Title I Pray/Philippians 1:3-11
Contents
The word New Millenium seems to work magic. It seems that the entire society, from all classes and various occupations, regardless of age or gender, has lost face to the word millennium. People who do business in harmony with this exciting atmosphere use it as an opportunity to pursue profits, and the education world vomits an education white paper that is far from reality. I even fear that I will be able to have attachments. Politicians use it as a political rhetoric to gain public support ahead of the general election, which now sounds even frivolous. Some intellectuals are excited as if a new golden culture is pouring out with a new year, just as we have lived a primitive life in a non-culture.
The number 2000 itself is essentially meaningless.
The decimal number of 2000 years does not have any historical origin, but only counts the world of Jesus Christ. In other words, it is a monumental number when Jesus Christ came to this earth in a human body. Christians should have the insight to trust the time they have received from God, not when they have leisurely discussions in front of the year 2000.
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter from prison in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to all the church members in Philippi now, and the letter alone was not enough. So he said to pray. Paul said he thanked God whenever he thought of the Philippians (1:3).
The Philippians were people who reminded them of Paul in prison, and they were able to thank God whenever they thought of them. Because of the close fellowship Paul had with the Philippians in Christ Jesus. The reason I always pray for them with joy whenever I ask for them was because of fellowship for the gospel (1:5). For example, it can be seen that the prayers and offerings that the Philippians offered to Paul were very helpful in spreading the gospel.
The Philippians were very active in the preaching work of the Apostle Paul. The gifts they sent to Paul himself while he was in prison and what they gave to the church in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:13) were fellowship for the preaching of the gospel.
With this love, Paul declared that he prayed for the Philippians.
1. I prayed for the progress of love.
Verse 1:9, “I pray that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all understanding… ' he said.
Paul had no choice but to pray because he was in prison. His first prayer was a prayer for the progress of love.
1) It is love with knowledge.
In chapter 1 verse 9, “… your love with knowledge... ' he said.
Knowledge "Epijansei" refers to the 'knowledge of God that Christians have.' It is not a love that comes from humanistic and emotional compassion, but a love that comes after a deep understanding of God's Word, that is, love them with the love they received from Christ, just as Paul himself loved the Philippians. It is not a temporary love. It's not emotional love. It is not a love that changes according to one's circumstances and circumstances. It is an unwavering love that is always touched by the redemption of Christ.
2) It is love with intelligence.
In chapter 1 verse 9, “… your love... May it abound more and more with all wisdom... ' he said.
The name "Ice Dessei" means "wise insight". Intelligence is the ability to make sound decisions with perceptual insight and moral discernment.
God's word is wise. The intelligent person is the one who takes precedence over the true knowledge of Christ. An intelligent person is never stingy before God, and with his intelligence, the kingdom of God becomes more and more abundant.
3. I prayed to discern what is good.
In verse 19 of the text, “… You discern what is most good... ' he said.
The good "diaperonda" means 'excellent' or 'the best'. The "dochimazein" of discerning means 'testing and proving' (1 Corinthians 3:13, 1 Peter 1:7). Therefore, to discern what is good means to discern carefully what is important. What is good, what is outstanding, outstanding, and important.
1 Peter 3:15-16 tells us to have a good conscience. This statement does not distinguish it from doing good deeds. From the front, they are told to do good deeds, to do good deeds diligently, and later to have a good conscience. Then the line cannot be called abstract. The opposite of good is evil, and hypocrisy is more appropriate than such a conceptual concept.
Hypocrisy is what appears to be good deeds while conscience is not really good. Roughly speaking, it means pretending to be good and making a profit. A good conscience is the first, uncontaminated heart that God has given us. Therefore, it refers to all creation in relation to God's creative work (1 Tim. 4:9). God's law is said to be good (Romans 7:12. 13; 1 Timothy 1:8). Your ordinances are good (Psalm 119:39). What works out God's salvation is called goodness (Romans 8:28). Goodness means thinking of others more than yourself and sacrificing for others (Romans 15:2).
Good works are all things that benefit the church (1 Timothy 3:1). Good instruction meant the word of God (1 Tim. 4:6; Heb. 6:5). Jehovah God is good (Psalm 135:3, Psalm 118:1, Psalm 100:5, Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18). Jesus Christ, who came as the Messiah, was said to be good (Luke 18:18, John 1:46). It is good to believe in Jesus Christ (John 5:29).
From this point of view, it is good to please God. As a saint, doing what is worthy of it is good. It is doing God's work. Christians must be discerning in what pleases God.
Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now seeking to please men or God or do I seek the joy of men? If anything until now I have sought the joy of men, I am not a servant of Christ.”
I prayed that especially the Philippians would not cease to be able to discern what might be their fault.
In chapter 1 verse 10, “… and in truth and blameless until the day of Christ.”
The word 'afroskopoi' means 'undamaged' or 'without blemish'.
Sin is our fault. Unbelief is a fault. It is a transgression to receive and follow a different gospel, a different spirit, and a different Jesus. Grievances and complaints are faults. Believing and falling is a mistake. Faith that yields to circumstances is a folly. Not having the patience of faith is a transgression. The Apostle Paul prayed that the Philippians would have a sincere and honest heart before God and before all people until the day Christ comes again.
3. We prayed for the supreme purpose of mankind.
In verse 11 it says, “I pray that you may be filled with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
We prayed that the fruits of righteousness would bring glory and praise to God. The fruit of righteousness is not obtained by keeping the law, but is the fruit of the Spirit that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the fruit of a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, conscience, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law.”
The fruits of righteousness obtained through the work of the Holy Spirit bring glory to God. Because the fruit comes from God, it must return to God.
The chief end of man is to glorify God, to enjoy him fully and to give him praise (Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 73:24-28; John 17:22-24; Matthew 5:16, John 15:8, 17:4).
Dear saints,
The Lord is praying for the progress of the love of all the saints without a break even at this time.
The Lord is praying for us to discern what is good for us and to accomplish it.
The Lord is praying that we will be blameless until the day of Christ.
Even at this time, the Lord is praying for the supreme purpose of mankind.
You who have become a chosen race and a royal priesthood!
Let us all live strong and courageous through this prayer.
- Amen -