December 7, 2024 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Philippians

Philippians 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Paul writes to the church of Philippi encouraging them to be followers together with him.

Who or what was Paul following?

There are many different ways and people and philosophies, and ideologies, and social venues that people follow. Paul says follow with me and others who are ensamples or examples of Christ.

There is an admonishment here as well. He writes to say there are those who follow their belly; it means they follow their own desires, they live to please themselves. Their desires have become their god. They glory in shameful things and mind earthly things.

What are those shameful and earthly things? The answer can be found in I John.

1John 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

The end result of this type of living is destructive. Philippians 3:19a  Whose end is destruction…

However, those who follow Christ as Paul says, follow unto life.

Philippians 3:20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

My believing friend, set your conversation/manner of living in such a way that people would want to follow.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook