| Philippians 3:17-4:1 |
| 17Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 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. 19Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation 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. 1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. |
| This is part of Paul and Timothy’s letter to the Philippians. According to the Lutheran Study Bible, this is Paul’s most joyful letter; a letter of thanks to the Philippians for supporting Paul’s ministry. But the letter comes with a warning… In this letter, Paul stresses that the Philippians, though living in a favored city of the Roman Empire, have a higher citizenship in heaven. The “enemies of the cross of Christ” are people who call themselves Christians, but allow their Christian freedom to justify any behavior they desire. Paul writes that “their god is the belly.” What controls their lives are their desires. What controls their lives are their impulses. They do what they want to do. When you do what you want to do rather than what God has called you to do, you are an enemy of the cross of Christ. This means getting back to basics such as what we are doing this Lenten season: studying scripture, praying, sharing the gospel with others, gathering with other Christians. Prayer: Dear God, strengthen us to live humble, self-sacrificing lives because we belong to you, our Lord and God. Amen. —Daina Sivanich |