the Gentile Colossians concerning their conversion to Christ, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:9-14) (NKJV). With all of this in mind, Paul wants them/us to “stand fast” in Christ Jesus our Lord and this English phrase “stand fast” is translated by one Greek word steko which means to be stationary (not inactive) or to abide and continue, that is, (figuratively) to persevere: - stand (fast).

In other words, Paul wants them/us to understand that there is zero strength or power in each one of us, but “in Christ” we are supplied or equipped with His Power and His Strength for every spiritual battle we face, with our ongoing battle with the world, our flesh, and the devil (Romans 8:11) as he said to the Ephesian believers with these words, “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies {and} the deceits of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11) (Amplified Bible). Having expressed such compassion, care, and concern for them, Paul now wants to counsel or give spiritual guidance to two of the believers that were at odds with one another over some issues or personality conflict as he declares with these words, “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.” (Philippians 4:2) (KJV).

The English word beseech is translated by the Greek word parakaleo meaning to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, exhortation or consolation): We don’t know exactly if both of these believers were women or not, but what we do know from the text is that Paul wanted them to exercise the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) seeking to please Him in all things and letting non-essential matters not become stumbling blocks or causes for contention just as he beseeched the Corinthian believers saying this, “But I urge {and} entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony {and} full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions {or} factions {or} divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions {and} judgments.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) (Amplified Bible). Unity or oneness among believers is the entire theme of Paul’s letter written here to these believers @ Philippi. It is the disagreements, conflicts, and dissensions among supposed believers, i.e. varied beliefs among different Denominations and Churches (that all claim to worship Jesus Christ) that gives the Gospel of Jesus Christ a bad or poor reputation, however, this will never subdue the Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16) to save sinners, but it does cause seeking sinners to turn away for a time period or season because of the conflict they might witness.

Paul now exhorts and encourages them to what should be common to them/us and that is assisting one another where needed as he declares with these words, “And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Philippians 4:3) (KJV). Paul makes a personal entreaty or request to a particular person in the Church @ Philippi and calls this person “yokefellow” which is translated by the Greek word suzugos (used only this one time in the New Testament) which means co-yoked, that is, (figuratively) as noun, a colleague; probably rather as proper name; Syzygus, a Christian: Whomever, this person was, Paul trusted them and considered them to sincerely belong to our Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, he singles them out in his request to give help (whatever was needed) to the women from that Church who helped Paul get the Gospel of Christ out in their land.

Paul, like, our Lord Jesus relied on all Christians men and women to help him in the service of Christ. It was no secret that during this time of humanity, that women in practically every part of the known world were declared and treated as second class citizens, in some cases, they were even treated like slaves, therefore, Paul wanted this trusted believer to make a special effort to give these women help. These women were known by Paul to be genuine Christians and so he declares their names to be written in the Book of Life. This is God the Father’s Book where He writes in the name of every true believing soul in His only sacrifice for sin and that being our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul did not see this Book of Life, but he did see the regenerated, resurrected, and redeemed lives of these women who helped him get out the Word of God. 

“What a strong and faithful heart was Paul’s! Poor and despised though he was, he had both joys and crowns of which no hostile force could deprive him. He lived in the encompassing atmosphere of eternity, as we may. Surely these two Christian women could not have withstood this tender exhortation; and all his fellow-workers must have been heartened by the thought that their names were dear to Christ, and entered in the birthday book of the twice-born.” F. B. Meyer

“When the Apostle Paul went to a city preaching the Gospel of Grace, he only saw sinners like himself in desperate need of Jesus Christ and that included women. Paul like our Lord Jesus during His time was a liberator of women (even though he did not allow women to teach in the Church (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)). Paul was always and at all times instructing the women to teach one another as he declared to Brother Titus with these words, ‘Bid the older women similarly to be reverent {and} devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel {and} be teachers of what is right {and} noble, So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children, To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting {and} subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited).’” (Titus 2:3-5) (Amplified Bible). Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 39

Paul Reminds the Church @ Philippi where our true Citizenship is Located and of our Coming Glorified Bodies

Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. KJV

In complete contrast to those who are enemies of the Cross of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, Paul reminds these Philippian believers of who they/we truly are “in Christ”, what they/we truly have “in Christ”, and where they/we truly live (even now) “in Christ” as he says, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 3:20) (KJV). Paul wants these Philippian believers as well as we believers today to fully understand or comprehend the enormity of the transaction that was made between our Lord Jesus Christ and each one of us individually on the Cross of Calvary. Paul uses the English word “conversation” at the very beginning of this 20^th verse, which is the glue for every one of us as we continue our Christian lives on the earth; this word is translated by the Greek word politeuma meaning a community, that is, (abstractly) citizenship. The Blood shed on the Cross of Calvary for each one of us sinners at the moment of our new birth as adopted sons and daughters of God the Father also at that same moment made us citizens of heaven right now while and as we still reside on the earth as temporary citizens here as Paul reminded the Colossian believers when he wrote these words to them/us, “If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at {and} seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds {and} keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4) (Amplified Bible).

The idea Paul is here wanting to convey to the Philippian believers and what he wrote to the Colossian believers as well is that our permanent home will be in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ because death here will cut short our residency on earth as we know from those who have already died before us, therefore, knowing this should move, motivate, and make us direct our attentions, attitudes, and affections upward or to Christ where we will be with Him in glory forever. Unlike the enemies of the Cross who Paul declares to be insubordinate, idle talkers, and deceivers, corrupting and causing the downfall (spiritually) of entire households by teaching lies for the sake of dishonest gain (Titus 2:10-11), we are living honest lives not seeking or coveting another man’s money or goods, but instead “we look for” the Savior and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word apekdechomai meaning to expect fully. In other words, our trust that Christ will return for us causes us to wait eagerly for His second (2^nd) coming to the earth with great power and glory never being ashamed of Him or our salvation by and in Him or of any of His words (Mark 8:38), but instead declaring “thus says the Lord” on every occasion we have given to us getting out the Word of God as our number one business and praying always as the Psalmist King David did when he said, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” (Psalms 17:15) (NKJV).

We are citizens of an Eternal Kingdom not of this world as our Lord Jesus spoke of when speaking to Pontius Pilate after He had been arrested and handed over to the Roman Ruler, “Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’” (John 18:33-36) (NKJV). Someone has said of we Christians that, “We are a colony of heaven” and understanding the meaning of the word colony makes this statement all the more accurate; colony means a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state’s system of government. We are in this world, but no longer of this world as our Lord Jesus Himself said of us with these words, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19) (NKJV) and also these words of our Lord Jesus recorded for us by Dr. Luke, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:19-20) (NKJV).

It is a fact that we are not of this world and that our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life in heaven, but what is most to be looked forward to by us is the fact of what our Lord Jesus is going to do to these bodies of death that we inhabit or live in now as Paul writes with these words, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.” (Philippians 3:21) (KJV). The small English phrase “shall change” is translated by one Greek word metaschematizo which means to transfigure or disguise; figuratively to apply (by accommodation): - transfer, transform (self). The English word “vile” is translated by the Greek word tapeinosis which means depression (in rank or feeling): - humiliation, be made low, low estate, vile. In other words, our bodies were made low or weak or unsuitable after Adam’s sin and his sin is why our bodies of humiliation get sick and no longer function as they were designed, but Christ death (in a human body), then resurrection from the dead (in a new glorified human body) has done away with the body of our humiliation because He will transform our vile or morally reprehensible bodies into glorified bodies like unto His as Paul declared to the Corinthian believers with these words, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-45) (NKJV).

“Our spiritual resurrection now is the pledge of our bodily resurrection to glory hereafter. As Christ’s glorified body was essentially identical with His body of humiliation; so our resurrection bodies as believers, since they shall be like His, shall be identical essentially with our present bodies, and yet “spiritual bodies”. Our “hope” is, that Christ, by His rising from the dead, hath obtained the power, and is become the pattern, of our resurrection.” JFB Commentary

“Who shall change our vile body, Which is defiled with sin, attended with frailty, and is mortal; and being dead, is sown and laid in the grave in corruption, weakness, and dishonor: in the Greek text it is, ‘the body of our humility’; sin has subjected the body to weakness, mortality, and death; and death brings it into a very low estate indeed, which is very humbling and mortifying to the pride and vanity man: now this vile body, in the resurrection morn, shall be stripped of all its vileness, baseness, and meanness; and be changed, not as to its substance, nor as to its form and figure, which shall always remain same, as did the substance and form of our Lord’s body after His resurrection; but as to its qualities, it shall be changed from corruption to incorruption, from mortality to immortality, from weakness to power, from dishonor to glory, and be free from all sin.” Dr. John Gill

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 38

Paul paints a picture of the Enemies of the Cross of Christ to the Philippian Believers

Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) KJV

Paul is now beginning his descent toward the closing of his letter to these beloved brethren of his at Philippi, and much like a Commercial Airline Pilot makes the passengers aware that the conclusion of their trip is almost complete, Paul is now doing what he was most accustomed to do and that is to warn the believers in Philippi of men who appeared to outwardly worship Christ Jesus our Lord, but in reality were His enemy by saying, “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:” (Philippians 3:18) (KJV). Paul declares that there are many who walk a certain way. This English word walk is translated by the Greek word peripateo which means to live, behave, or conduct oneself in a certain manner or way. The question arises then; What manner of life did these many people who claimed to belong to Christ demonstrate? Well, we know that Paul, Peter, and the other Apostles saw the Majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ personally and were convinced that He was from God and in fact God Himself (John 16:30). This was the message of the Cross of Christ as Paul declared it to the Corinthian believers with these words, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) (NKJV). The fact of all the Apostles declaring that “God was in Christ” is the most clear, concise, and complete witness of the Cross to humanity. Therefore, Paul was compelled to warn everyone who truly trusted and believed this fact about Christ and the Cross of those who did not truly believe it and were still counting on and believing in some inherent, in built, integral goodness within themselves that could make them acceptable to God bypassing the submission to the Cross of Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is why Paul writes “I have told you often” and the English phrase “I have told” is translated by one Greek word lego (not the kid blocks), but a primary verb; properly to lay forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; In other words, Paul was determined to relate to the true believers “in Christ” through constant, consistent, and continual discourse by way of speaking (when he was in their presence) or by way of writing (as he is doing here in his physical absence). Paul was not naturally a man who would cry often, but there was one thing that would bring him to tears of sadness often and that was when he perceived that those whom he loved dearly were being deceived by the devil by way of his two-legged devils about the Person, Power, or Purpose of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as he wept over most of Israel for not seeing Christ as their sent Messiah (Romans 9) and also this example recorded for us by Dr. Luke of Paul’s warning to the Ephesian Elders, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole Counsel of God. Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of God Which He purchased with His Own Blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore, watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:26-31) (NKJV).

These many who are the enemies of the Cross of Christ because they do not believe in or declare to others the Christ of Scripture as we know today that many people do not believe in Christ Bodily Resurrection from the Dead or the fact that He (Christ) was born of a virgin or that He (Christ) is coming back again in His Resurrected Body to the earth to judge the world, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His Power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10). These many did not ever truly believe the testimony of Paul and other witnesses of Christ Cross and Bodily Resurrection from the dead, and in so doing these, “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” (Philippians 3:19) (KJV). When Paul declares that their “God is their belly”, he refers to them being of those who declare what we now know today as the prosperity Gospel; meaning that the God/Christ they worship wants them always healthy (in their physical body) and wealthy (in their wallets and bank accounts). Today we see this plastered all over many “Christian television stations or networks” where there are men and women duping, deceiving, and destroying the souls of countless unsuspecting men and women seeking the true God (Romans 16:17-18) with fables, fictions, and outright fabrications of the truth of the Bible telling people to sow a seed into their ministry and to expect a hundred or even a thousand/fold harvest to come back to them for their faithful seed.

In reality these men and women (charlatans) are the only ones prospering and they are overthrowing the faith of many sincere believers with their lies. I have detected over the years now of watching and studying some of these charlatans, that in using the Bible, they almost always stay in the Old Testament, only occasionally venturing into the New Testament to pull some verse out that has nothing to do with what they are declaring. They also dupe people to send money that they might receive a gift back from the minister such as a prayer handkerchief that they have prayed over and laid hands on in order that the person would receive healing from some disease or infirmity, this is all done (not that they care for the persons healing), but again to enrich their own personal wealth, for this is their God/money and earthly treasure, however, let us remember these words from our Lord Jesus Christ speaking about such men or women, “Then He said to them in His teaching, ‘Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.’” (Mark 12:38-40) (NKJV).

“You will likely never hear these charlatans teaching on these words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ when He said, ‘Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’’ (Matthew 16:24-27) (NKJV). These are the many people all about today who are teaching millions that God is manifested rightly by gaining the things of this world and not by loving Christ no matter what trials, tribulations, or trouble we endure here on this earth.  Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

“It seems, then, that there are professing Christians who are enemies of the cross of Christ. Not that it is always an open and proclaimed hostility; though, indeed, in the case of those whom Paul is thinking of, it would appear to have revealed itself pretty frankly. But at all events it is a real aversion; they would have nothing to do with the cross, or as little as they may. And this proves that the very meaning of salvation, the very end of Christ as a Saviour, is the object of their dislike. But in Christianity the place of the cross is central. It will make itself felt somehow. Hence those who decline or evade it find it difficult to do so quietly and with complacency. Eventually their dislike is apt to be forced into bitter manifestation. They begin, perhaps, with quiet and skillful avoidance; but eventually they become, recognizably, enemies of the cross, and their religious career acquires a darker and more ominous character.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 37

Paul Urges the Philippians to Grow Up into Spiritual Adults following after his Example

Philippians 3:15-17 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. KJV

Although the Apostle Paul understands that he has not attained, achieved, or arrived at perfection ‘in Christ’, however, he does see himself as no longer a ‘babe in Christ’ (1 Corinthians 3:1) as he did see the Corinthian believers by virtue of their actions. Paul sees himself to be grown up in his walk with our Lord Jesus Christ or in essence ‘spiritually mature’ in the faith. So Paul now calls on all those in the Church at Philippi to rise up and serve as flaming tortures to spiritual adulthood for those who are still spiritual babies needing their bottle of milk, by saying to them, “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” (Philippians 3:15) (KJV). Paul uses the English phrase ‘let us therefore’ at the beginning of verse 15 tying in this verse with the last three verses urging these believers to press on toward Christ growing up into spiritual maturity. This English phrase ‘let us therefore’ is translated by one Greek word oun which is a primary word meaning certainly or accordingly.

In other words, Paul is here reminding them of how he sees himself as not morally perfect as he walks with our Lord Jesus Christ, but he presses on or pursues after the moral character of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and he wants them to do likewise as he is doing. When he writes ‘as many as be perfect, be thus minded’, he is here calling on those who are spiritually mature to take initiative in the Philippian Church in order to teach, lead, and guide the others so that everyone will grow from spiritual babes into spiritual adults. The English phrase ‘be thus minded’ is translated by one Greek word phroneo meaning to exercise the mind, that is, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience): - set the affection on, be likeminded, be of one mind, be of the same mind. God will reveal to each person whether they are spiritually mature or not, in whatever manner He chooses to make every individual person aware of their growth level.

Note: “Paul wanted these Philippian believers and we believers today to continue on in thinking ourselves to not yet have attained unto absolute perfection and keep stretching forward after what we see of Christ Jesus our Lord as we read and study His character, actions, and mind set as revealed to us throughout the Gospels and those who think themselves to have arrived at perfection God the Father will show them (by His own way right for them) how far off the mark they still are in their walk.” This is exactly what the Apostle Paul was trying to do for the believers in Corinth in writing the two letters to them in order to see them grow up from babes spiritually into adults spiritually as he emphasized strongly with these words written in the first letter to them, “Brethren, do not be children [immature] in your thinking; continue to be babes in [matters of] evil, but in your minds be mature [men].” (1 Corinthians 14:20) (Amplified Bible).  Paul now writes, “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” (Philippians 3:16) (KJV).

Here in a nutshell Paul means that every spiritually mature Christian should have his or her main focus in this life our Lord Jesus Christ praying to our Heavenly Father through Him and seeking after or pursuing His moral character and desiring to see those who do not know Him come to know Him that they would be with Him forever in Heaven as we will, following after the view of the Prophet Hosea when he wrote this, “Yes, let us know (recognize, be acquainted with, and understand) Him; let us be zealous to know the Lord [to appreciate, give heed to, and cherish Him]. His going forth is prepared {and} certain as the dawn, and He will come to us as the [heavy] rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth.” (Hosea 6:3) (Amplified Bible). Our Lord Jesus Christ and His selfless sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary is the most important thing that has ever happened in humanities existence and what He (Christ) did for us and who He (Christ) is to us should be the most important thing to us as long as we live, for the Apostle Paul summed it up greatly when writing to the Galatian believers when he said, “But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah]. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and regulate their lives by this principle], even upon the [true] Israel of God!” (Galatians 6:14-16) (Amplified Bible).

Paul now lays upon himself a huge responsibility by exhorting these Philippian believers to use him as their example of spiritual maturity as he writes, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” (Philippians 3:17) (KJV). The English phrase ‘followers together’ is translated by one Greek word summimetes (this is the only time this word is used in the New Testament) meaning a co-imitator, that is, fellow disciple. In other words, Paul is not afraid to place himself as the example of a devoted disciple of Christ, spiritually mature pressing forward toward Christ’s moral character as a sprinter would stretch himself or herself out toward the finish line at the end of a 100meter race, just as he wrote in this manner to the Corinthian believers, “PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate {and} follow Christ (the Messiah).” (1 Corinthians 11:1) (Amplified Bible).

“The meaning is this, that though there might be different degrees of attainment among Christians, and different views on many subjects, yet there were points in which all could agree; there were attainments which they all had made, and in reference to them they should walk in harmony and love.” Albert Barnes

“What he desires them to copy is his self-distrust, his willingness to sacrifice all things to win Christ, his clear sense of his own shortcomings, and his eager straining towards as yet unreached perfection. His humility is not disproved by such words, but what is remarkable in them is the clear consciousness of the main direction and set of his life.” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 36

Paul’s One Goal is Moving Forward in Christ

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. KJV

Paul perhaps could have boasted much about the accomplishments that were directly attributed to him for our Lord Jesus Christ, thinking himself to be personally responsible for Gentiles in Galatia, Thessalonica, Corinth, Colossi, and Philippi hearing the Gospel of Christ preached by him, then coming to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. However, Paul knew himself to be just an instrument of Christ to spread His message of saving faith throughout the world as our Lord Jesus spoke of Paul to Ananias using these very words, “Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’” (Acts 9-13-16) (NKJV). Surely Ananias told Paul of this conversation that he had with our Lord Jesus Christ and with these words of our very Lord Jesus always on his mind, Paul sees himself rightly before Christ as being His vessel used for His work and that nothing is coming from Paul or by any power from Paul the Apostle, therefore, he now says to these Philippian believers how he sees himself before God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13) (NKJV).

Paul has purposed in himself to forget or to dismiss from his mind or to lose out of his mind the things which are in his past, this would surely include his past sins and failures, but it likewise includes his past accomplishments listed above done by our Lord Jesus through Paul’s very tent, house, or body. Paul sees every new day, week, month, or year as a mandate from our Lord Jesus Christ personally to him, to as he puts it here “reaching forth” and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word epekteinomai meaning to stretch (oneself) forward upon something. In other words, Paul’s mandate (and every Christians mandate) from our Lord Jesus Christ in our Christian walk is to be like a runner in a marathon race forgetting the sights and sounds experienced at mile 14 or mile 7 while currently running toward mile 21 including the accomplishment of passing the earlier miles as well as the pain experienced in the body during those miles, but instead stretch or extend one’s limbs or muscles, or the entire body toward the goal of reaching the final mile 26 and the finish line. In like manner, the Apostle Paul was stretching his spiritual muscles toward the spiritual mile 26 which would be his face to face home going meeting with our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven as he (Paul) witnessed Brother Steven have as he was being stoned to death by the enraged Jews as documented for us by Dr. Luke with these words, “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:54-60) (NKJV).

Note: “Paul refers to those things behind meaning everything, i.e. his years of ignorance before he encountered Christ on the Damascus Road, as well as all these years (30 plus now) that he has walked with Christ including his failings, faults, and fumbling’s, likewise all the good, generous, and great things he accomplished for Christ sake, his mission journeys, all the occasions he preached the Gospel, the Churches planted in Christ name (such as this one here in Philippi), and many more. ‘The Christian is always humbled by the contrast between what he is and what he desires to be. The eye reaches before and draws on the hand, the hand reaches before and draws on the foot.’ [Bengel]”. Paul being a student of the Old Testament before his salvation and even more so since his encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road surely has in his mind these words spoken by God the Father to the children of Israel when he said, “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.’” (Exodus 14:15) (NKJV) as he (Paul) writes this to the Philippian Church, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) (KJV). The Lord Jesus Christ is the mark that the Apostle Paul is stretching forward unto (and all of us as His followers) as the writer of Hebrews puts it with these words, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) (NKJV).  

“The goal of every one of us as Christians is the high calling we have been chosen for in Christ Jesus our Lord. While we are here on the earth we will never attain to perfection, but that will be ours when we see our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven receiving our glorified body fashioned like His, therefore, while we are still here on earth we must be as King David was when he wrote his desire saying, ‘One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.’ (Psalm 27:4) (NKJV).” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

“The nearer the saint comes to the perfect life, the farther he feels from it. It is only when we have climbed the foothills that we realize how lofty the mountain summits are. But there is no need for discouragement. We have eternity before us, the expanding landscape of truth is our inspiration, and the loving Spirit of God bears us upward on eagle’s wings. Our Savior had a distinct purpose in view when He apprehended us. Its full scope was only known to Him; let us strive that we may not fail to realize His ideal. We can do this best by forgetting past failures, past sins, and past successes, and pressing on toward the goal. Will not the prize be the Lord Himself? Let us always remember that God’s call is upward. This will help us when there seems collision between two duties.” F. B. Meyer

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…