Philippians 3:17-4:1
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Reflection
Self-indulgence, is the evil from within. We are free through the grace of Christ, yet it's easy to abuse the freedom. Through what Christ has done for each of us we realize that our focus must be on what is heavenly. Yet in our freedom we fail and lose that focus and look to what we can see in the here and now. We fall to the temptation of earthly things and begin to live for those earthly things rather than the heavenly glory of Christ Jesus.
As Christians our life is transformed. We live for Christ rather than for our selfish desires. We are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. All of this doesn't mean that our body is bad or anything. Our body is a wonderful and glorious creation of God. But we don't worship our body. As we age and our body gives up; we know that God has a heavenly body for us. But we live in this body today in our present condition, knowing of what God has in store.
We live as imitators of Christ. Happy and anxious for all the fruits of grace that God gives. My grandchildren Bubs and Kaiya are happy to play as imitators all dressed up. May our joy be as precious as we put on Christ.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we look to you to imitate you in all ways... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment