SOAP 12/06/2014; Philippians 2:5-7

Today's reading: Philippians 1, 2, 3, 4

S) "⁵ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men."

Philippians 2:5-7 (NASB)

O) The beginning of this chapter is an elongated instruction about selflessness. It can largely be a convicting passage, but as I noted the other day (see SOAP 12/01/2014), understanding why we are called to certain acts, goes a long way in helping us stay focused on obedience. And of course, it is only through the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, that we are able to obey (all of which is addressed throughout the book of Philippians). In the verses above, Paul highlights that we are following the example Jesus gave us, being selfless. Especially important, is the fact that Jesus was actually God. Even still, the discipleship we undertake, is not trying to emulate deity. Quite the opposite, in fact. On a daily basis, I am not called to literally give up my life for others, but I should be willing.

A) I was particularly convicted reading v.3 ("...regard one another as more important than yourselves;"), because that is a common struggle for me, honestly. I can fall prey to the mindset that what I am doing is "more important" than what someone else is doing, and therefore I get to have my way (usually, that I should get to keep doing what I'm doing). At the root of that issue, really, is what is being addressed in the verses above. When I have that posture in my heart, that what I am doing is supremely important, I'm really saying that I'm supremely important. I am (in my hear) putting myself above others. I am exalting myself to a god-like status. What cuts to the quick, is that Paul demolishes that evil mindset entirely. Even if I was somehow equal with God, that is still not an excuse, because Jesus was actually equal with God while He walked the earth, but He was still humbling Himself to serve others! The example we have in Christ Jesus, completely destroys any pretense of excuse for selfish posture in my heart. So, while verse 3 is very convicting (as is the rest of this chapter, up to the above passage), my real focus needs to be on the example I have in Christ, and allowing Him to continue reshaping my heart to resemble His.

P) Father, the depths of gospel never cease to amaze me. You continue to show more and more aspects of the perfection that is Your plan to redeem. Thank You for redeeming me, for opening my eyes to see the truth You have laid up. Thank You for continuing my education in You. Open my ears to continue hearing Your will. I welcome the conviction of the Holy Spirit within me, that You would discipline me as a son, so I will continue to grow into the likeness of Your Son. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/05/2014; Psalm 119:18

Today's reading: Ephesians 5, 6; Psalm 119:1-80

S) "¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law."

Psalm 119:18 (NASB)

O) This is the longest chapter in the Bible. In many ways, this Psalm could have been broken up into multiple chapt1ers, because it is a collection of song verses, of sorts, arranged as a sort of acrostic (each portion representing a different Hebrew letter). But, throughout the entire Psalm, there is a running theme of the value of God's Word. His statutes, laws, and precepts are celebrated throughout the chapter, with many, many attributes described. The above verse, however, holds one of the keys to it all. To understand that the words of the LORD are valuable, to see that there are wonderful things, even in the tough commandments He gives, is amazing grace.

A) This is a true desire of my heart, that I would be impressed by the LORD, and His words. It is only through grace, that I will see His words with wonder in my heart. That's what this verse is really saying. It's not simply respecting His Law, and it's about being awestruck. I want to marvel at Him, at His law, at His word, at Him. There are mysteries upon mysteries in His word. I know I will never full understand it, because that is the same as fully understanding Jesus Himself. But, I want to be enraptured by the Word. This verse is a prayer of my heart.

P) Father, I see dimly. I can vaguely see that Your words are wonderful. But, I want to see it clearly. I want to know it intimately. Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. Let it be according to Your will, Father God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/04/2014; Ephesians 1:18-19a

Today's reading: Ephesians 1, 2, 3, 4

S) "¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe..."

Ephesians 1:18-19a (NASB)

O) The letter to Ephasus starts with thanksgiving and praise, and then shifts to great encouragement. Paul noted how he prayed thanks for their church ceaselessly (v.16), and also that he prayed for them to have wisdom and revelation of knowledge (v.17). In the above verses, we get a sort of prayer model, seeing how He prayed for this church in some detail. In the remaining verses of the chapter, Paul gave some definition to the power of God, specific to the work of Jesus Christ. Even as it stands, the excerpt above is a great example of where to start, when it comes to our prayers for unbelievers. Conversion usually starts with the hope others see in us (because of the gospel), so that's where our prayers can start.

A) This will become a regular prayer. I am going to memorize this passage, and begin praying this scripture as I pray for my unsaved loved ones. There is no thing I can pray, that is more important than eternal salvation. I will be specific as I pray this from here forward. For today, I will pray for all of my loved ones, together.

P) Father, I pray that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened, so that they will know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of Your power toward us who believe. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/03/2014; Romans 16:17-18

Today's reading: Romans 13, 14, 15, 16

S) "¹⁷ Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. ¹⁸ For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."

Romans 16:17-18 (NASB)

O) What Paul was warning about, here, is essentially what the Pharisees had become to the Israelites. The problems of hypocrisy, greed, and elitism were not limited to the Pharisees alone. That is a human problem. So, just as the Israelites experienced, early Christians were seeing some leaders who were misusing the gospel as an opportunity to satisfy their own sinful desires. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome, that these misleading teachers would be subtle about their infiltration. He didn't simply warn against false teaching, but also to look for those who seem to initiate dissension and invite hindrances.

A) Perhaps the most alarming thing about this passage, comes at the very end. Paul said these deceivers would use smooth and flattering speech. That can be difficult to perceive, but Paul leaves a clue in his warning. He said it was the hearts of the unsuspecting that would be deceived. I cannot imagine that it is wise to have a suspecting posture in my everyday attitude; however, I think it is wise and protective, when it comes to any teachings from man, especially if it's presented as some "new" approach to the Bible, the gospel, worship, or prayer. It's important for me to be on my guard, relying on the Bible and the Holy Spirit, to guide and warn me about any false teachings. I have a responsibility to protect myself, and my family, from such deception.

P) Father, I am so thankful for Your written Word! Thank You for being perfectly truthful, purposeful, and faithful. Open my eyes to see any potential scheme of man or satan, that would try to infiltrate my life, family, or church. Open my ears to correctly hear the Holy Spirit, guiding me in the truth of Your written word, to recognize false teaching for what it is. Protect me from dangers seen or unseen, and by Your grace, keep me clear of dissensions and hindrances. May Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/02/2014; Romans 12:18

Today's reading: Romans 9, 10, 11, 12

S) "¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."

Romans 12:18 (NASB)

O) After going to great lengths to discuss the incredible grace that is involved in the salvation of the Gentiles (chapter 11), Paul begins listing commandments we are to obey (remembering of course, that it is the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul, as this is the inspired word of God). Not all of the verses around 18 are contextually related, exactly, so this one stands fairly well alone. While it has two clauses in it, the instruction itself is completely inclusive, "be at peace with all men." (i.e., mankind - emphasis added). While it might seem that the first portion of the verse is allowing for some leeway, I think it's really just placing more responsibility on us as individuals, to be proactive in making peace with others. If someone has a dispute with me, which is disrupting peace, I cannot simply claim innocence (although I may be innocent), and be done with the matter. If there is anything I can still do to be reconciled to that person, to reestablish peace (even if I carry no fault), then it is my responsibility to make peace.

A) For many years, I simply didn't care what other people thought of me (or much else, really). To me it seemed, that if I didn't care about someone else's opinion of me, then there was no conflict. A person could truly despise me, but if I didn't feel the same about them, I considered that to be just fine, even peaceful. As the LORD has changed my heart, though, and as I read more and more Scripture (like the verse above), it has become very clear to me that I have more responsibility with this topic than I previously knew. If someone holds something against me, if possible, I need to go do whatever I can to make peace with that person. It is not enough for me to simply not care about their opinion. I cannot simply think well of them, while they are bitter toward me, and think that I have done my part (since I am not reciprocating the bitterness). The main purpose in my life is to glorify God. He is glorified most in these conflicts, when I am humbling myself toward others, and seeking to be at peace with them. Sometimes, my best efforts will remain unfruitful - there is just no pleasing some people. However, I am not omniscient. I won't know for sure until I try. Also, God could very likely have more purpose in my obedience, than what my own eyes perceive. And so, I obey the command to do whatever is possible, within my ability, to establish peace with others.

P) Father, the grace of Your love is evident in my heart. I can see clearly, how much You have changed my perception - especially regarding my view of others. It humbles me, to remember how callous I was in my relationships. Thank You for taking my heart of stone, and giving me a heart of flesh. Open my eyes to see when people are bitter toward me, or where there is conflict, or a general lack of peace. Open my ears, to hear Your instruction and guidance, so that I can - if possible - reestablish peace with every person. Let me start this with the people closest to me. Establish Your peace in my home, and let me be a good steward of that peace, that I am actively working to maintain it. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/01/2014; Romans 6:12-14

Today's reading: Romans 5, 6, 7, 8

S) " ¹¹ Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.


¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, ¹³ and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."

Romans 6:11-14 (NASB)

O) In verses 1-10, Paul establishes in greater detail, the concept that we are dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, as His disciples. Taking that simple, yet powerful, concept to heart (v.11), we see the next three verses unfold to greater effect. Paul is establishing the practical side of walking in victory over sin. The truth is simple, and the instruction is direct. Keeping this passage as a focus (particularly v.11), is the key to walking in this truth.

A) Knowing a rule only takes a person so far. Understanding why a rule is, will carry much further. Some time ago, I committed vv.12-14 to memory, but not v.11. Consequently, I don't think the verses were affecting me the way they could have. When I was memorizing, I was breaking down the passage into sections, memorizing larger and larger chunks of it. As I was doing it, I was repeating sections a lot, which made a good impression. While reading today though, at every comma, semicolon, and period, I was pausing for a second to re-read v.11 as I was reading through the paragraph. It was a powerful exercise, for sure.
To be clear, I AM NOT SUGGESTING SOME KIND OF RE-WRITE TO HOLY SCRIPTURE.
This is an exercise in meditation and memorization, to remember verses more completely. It would read something like this,
"¹¹ Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts. Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, ¹³ and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, [and] present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead. Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, and [present] your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, ¹⁴ For sin shall not be master over you. Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, for you are not under law but under grace."

P) Father, the victory I have been given in Christ Jesus is powerful, indeed. I do not want to neglect how I am even able to obey, as I try to white-knuckle my way through temptations. I want to remember the amazing grace I have through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; that grace gives me the ability to walk in obedience to these other verses. Help me to remember this passage entirely, and make it quite real to me, by the Holy Spirit. Let this passage, including verse 11, be planted firmly in my heart, and bring it to mind for me often. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/30/2014; Romans 3:27-28

Today's reading: Romans 1, 2, 3, 4

S) "²⁷ Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. ²⁸ For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law."

 Romans 3:27-28 (NASB)

O) This is a summary statement for a very dense passage (vv.21-26), wherein Paul describes justification by faith. He also describes the grace involved, as the faith is credited to us as righteousness, not earned as righteousness. This leaves us with the above verses. Paul is making a very clear point that we cannot claim our salvation as something we have done for ourselves. Because of that, we have no place to boast. We are not justified by what we do, because that would be earning justification, which we can never do.

A) Boasting is excluded. There is no more simple way to put it, than that. I cannot claim any part in my own salvation. The only difference between where I am in my faith, and where an unbeliever is in there faith, is the grace I have received. I am justified by a faith that was given to me in grace. This is a relief, on the days when I am struggling with sin a lot. This is a conviction on the days when I am being prideful about - anything. I am who I am, because God is who He is.

P) Father, on those rare occasions when I am seeing things more clearly, I am humbled by the grace You have had in my life. Open my eyes to see, and my ears to hear, so that I can more fully appreciate the gift of faith You have placed in me, and the justification in righteousness that is credited because of my faith in Jesus Christ. Help me to correctly convey Your grace to others. I want to clearly state, in all humility, that I did not justify myself. That all I have done on my own is try to ruin my life. Help me to correctly glorify Your name, especially when it comes to sharing the gospel and giving my testimony. Be glorified, and may Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.