November 26, 2022 -- Philippians 3:20-4:1 -- Pursuing Jesus in all of life

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Philippians 3:20-4:1 ESV

Pursuing Eternal Values is the final virtue which rounds out the twenty-four character traits for daily self-examination. The opposite is pursuing temporal values. This much is obvious. When a man claims to bear the title of Christian, but he indulges in his old, sinful patterns, he is a hypocrite and a liar if he does not immediately confess his sins and repent and turn away from them. Recently I heard a speaker say, 'what you reward yourself with is what your heart truly craves'. So, if you have been acting like a Christian all day, then go and then as a self-reward you over-indulge, or watch porn, you are, in fact pursuing the world and ultimately death. Do not substitute the here and now, for the glory and wow of the New Kingdom.

The Eternal Values in view is a life that is bound up with Jesus. He is the Captain of Salvation (Hebrews 2:10). He is the man, so fully empowered by the Holy Spirit (John 3:34), that it is in His power to gift the Spirit to all who follow Him (John 16:7). Those pursuing eternal values, ask God the Father and God the Son for the Spirit so that their lives will be heaven-powered for the earthly-battles which inevitably will dog them. Ultimately, we live our lives for an audience of One, God Himself. All our griefs and victories, all our struggles and hopes, every joy and sadness, all these experiences and circumstances are used by the LORD our God to shape us so that we cry out to Him. Sometimes these are shouts of joy “Who is like You, O God, great and glorious, the Defender of the Weak?!”. Other times our cries are pitiable and out of helplessness we raise our voices to Him Who alone can save, “Lord, if You do not rescue me, I will go down to the pit” (II Timothy 4:18 and Psalm 88:1ff).

It is not in our power to go after eternal values. The desire to do so is evidence of the new life that is ours in Christ. The ability to do so is given by the Holy Spirit. The failures and pitfalls along the way are not fatal. The Christian confesses his sins. He seeks spiritual help from those who are more mature in the faith, and together believers continue living the greatest adventure possible: ever fuller life in Christ, empowered by the Spirit, lived to the glory of God, the Father, the Source of every good gift for the believer Who draws the believers closer to Jesus.

Our Father blessed be Your Name. May Your Name be celebrated on earth as it is honoured and adored in heaven. Forgive us, Faithful Lord, for our wayward and rebellious hearts. Do in us, as Scripture promises, transform our lowly bodies through the Savior Jesus Christ so that our bodies, souls and minds will be fully subject to Him. Let our lives grow in faithful devotion to You, Triune God, through the mighty presence of the Spirit. May our lives honour the parents and mentors, pastors and missionaries You sent out in Jesus' Name to find us and bring us to the Savior. Let these faithful ones cast their crowns before You in joy and love even as we, long for the day when those who, inspired by our mentorship for Jesus Christ, become our joy and crown, which crowns we will exuberantly lay before Your throne of glory and splendor. Teach us new depths of devotion and conformity to Your will as we here on earth as citizens of Jesus' Kingdom. Amen.

https://youtu.be/1IGP68i3JvU
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (Chet Valley Churches)

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.