Author: Warren Berkley

Philippians

(Warren E. Berkley)

Phil. 2:12-18

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. ¹⁷ Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Obedience to Jesus Christ must be a consistent, ongoing way of life. That you and I obeyed the Lord first in repentance and baptism, only means we started that way of life. It must continue, grow deeper and stronger, even when there is no audience. In our private lives, our thought life, our public image and in all our relationships – obedience to Jesus Christ must be our consistent manner of life (from the inside out). This activity of faith enables us to be involved in and recipients of “our own salvation” God provides through Jesus Christ. That this ongoing obedience is not grounds of merit is made clear: It is God who works in you.

Think of it like this: Our obedience to Jesus Christ gives God access into our lives to work for our present and eternal good, that which we could not do without Him.

Grumbling and disputing is not only immature and against the example and teaching of Christ. It interrupts this ongoing obedience, therefore works against not for “our own salvation.”

The aim in all this is to “be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

Part of this is, “holding fast to the word of life.” Obedience to Christ must be grounded in our knowledge of and use of “the word of life.”

“So that in the day of Christ,” Paul said, “I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”

Paul has his focus on the spiritual good of the Christians in Philippi. He is urging their ongoing obedience to Christ, without immature attitudes intruding … all of this in preparation for eternal good “in the day of Christ.” Paul makes it clear, this was his heart’s desire for his brothers and sisters in Christ.

Attention Parents: One of Your Most Powerful Tools

I read this the other day, on a website devoted to parenting.

“Your toddler has a curious mind and so there is no limit to the number of questions that he may ask you in a day. Sometimes, the questions may be repeated too. However, studies have revealed that on an average a toddler can ask about 100 to 300 questions in a day.” https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/common-questions-toddlers-ask-repeatedly/

I do remember when we were raising our children, at that toddler stage, there were questions. Why is water wet? How was I made? Why do people die? What does “no, we don’t have the money” mean? We never counted the number of questions per day, but studies show very high numbers.

Knowing what to say in response to your children and giving right answers with care is one of the most powerful tools parents can use to inform, to encourage curiosity and train them in what is right.

Moses knew this (from the highest source). He told the Israelites:

 “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’  then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.  And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes.  And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers.  And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.  And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us’.” (Deut. 6:20-25)

This passage illustrates the power of responding to our children’s questions. When they witness a baptism and ask what that is about; at a funeral and they inquire about death; at a wedding and they ask about marriage – good responses given with care are memorable. Later, perhaps in the teenage years, questions may arise about the authority of the Bible, the deity of Christ, the relevance of the local church, marriage, divorce and remarriage – again, good responses given with care are memorable teaching moments.

Give God’s answers to your children.

Philippians

(Warren E. Berkley)

 Phil. 2:5-11

⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Phil. 2:5-11

The opening verses of chapter two call upon Christians to make attitude a priority, as described in these descriptive phrases: “…the same love, being in full accord and of one mind,” etc. (See 2:1-4).

These descriptions of healthy attitude can be called unselfish humility, and there is no better example of that than Jesus Himself. So Paul says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” In the NIV: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.” That’s the high standard Christians must aim for. Unselfish, courageous, Christ-like humility.

Jesus never did anything through selfish ambition or conceit. He was meek and lowly, illustrating in the highest way, the attitude that should govern all who follow Him. (He was unlike the scribes who were driven by selfish ambition; see Mark 12:38-40).

He existed in the form or very being as God before, during and after His incarnation and has that nature/status now in heaven. But, He “did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.” Jesus did not have to steal or seize Deity from God; it was His by nature.

And yet He “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men.” He humbled Himself, emptied Himself. He didn’t stop being divine when He came to earth – that isn’t the point. He didn’t claim that deity as an exemption. This all speaks to His humility. He became a bondservant to save us and take us to heaven.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

It was more than just visiting the human race. His unselfish humility brought Him here, to suffer and die, “even the death of the cross.” He lived on the earth, emptied Himself of His heavenly existence – obeying God and serving us; not just dying, but the death “on a cross.”

The Father honored this supreme act of humility: “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.” There is no greater. Jesus Christ is not one among many religious leaders or teachers. He is Deity who came here and died for us and was then exalted by God.

What should the response of human beings be to this? Submission. Submission now that is fully realized eventually when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, “to the glory of God the Father.”

One question comes out of this. Am I living in humble submission to Him, who humbly submitted Himself to death for me?

It is also possible to say precisely why. Truth seduces us very easily into a kind of joy of possession: I have comprehended this and that, learned it, understood it. Knowledge is power. I am therefore more than the other man who does not know this and that. I have greater possibilities and also greater temptations. Anyone who deals with truth – as we theologians certainly do – succumbs all too easily to the psychology of the possessor. But love is the opposite of the will to possess. It is self-giving. It boasteth not itself, but humbleth itself.

Helmut Thielicke

Philippians, A Fresh Look

(Warren E. Berkley)

Phil. 2:1-4

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,  complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The main idea of this brief paragraph is immediately clear. It is about how Christians are to think and interact with other Christians.

Why is this important? Because there is “encouragement in Christ,” and there is “comfort from love.” In Christ, we are equipped to encourage one another. In Christ there is joy and “comfort of love,” which enables us to be of the same mind, the same good attitude with each other.

The key words here are loaded with motive, good will and unity, which ought to have very direct and practical impact on each of us, as we let this part of Scripture change us and probe our hearts.

Living under the authority and example of Christ, we are able to be “of the same mind.” No. This doesn’t mean we are mental clones. Rather, the center governing principle of our inner thoughts are the same. There is unity of thought among us because of our mutual submission to Christ. We think alike because we serve the same Master. It is that simple.

Similarly, “the same love.” This is not about us imitating each other, to achieve this sameness. This is about imitating Christ and following Him, resulting in the inner and outer presence of this love. It is self-will and care that reaches out actively to serve others in the best possible way.

When Christians are “on the same page” following Christ, there is this uniformity and harmony of thought and attitude, “being of full accord and of one mind.”

The negative of this teaching is: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Any words or actions which are driven by selfish ambition or conceit should be resisted, rejected and internally rebuked by followers of Christ. It is not who we are.

Rather, “in humility,” we are inclined to “count others more significant than” ourselves. If it can be said that we look out for Number One, that One is Jesus the Christ, not us, not self, not a group or network of close, limited friends.

To be even more specific: “Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interests of others.”

Are you on the “look out” for yourself or for others? Is your interests of heart self-centered? To whatever extent that is true of you, you are not aligned with the Savior.

Philippians

A Fresh Look

Phil. 1:27-30

²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.²⁹ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, ³⁰ engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

That the apostle Paul enjoyed a pleasant, peaceful relationship with the Christians in Philippi is obvious throughout the letter. Also, it appears to be, there was no major doctrinal crisis or dissension in the church (exception, see Phil. 4:2).

Yet, peaceful experience and good relationship doesn’t rule out the need for practical admonition and commands about daily living.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”

Paul had this great interest of heart, that the Christians in Philippi would continue to live up to the high standards of Christ on a daily basis. Thus, Paul wanted to know about them, whether he was present or absent. He wanted to hear that they were standing together under the authority of Christ, side by side, for the faith of the gospel.

This is what every Christian wants to hear about every other Christians. This is what I want for the readers of this article. And this is what you want to hear about me.

Likewise, Paul didn’t want his brothers and sisters in Philippi to be “frightened” by opponents. Paul said – the fact you have opponents only shows further, they are headed in the wrong direction; and you are headed in the right direction.

And,  “it has been granted to you, that for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.”

The richness of our faith is evident, when we consider persecution and suffering “for the sake of Christ” to be a granted privilege, not a realistic drudgery.

As the Philippians suffered, they were engaged in the same conflict, the same battle Paul was part of. To be well engaged, it was essential for them to let their manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Do Not Love The Culture

(see source below)

Our secular, anti-God culture wants us to make no mention of God except in our church building. They can use God’s name as they curse and swear in public hearing, but we are opposed if we praise God’s name publicly. Our culture accepts all parts of the sexual revolution, including one-night hookups, serial “no-fault” divorces, living together without marriage, as well as the entire LGBTQ+ agenda. Any mention from Christians that these things should be repented and admitted as sinful is a “countercultural” message. Our culture does not appreciate that stand. May I suggest we read I Jn. 2:15-17 and insert the word “culture” where the word “world” appears? “Do not love the culture or anything in the culture. If anyone loves the culture, love for the Father is not in him…” Do likewise with Jas. 2:4.

Source – Mark White, Cy-Fair church of Christ bulletin, Jan. 30, 2022

The Good Fight

“I have fought the good fight”

(2 Tim. 4:7)

Let’s be willing to say this. Not all fighting is good. There is a lot of bad fighting going on in the world, even in the religious world, even in the church. We know that.

In Paul’s day there were useless controversies, aggressive false teaching, and dangerous episodes of persecuting and killing Christians. Paul was a soldier in the Lord’s Army. He was fighting the good fight, wearing the whole armor of God. And in that engagement he was clear: “… we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,” (Eph. 6:12).

Related to that clarity, he said in another place: “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy stronghold. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete,” (2 Cor. 10:3-6).

Paul’s fight was not one of violence, physical punishment nor did he restort to anything deceitful or greedy, insulting or unrighteous. To Christians in Thessalonica he said, “we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children,” (see 1 Thess. 2:1-8). This doesn’t sound like an angry violent, intimidating and bloodthirsty warrior. Paul’s fight was good. He said to those Christians: “…just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts,” (1 Thess. 2:4). This was Paul’s good fight. He was not ashamed of the gospel, opposed to every form of evil and always ready to build Christians up in the faith.

In a valuable work, BOOK, CHAPTER & VERSE, by Floyd Thompson (compiled and published by his widow, Ruth) he was quoted on this subject as follows.

“I have said many times that I think I have seen demonstrated in the lives of some people, that their idea of being sound in the faith was to be insulting and obnoxious. I don’t believe that. I think a person can be amiable, and at the same time not compromise an inch insofar as the teaching of God’s word is concerned. There is where the fight ought to be made. I just cannot imagine the apostle Paul getting up in the presence of any audience and feeling that he had to insult them to prove his soundness. Now, if his stating a truth brought the wrath of the whole crowd down upon him, he would have stated the truth, and then said, “Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?”

Paul said to Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses,” (1 Tim. 6:12).

Family Drama In Genesis & Blame

Warren E. Berkley

{Just Something To Consider from my Daily Bible Reading}

My daily Bible reading for several days has been located in Genesis. Can you name a family in Genesis that didn’t have conflict (modern term “drama”)? Even when there are specific attributes we admire in individuals like Abraham and Joseph, an objective reading of the narratives leads us to conclude these men were not entirely innocent, but contributors to the family troubles. All the way back to the first family, what is clear in this history is: sometimes everybody in a family shares blame. Read Genesis with focus on family drama and this conclusion is striking.

God was working His plan through flawed people. And when flawed (sinful) people are guilty of sin against family or outside the domestic setting, the conflict and resulting drama shows up.

Isn’t this true today? Discussions of family drama sometimes sound like there is a “certain” member of the family who has caused all the trouble. While there are exceptions, in many instances almost everybody shares blame, if not in an initial incident, in the reaction. If that is the reality, it means if all of us will be engaged in unselfish self-examination that is consistent, while family drama may not disappear, we can remain right with God through it. And be equipped to lead others to godly solutions.

“Those who trouble their family will inherit the wind. The fool will be servant to the wise.” — Proverbs 11:29

“Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other.” — Colossians 3:13

“As for parents, don’t provoke your children to anger, but raise them with discipline and instruction about the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:4

Philippians #5

A Fresh Look

Phil. 1:19-26

 Phil. 1:19-26

“…for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as 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 to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

Paul’s confidence was in the Lord but that confidence Godward had a human element. God used His people to strengthen Paul (see also 2 Tim. 4:9-17). That is reflected here: “…for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance.” This does not imply that every difficulty would be removed, but that God would see him through future difficulties and graciously afford Him the “crown of righteousness” at the end of the journey (see 2 Tim. 6-8).

He encountered all difficulty head on, with his faith in the Lord, the help of the Spirit of Christ and the prayerful participation of his brethren.

Therefore, Paul – though persecuted, jailed and opposed – held to an eager expectation and hope, that though his body bore the injuries of hardship, it would all turn out to the glory and honor of Christ (verse 20).

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Paul’s life was all about Christ (Gal. 2:20). Because of that total absorption, he considered death to be gain. “If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet, which I shall choose I cannot tell.” He is stating his desire to be with Christ, alongside his strong interests of heart – to continue his work on earth. “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

As these thoughts were processed by Paul, he came to a tentative conclusion: “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced on this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith.”

For the Christians at Philippi this would mean: “…in me, you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” His continuation in the Lord’s work would benefit the Christians in Philippi, especially if he could see them again. His hope and their possible reunion would be thoughts that would cause them “to glory in Christ Jesus.”

What do these verses demonstrate? (1) The depth of Paul’s devotion to the Lord, (2) his dependence on the prayers of the Christians in Philippi, (3) his reliance on the Spirit of Jesus Christ – therefore, his hope of deliverance.

As long as we remain here on earth, we ought – like Paul – to live in pursuit of the greatest good we are able to do for the Lord’s cause. Though we may have moments when we long to leave and be with Christ, we may conclude – it is more valuable for us to stay here, serve people and glorify God. The progress and joy of our fellow Christians is a compelling motive to remain.