I found "Servants" in Philippi

Paul’s letter to the Church of Philippi was read aloud, these are my thoughts ‘penned’ aloud…

1.   Knowing My Past (Assignment)

      Paul reminded the Philippians about their past friendship and association with Paul and how they have labored together with Paul for the Gospel.
      The SE1 exercise makes me to return to the beginning of my life to recall the major events, both high and low notes. Looking into my past, allow me to realize God's presence at those major events. On hind sight, I know that my high points always coincide with my positive response to God's prompting. And my low points are just the opposite.
      Knowing my past and seeing how God has always been beside me give me peace. Peace beyond understanding. Shalom, with God; with self; with others.
       My Life Journey can encourage myself and others of God’s presence even before we believe.

2.   Confident of My Future (Project)

      In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul keep using the word, “JOY”. He is either telling of his joy recalling their partnership in the gospel, or rejoice, even though he is in ‘chains’ for the sake of the gospel. This word joy and rejoice keep surfacing, and I ask myself, what is this joy to me, that Paul is sharing?
      And in Phil. 3:20, I found the reason: because according to Paul, once I have accepted Jesus, I am a citizen of Heaven. I have transferred my citizenship from earth to heaven. This is my joy. This is my confident. So because my citizenship is in heaven, I am therefore only a migrant here on earth. I need to obey the rules and regulations here, but my focus should be heaven, my home.
      In fact, when Paul wrote to the Roman believers (Roms. 12:1-2), he challenged them “…not to be conformed to this world…but be transformed by the renewing of the mind…” But in his letter to the Philippian believers, Paul said, “…He (Jesus) will transformed the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory…” Jesus will do the transforming and conforming, while I only need to look towards heaven, ’expecting my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Phil. 3:20 NRSV).
      My confidence in God’s power given to Jesus, the same power that raise Jesus from the dead.

3.   Living in the Present (Challenge)

      The word ‘servant’ touch my heart. Our understanding of the word and the picture we have of the word dictate our approach to this word. Yet, Paul and Timothy, do not just called themselves servants, they actually identify themselves as servants, ‘servants of Christ Jesus’.
      1^st. servant of Christ Jesus is like a slave in the wealthy Roman household. The servant serve under all circumstances with fear and trembling. Thus, a Roman servant carries a lowly status.
      2^nd, servant in the Jewish mind set, especially in relation to the Temple, thus, the Servant of Yahweh, carries a high status. The Servant of Yahweh is highly respected and esteemed by the Jewish community. Because this Servant represents Yahweh.
      But when Paul identify himself as “servant of Christ Jesus”, he is taking both the above position. He represent Christ, yet he is willing to serve others like a slave, without murmurs or complains. Both the Jewish and Gentiles within the Philippi Church understand his position. What motivates Paul, is found in Philippians 2, where Paul shared how our Lord Jesus, also served like a servant.
      If my Lord Jesus serve; and my ‘mentor’ the Apostle Paul serve, what choice to I have, but to serve. The challenge is to live out the present to serve others. This is a high calling. A very difficult assignment and a heavy cost.
      It is a choice to serve, Lord help me to make the right choice as I live out the present.

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The "God of Roman-ce" in the Book of Romans

We often heard such negative comments about the God of the Bible; “He is very strict...” “He is very serious...” “He is always angry and ready to display wrath...” Is this really the God of the Bible?

 

Now let me bring you on a tour through the City of Rome to discover a “God of Roman-ce” in the Book of Romans...

1.      God shows me the Law (Rom. 1:18-32) - God Loves me

The “God of Roman-ce” loves me and show me the Law, the Law of nature. Therefore, though I am Oriental, I am not without Law. Apart from the Law of Nature, He place in my heart “the Law of Conscience”, that I may know the difference between good and evil. Conscience; a natural desire for good over evil. This Law of Nature reveals God’s creative power and His providence to life on earth, showing His love for the human race. Martin Luther said, “man by omitting that which is good leads to committing that which is evil” does man violates the Law.

2.      God gives me Grace (Rom. 5) - God Loves me

God through his love gave the Jews the Law of Moses, and the world the Law of Nature, but everyone still fail to respond to His love. Though man cannot live up to God’s law, God did not stop romancing man. He gives man grace, so man can fulfil His law. “The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17). Man only need to believe and accept God’s grace; Christ the fulfillment of God’s law.

3.      God adopts and predestines me to be like His Son (Rom. 8) - God Loves me

This Romantic God did not just give grace to me, but He sealed this love with His Spirit. God did not just show me the Law; He gives me His grace to fulfil the Law; and He confirms his love by adopting me as His son. The destination of adoption is my transformation into the image of Christ. This is the believer’s predestination, “to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). I have a new status now, I am a son of God.

4.      God transforms me to Love (Rom. 12 - 13) - God Loves me

Those who believed are predestined into the likeness of Christ to demonstrate God’s love to the rest of the world. Romans 12 show me that I need to be transform. Rom. 12:2 “do not conform” or do not submit; “but be transformed” – God is doing the transforming. I am not doing the transformation, God does. The final outcome of my transformation is the image of Christ – my predestination. Rom. 13:10 says, “Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Thus, God's purpose is to have many sons in the likeness of Christ, demonstrating His love to the rest of the world. 

Now at the end of our tour of Rome; I hope you have discovered the "God of Roman-ce" and His plan for the human race. Demonstrating his love (law); mercy (grace); kindness (adoption and predestination) and perseverance (transformation) in reaching out to the ordinary man. This is the God in the book of Romans, a God of Roman-ce.

Your tour-guide: Francis Ng

Note: All Bible quotations are from the NIV.

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