MEMORISE:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
READ: Philippians 3:1-14
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 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,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
MESSAGE
The way many Christians live their lives today shows self-centeredness and a lack of consideration for fellow believers, especially those who are babes in the Body of Christ. This is why the Holy Spirit is asking us today if we are living for Jesus or for ourselves. These was a discussion among some Church leaders concerning the way people dress to church these days, which has become a menace in some quarters, particularly to the wellbeing of young believers just coming out of the world of lust and promiscuous living. The reaction of some of them was semi-nudity on souls that are not yet mature enough to resist the immoral thoughts that such horrible sights produced in them. The conclusion of that debate was this: “Let everyone dress the way he or she likes.” It is unfortunate that these leaders have forgotten the words of Romans 15:2-3, which says:
“Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”
Unlike the aforementioned leaders, a good example of a Christian leader who lived for Christ from the moment he gave his life to Him was Paul. This was what motivated him to write the words of our memory verse. In today’s Bible reading, this same Paul gave account of who he used to be before his encounter with the Master, and how he abandoned everything he had once considered gain in order to receive “the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus”. It is interesting to note that Paul willingly went the extra mile just to satisfy his Master and not as a condition for his salvation, because he further said in Philippians 3:9:
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
In other words, Paul was living to please Jesus Christ without being legalistic. When people want to satisfy their own desires, they overstretch the meaning of grace and begin to live careless and lawless lives. Such people are living to please themselves and not the Master any more. Beloved, for you to engage in acceptable service unto our God, you must begin to live for Jesus and pattern your life after His own. You can also pattern your life after His faithful apostles, one of whom said in 1 Corinthians 11:1:
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
Live to please the Master in all you do and you will experience joy like never before.
ACTION POINT:
Study the lives of Jesus and His apostles and pattern your life after theirs.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 27-31
Jonah 2-3
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 10: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS.
1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
2. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
3. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
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