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Devotional for the Week— 23 March 2009 Sermon Title: A Worthy Life Through the text we learn that we are to set good examples in Christ for all the people around us. Through the lives that we lead, we give others the opportunity to oppose or reject Christ. Therefore, we must live our lives worthy as Christians at all times. This requires discernment. In the scriptural text today, we look at three key points to help us live a worthy life:
Enemies of the Cross of Christ Paul wept when he saw many walking and living a life unworthy of Christ. He called them enemies of the Cross, referring to the false believers whose ideology and behaviour contradicted the self-giving obedience (2:8), self-sacrificing and suffering connected with the death of Christ on the cross (3:10). Such people may enter care groups and destroy the group’s unity and faith. These people would cast doubts over basic Christian doctrines, by denying the virgin birth of Christ, the resurrection of Christ and the Trinity of God. They also become enemies of the cross when they continue to live in sin, while claiming to have the passport to Heaven. In doing so, they grieve the Holy Spirit, and also lead others away from God. As faithful believers, we need to stand firm and correct such behaviours. We should not be misled into accepting such behaviours. We need to be discerning in the Spirit so as to be on guard against the devil’s work. We need to discern that though there are people who profess they are Christians, their desire is really to seek physical pleasures of this world. What then constitutes a worthy life in Christ so that we know we are citizens of heaven? Know Your Destiny and Citizenship In Heaven Paul used imagery of a Roman citizen to explain living a worthy life as citizens of heaven. As Romans, they often had to work in distant places within the Roman Empire. Yet wherever they went, they dressed and lived as Romans. Similarly, while some of us may live abroad, we keep our identity as Singaporeans. We speak our brand of language; keep our form of eating habits and behaviour. We are proud of our distinctiveness. Let us ask ourselves if we also stand firm in our distinctiveness in Christ and if we live in this world as a citizen of heaven? Can people recognise us as citizens of heaven? Is it in our dressing, our behaviour, our love to worship God, and our love for one another? We can do this by fellowshipping in small groups and encouraging each other to live our lives as citizens of heaven. Stand Firm in the Lord Knowing that our destiny is citizenship in heaven, Paul urged us to stand firm in the Lord by being heavenly centred and heavenly bound. We seek first the God’s Kingdom and not the pleasure of our lives on this earth. We seek God’s favour and not the world’s favour, waiting to hear our Heavenly Father saying to us, “Well done, my faithful servant”. We need to stand firm in the Lord and focus on the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our goal is to wait for our Saviour with earnest expectation. Like the Bridegroom returning for His bride (1 Thessalonians 4:18) Are we not excited enough to share this Good News with others? Be encouraged to stand firm and flee from the distractions of the world. We are to be like soldiers dressed in the armour of God and steadfast against the enemy’s attacks. Believers must stand firm together in the face of trial and guard against the fiery arrows of hurt and bitterness. In Philippians 4:1, there are two areas we can find strength to stand firm. Firstly, standing firm in our prayer life and keeping our mind and thoughts upon the Lord, holding on to the teachings and doctrines of God (2 Thessalonians 2:15) Secondly, we are to stand united in one Spirit, in our love for one another. We can see this in Apostle Paul’s life. Paul encouraged the believers to imitate him. He loved them deeply and called them brethren and longed to see them. Living a worthy life for Christ is to be able to love people in the same kind of agape love that Christ has given to us. Prayer Response Lord Jesus, keep my eyes open and focused on You and on the Cross. We do not want to fall in the way of sin or be dulled by the things of this world. Grant us Your peace as we obey Your word to live in love for one another. Sustain us, Holy Spirit so that we live a life worthy for Jesus in this world so that others may see Jesus in us in all that we do. Amen Devotional based on a message by Rev Fred Tan
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