Coffee With The Lord

A post from the past… worthy of reposting

Here’s a couple of very significant Scriptures I’ve been reflecting on this 4^th of July – “Independence Day” in the United States…

“For freedom Christ has set us free!  Stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery!” (Galatians 5:1 ESV)

“If the Son [Jesus Christ – Son of God] sets you free, you will be free indeed!” (John 8:36)

“You were called to freedom!  Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the ‘flesh’ [the sinful, selfish desires of natural man], but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

Freedom in Christ – authentic moral and spiritual freedom – comes with responsibility!  Asserting one’s “freedom” through self-will and sinful pursuits lead to terrible bondage!

I’ve been thinking about it all day… The Gospel, powerfully experienced and practically applied would bring real “freedom” and solve all the problems that surround us and have led to the problems we are facing in our nation [and around the world] today!…

• The profound transformation of the evil in the human heart
• Love for others in the place of hatred
• Justice in the place of injustice
• Reconciliation in the place of Enmity
• Forgiveness instead of harbored bitterness
• Acceptance in the place of intolerance
• Kindness instead of vengeance
• Blessing instead of cursing
• Humility instead of arrogance
• Peace-making instead of violence
• Redemptive Love that embraces all humanity, regardless of differences, rather than bigotry

I could go on… this is NOT a complete list!  But as a Christian and devoted follower of Jesus, why don’t we make the Gospel with all its power and redemptive potential, our one grand cause in the world?… I think Apostle Paul had it right; he said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of salvation to all who believe!” (Romans 1:16)  Don’t know about you, but I’m going to accept the challenge of taking it, sharing it, and living it wherever I go!

A “life-verse” … do you have one?  I do.  In fact I have several I have chosen – not a lot of them, probably less than five special verses of Scripture that really have resonated with me and express key aspects of my values as a Christian and my sense of mission.  If you haven’t chosen a personal “life-verse” I’d like to urge you to be on the lookout for one (or several) that you believe express your core values or sense of mission as a Christ-follower.

This morning during my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I believe I came across one that I believe Apostle Paul probably would have claimed as one of his “life-verses!”  Perhaps you’d want to consider it as a “life-verse” choice for your life… It’s Philippians 1:20-21

You’ve got to capture the context though… Paul has been imprisoned for the sake of the gospel, chained to two Roman soldiers.  He really isn’t certain whether the outcome will be life or death.  He is also writing to believers of the church he planted in Philippi who are puzzled by what Paul is facing and the great challenges within their own congregation and in the broader culture.  So he writes to them to inform them about his circumstances and encourage them in their situation.  In light of all of that he makes this declaration (which, incidentally qualifies as a great “life-verse!”)…

“It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed!  But that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death!  For me, to live is Christ – to die is gain!”

What a declaration – what a commitment – what perspective!  I want to live that way… Never ashamed!  Courageously facing whatever life brings with the determination that Christ will always be honored regardless – in life or death!  Christ the focus – Christ the purpose!  Think about it… You may want to chose it as YOUR “life-verse!”  It’s one of mine!

“Teach me Your statutes!  Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will meditate on Your wondrous works! … Strengthen me according to Your word!” (Psalm 119:26b-28)