I John 2- "So that you may not sin"

 ¹ My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
 ² and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
 ³ By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
 ⁴ The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
 ⁵ but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
 ⁶ the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

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I am so thankful for the finished work of Christ and His continued avocation on my behalf to the Father.  Our sin was completely dealt with on the Cross... past, present and future sin.  Christ, the Perfect Sacrifice, ransomed me from an eternal separation from God. 

To many that doesn't sound like such a bad punishment, separation from God, but consider that longing that unbelievers continue to strive to fill in vain. That is a deep rooted longing that is unknown unless it is revealed by the Holy Spirit.  One day, every knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11) and those who have not accepted Christ will understand what that longing was.  And worse yet, there will be nothing they can do to rectify their lives.  They must sit for eternity knowing that they missed the point of their earthly lives.  All the while in permanent punishment for their sin.

Thank you Lord for saving me!  Salvation is an incredible, indescribable and indispensable gift...

Philippians 4- Content

 ¹¹ Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
 ¹² I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
 ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

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What an encouragement.  I have been blessed beyond measure, yet I still find myself at times looking for more.  Paul is reminding us that we have been filled with the power, through Christ, to live contentedly wherever He has placed us.  That means when God is blessing with plenty of money, after a pay cut, after a lost job or any time. 

We must remember that God is in control.  There is nothing that happens that is outside of His watchful eye.  His plans are not always the same as mine, but His plans are always better. 

The final verse (v13) reminds us that on our own we are hopelessly lost to be discontent, at times even in the best situations, without Christ who gives us strength.  That is our selfishness.

Are you content in Christ today?  Are you living your life to the fullness that you have been called to?

Philippians 3- Perfect in Christ

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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What a prize, what a goal, what a calling: to be made in perfect Christ likeness.  That is our unattainable goal here on earth, yet we strive to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us and begin the transformation through His power.  What an majestic God we serve, who can transform a person like me, into perfection.

Thank You Lord for my salvation!  Give me strength, humility and power to walk in Your ways and to live Christ in every thing I do...

Philippians 2- Relationships with other believers

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

...

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I was reminded of a relationship to a coworker I have by this passage. I work with another believer who I often have a difference of opinions with. These are work related, not theological, mostly unimportant topics. However, this verse brings me back to the root of the matter... I'll repeat the verses now, because they are so clear they need no interpretation or explanation (emphasis mine):

"make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,..."

Wow! Lord help me to love You and bring glory to You and Your Son.  I am dependent on You alone to make this change in me...

Philippians 1- Worthy of the Gospel

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

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This verse is definitely one that we all need to act out. These believers were encouraged to be known for their firm stance in on the gospel in which they were of one mind. The Christian community in general is not known for this. Unbelievers see the "church" as a splintered group of factions, that do nothing but fight among ourselves.

I really appreciate this verse because it gives us individual instruction "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ", as well as how we should behave as a community.

Does your community know you (and your church) as one that is "standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel"?