Category Archives: Bible Study

PARTNERS WITH ATTITUDE

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Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
[3] “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. [4] Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Three ways in which our attitudes matter… to avoid selfish attitudes which alienate us from one another and to cultivate the godly attitudes that foster the love and unity that keep us on track towards maturity in the church.

Paul fleshes out the attitude of the believer compared with the attitude of people in the world. How important that we take notice of these contrasts lest we allow the world’s attitudes to creep into the church.

Selfishness underpins worldly attitudes. Whatever ungodly people think, say, or do, their first consideration is to promote or protect themselves. Self-defence, for example, is one way of hiding the truth. Pride hates to be exposed. People blame, excuse, or lie to defend their reputation, alienating themselves from others instead of coming clean.

Selfish ambition causes people to climb on others to achieve their goals. The desire to Impress others often makes people dishonest, pretending to be more than they are. The more these attitudes creep into the church, the more artificial we become and the farther we drift from each other and from unity.

We can try to impress others through dishonesty or covering up our faults and failures but, eventually, the truth will come out. How much better to be transparent even when we are in the wrong. If holiness is so important to God, we must allow no taint of self to mar the fellowship of God’s people.

Paul encouraged humility, the attitude that is willing to be who we are because, first, we are all guilty of failure, so ptetandingvto be faultless is lying and, second, because honesty and confession keep us open to one another.

Our objective in the fellowship of the church family is to preserve unity and promote love. Selfish ambition, dishonesty, pride of one form or another, will muddy the love and unity we must promote as children of God.

Another way in which selfishness rears its ugly head is in the subtle attitude that we are better than others. It’s called “comparison.” When we compare ourselves with others in the fellowship, pride creeps in. If we consider ourselves better or worse , pride is at work. The underlying attitude is “Look at me!”

How often I catch myself thinking…,”Im not like that” …or, “I wouldn’t do that!” That’s pride. What about, “I’m not as good as…” or “I can’t do that.” Pride in reverse! Both attitudes alienate us from others.

It seems so easy for Paul to say, “Don’t do this…” or “Don’t be like that…” but what can I do to alter my disposition? My old nature, with its deeply entrenched selfishness, is still at work in me. All my efforts to think or act differently don’t work. There is only one solution… GRACE.

We can even change our attitudes through God’s grace. Hope is kindled in my heart, even if I don’t want to change, when I remember that outside of my union with Jesus, I can do nothing. If He wants me to change my attitude towards others, He will do the changing as I yield to Him because of our partnership. This is grace.

All the fruits that grow from our union with Jesus can only happen by God’s grace, His attitude of mercy and goodness to us.

Grace is available in abundant measure but we can only experience God’s grace when we reach the end of ourselves. God will never help us until we stop trying to do it ourselves and start trusting Him.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT
[8] “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. [9] Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

Did you notice Paul’s words, “Three times…”? This is the way God works. He often tests our determination before He acts for us. So, patience is another attitude we can add to our list of attitudes towards each other that we must cultivate. As difficult as applying these attitudes may seem, we trust the Lord that He is working to reproduce the image of His Son in us. And He will because He always partners with us to fulfill His purpose.

PARTNERS WITH GRACE

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Philippians 2:1-2 NLT
[1] “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? [2] Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”

Look at these qualities that foster
unity!

Encouragement…comfort…
fellowship…tenderness and compassion…all so real in God’s people but so foreign to people who don’t know Jesus. These are “kingdom” characteristics that are formed in people who have been joined to Jesus by faith and are growing in maturity…the love and unity the Holy Spirit produces.

Not only did Paul desire and call for all the aspects of partnership we have already explored, but he also pointed them to partnership which grew from within. The inward qualities of a believer, the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s transformation, made unity possible.

It’s all about attitude. This is what Meta says about attitude.

“Attitude refers to a person’s perspective, outlook, or disposition towards something, often influenced by their emotions, experiences, and values. It encompasses their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, shaping how they interact with and respond to various situations, people, and environments.”

That’s comprehensive, isn’t it! Paul points to the importance of the attitude that shapes the way God’s children navigate the world and relationships with people, with all their trials, temptations and challenges.

God’s grace has made this transformation possible. Without Him, people are doomed to live selfish, aggressive, and hostile lives, always pleasing and protecting themselves at the expense of others. Grace has freed us from the “me first” attitude that is self-destructive. “Ingrown eyeballs” give way to the attitude Jesus displayed…the self-giving love that made salvation possible.

The attitude of God’s children focuses on being and doing whatever builds others up. When believers foster this all-encompassing attitude, and partner with the character of Jesus in their hearts, they will find no place for selfish ambition and self-gratification in their relationships with others.

How important, then, that we apply this truth to ourselves. God has given us the priceless gift of His Spirit to align us with all the fruits of His grace. Not only has He provided the Spirit’s presence and power to transform our attitudes but He has also given us the supreme of all examples to follow…Jesus Himself, the epitome of perfect obedience and unselfish giving!

There is a particular challenge for preachers, teachers, and writers of the Word. How easy to become hypocrites by reading and expanding on God’s Word for the benefit of others without taking heed to what the Word is saying. We can eagerly press others into obedience without obeying ourselves!

There are no trials and tests in life beyond us if we heed God’s promise of enough grace for every situation. With the strength of His grace, we can be overcomers in our struggle against the pull of the flesh.

Let me illustrate. I have an elderly friend who struggles with memory loss. As her condition worsened, I became increasingly impatient and irritated with her. Try as I did to overcome my attitude, , I left her after each encounter feeling guilty and ashamed of falling repeatedly into the same trap. I cried out for God’s grace but it seemed that God was deaf.

After weeks of struggling with myself, something changed in me. The struggle was over. Grace began to free me from myself. What was difficult became easy. I began to interact with her with compassion and patience. God’s love in me which had evaded me for so long, began to change my attitude towards her.

You see, I realised that partnering with God’s grace is real. It cannot happen through self-effort. I think the Lord allowed me to struggle for a while to show me that it was He, through His Spirit in me, that made the change not me by the power of my self-will.

So, in all the issues of our lives, this partnership with the Holy Spirit is our only hope of obeying the Lord and producing the fruit that is evidence of God’s Spirit at work in us.

PARTNERS IN UNITY

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Philippians 1:27-28 NIV
[27] “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel [28] without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”

“Striving as one…” It must have been comforting for Paul to know that he was not alone in his efforts to spread the gospel. As much as he was preaching and teaching wherever he went, he was also fighting the good fight of faith…the daily struggle to subdue his old nature by faith in Christ, his hope of glory.

How vital it was for Paul and all his fellow believers, not only in Philippi but also wherever a fellowship of believers was established in cities and towns across the empire, to be living witnesses to the power of the gospel in a spiritually dark and pagan world. It was not enough to believe in Jesus. Their faith must be lived every day and in every way for them to testify to His saving power.

Jesus gave His disciples a commission…to BE His witnesses through the power of the Holy Spirit in them.

Acts 1:8 NIV
[8] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Being His witnesses meant believing in His work of salvation through His death…and living lives that reflect His nature in them by identifying with Him in His death.

2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV
[15] “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

Romans 6:3-4 NIV
[3] “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

The greatest work of the believer, even above serving Jesus, is the work of overcoming the flesh to live lives of submission and obedience to the Master. Why do I say this? Living righteous lives in obedience to Jesus is the hallmark of every believer, the evidence that God’s grace has changed a person from rebel to son, gladly submitting to and obeying Jesus as Lord. Holy lives, so days the Father, are imperative is we ever to see Him.

Hebrews 12:14 NLT
[14] “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

John 14:21 NIV
[21] “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

On the strength of this truth, Paul made a startling statement. It’s this evidence, increasing likeness to Jesus, that both confirms our salvation AND unbelievers’ judgment.

Philippians 1:28 NLT
[28] “Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”

Unity, then, goes beyond being one in faith and fellowship. Unity is the oneness of heart and experience that embraces two important functions of every believer, and strives together to accomplish two important purposes…

Philippians 1:27 NLT
[27]”Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”

First, they must overcome their old nature to live righteous lives as is worthy of the gospel,…

Philippians 1:27 NLT
[27] Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ…

…and they must protect and preserve the body of truth, called “the faith” which is the whole gospel of Jesus, intact and unchanged.

“…Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”

“Together” means the unity which leaves no room for dissention. They must stand as one against all opposition, from outsiders who hate them and from insiders who try to distort the gospel.

This unity is not only essential in every fellowship but a powerful barrier against the enemy’s intrusion.

The deep, inward, unifying power, which the Holy Spirit accomplishes in them, can only happen as each believer is committed to Jesus first and then to loving submission to one another under Jesus’ authority, but, said Paul, every person plays a part in preserving this unity.

Ephesians 4:3-6 NLT
[3] “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. [4] For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. [5] There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”

Unity can be disrupted by just one dissenter, either practising sin or distorting the truth of the gospel. Therefore, “strive together” are the operative words. Each person must constantly take stock of his/her life first and tenacious cling to what is good in life and doctrine.

PARTNERS IN POWER

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Philippians 1:19 NLT
[19] “For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.”

Philippians 1:25-26 NIV
[25] “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, [26] so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.”

Despite Paul’s longing to be with Jesus, he didn’t live his life with a death wish. There was work to be done and, as long as he was alive, he would do it faithfully with enthusiasm. For this reason, he needed to be delivered from prison.

His partnership in prayer with his fellow believers in Philippi was God’s way of getting him out of jail. As much as he was able to reach people in Caesar’s palace through his imprisonment, he had no desire to stay there. He wanted to be free to continue his mission to the Gentiles across the empire for as long as possible.

Paul knew that God could deliver him as He had done many times already. Paul was no stranger to the Father’s miraculous interventions. However, as always, he was subject to the Father’s will.

I think Paul knew that martyrdom was inevitable. He had already tasted the enemy’s hatred towards him in many ways. Hounded from one city to another by Jews and Gentiles, beaten and imprisoned more than once, accused and threatened with death for blasphemy, stoned, shipwrecked…you name it, Paul had survived many life-threatening situations, but he knew he faced a violent end. However, he was not daunted by the possibility.

Engaging in prayer meant engaging with God the Holy Spirit. Release from prison didn’t involve a jail break. It meant that God would intervene with a miracle that would legitimately set him free to go on his way. He was no stranger to God’s power through prayer.

And so it was! Before his arrest and final imprisonment in Rome ending in the martyrdom Paul had long anticipated, he was given more time to finish his task.

How do we know when our work is done? Only God knows because…

  1. He has written our story before we ever lived it, to the last page.

Psalms 139:16 NLT
[16] “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

  1. He has chosen others to carry on His work. It’s not for us to be concerned but to be faithful in the work He has given us to do. He will see to it that all His plans are fulfilled.

2 Timothy 2:2 NLT
[2]” You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”

It’s easy for us, when we know we are near the end of life, to be either fatalistic…karma – what will be will be…or passive…waiting to die. Not Paul!

He mobilised his strength and the strength of others with him to continue with his task until his last breath. There was no lack of power, through the prayers of his partners and the Holy Spirit’s work for him, to sustain him to his last day.

Let us also resolve, like Paul, to continue, persevere, and be faithful as long as God gives us the strength to fulfil our calling. We know that He will raise up others after us because His work to establish His kingdom on earth will continue until Jesus comes.

PARTNERS WITH A GOAL

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Philippians 1:19-20 NLT
[19] “For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. [20] For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.”

Paul’s attitude to life and its circumstances, easy or difficult, was closely allied to his goal. His purpose was to glorify Christ in all of life, good or bad. “And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.”

Living or dying, and everything in between! This meant that he embraced every circumstance as an ally, not an enemy of his goal. It also meant that his goal was so big that he could not achieve it alone. “You pray for me!” “The Spirit helps me!” The outcome, “My deliverance!”

Paul was not a fatalist. He was determined to stay alive until his work was finished. He engaged those who could help him to get the job done…fellow believers and the Holy Spirit in partnership with him.

Paul was also not afraid to die…in fact, he welcomed death as a release from his struggles and a reward for his faithfulness. In life and in death, he had the same goal, to become what Jesus had called him to be, a replica of Himself. .

Philippians 1:21-24 NLT
[21] “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. [22] But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. [23] I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. [24] But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.”

At that moment, as inviting as dying was, Paul chose to continue living because he could carry on his work fruitfully for the Lord.

His circumstances were no hindrance. He could live one day at a time, one step at a time because he was not in charge. He trusted the one who shaped his circumstances for him and make the best use of each moment knowing that, in His time, he would reap the reward of his labours.

Paul was also not concerned about the way his life would end. As his witness for Jesus drew the noose tighter around his neck, he could say with confidence and without fear…

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
[6] “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

Living or dying, all that mattered was “Christ in him, the hope of glory.”