Philippians is the book of joy. It talks a lot about that subject, and much more. I am impressed with my wife. She has the "Philippian Hymn" memorized:
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,
but made Himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death --
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the Name that is above every Name,
that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."
That's quite a lengthy passage to commit to memory, but what a passage to have and be able to quote at any time. That's cool.
Complaining
There's a couple of verses that offer some sweet correction to me -- verses 14 and 15 (going into 16) of chapter 2:
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of life -- in order that I m aybe boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."
I have found myself complaining and being angry and frustrated lately. I don't like feeling that way, and I'm told that complaining influences others in a negative way and that God doesn't want that kind of behavior from His people. It's a tough one to handle, but I've found that feelings and emotions can be trained to "submit" to the will and a commitment to offer praise instead of complaining. Simple acts like saying, "Lord, I'm thankful in my circumstances, even though I'm irritated. I rejoice in this..." That act, even though it may defy the "real and honest emotions" of the moment, can actually take charge and put the emotions at bay, making them submit to an authority (your will). That's kind of cool. I know that my complaining is not productive. I also know that I really do want to have a better attitude. I'm thankful that this verse corrects me and reminds me of this.
Rejoicing
3:1 says:
"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you."
4:4 says:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Rejoicing is another act of the will, but it produces a great fruit (a thankful heart, good attitude, and it's contagious).
Passion -- real emotion
Paul is addressing believers in Philippi and he says:
"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say 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. Ther mind is on eatthly things."
I can imagine in my mind people talking about sinners in an arrogant way, as if the word "sinner" falls down the slope of their upturned nose in disdain. As if they hate non-believers. But Paul demonstrates the way to be: he said this pronouncement with tears. He actually cried. When I think of people who are upset with another's sin, I think of the appropriate response: tucked away in a prayer closet, weeping over the condition of their soul. That's compassion. That's real caring. That's real love. And that's the way sin should make us feel -- hurt over the pain, not offended at the lack of self-righteousness.
Women have a place of honor -- not second class or second-tier citizens
In chapter 4 Paul is telling the believers in Philippi to help "these women (Euodia and Syntyche) who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life."
This was written in a day and time where women were not treated or seen as equals, so Paul's admonition here is quite revolutionary. People give Paul a hard time for his discussion on roles (and the problem I have with that is people attach values to certain roles, which I think is bogus), but he and Jesus actually elevated women to co-heirs and equals to men. That's cool. Sometimes we get embarrassed by some idiotic thing that a believer does publically in the Name of Christ, but there are some really cool things we can be proud of concerning the church -- being on the forefront of women's causes and civil rights are but two of them. (Yes, the part about women can be argued and quite a bit of emotion can be thrown in that argument...)
Well, it's time to start planning the May/June issue. I'm not sure who to put on the cover. I like to put a band on there that is cool, that is deserving, that has a new album coming out. At this time, there are no obvious choices. There are a couple bands that are great choices (Zao and The Showdown), but they're coming out in June and July, which is better for that issue... This can be a hard choice to make.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at February 6, 2006 09:27 AM