This is How You Stand Firm

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he shares one thing he does: he forgets everything behind and focuses on what is ahead. That is good advice for all of us because the past often hinders us from going forward. Paul would say to you today: “Forget the past and let Jesus help you move forward!”

Paul encourages these young believers to place all their confidence in Christ rather than in their own strength. The Apostle did that once, believing he was faultless in his obedience to the law, and then he met Jesus. Here is his testimony:

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:7-11).

For Paul is Jesus; focusing on Jesus is his goal, and Christ is the prize Philippians 3:13-17). The Apostle encourages the believers in Philippi to follow his example and that of other mature Christians. Paul makes it clear that he does not consider himself a perfect example, but rather one who is truly committed to Christ.

At the same time, Paul warns these believers that there are enemies of Jesus living around us. They live for the moment because they only think about earthly things. We, however, are citizens of heaven and live in the anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ, who will one day come and transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:17-22).

Then Paul says, “that is how you should stand firm in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1). With all our confidence in Christ—forgetting what is behind; grateful we know him and excited about his coming- we stand firm. This is what we look forward to and wait for. This is what keeps us going. This is what we get up to and start another day. 

Author of Crianza Responsiva:

https://www.amazon.com/Crianza-Responsiva-Principios-conectados-saludables-ebook/dp/B08FW8Q7D5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=crianza+responsiva&qid=1610663595&sr=8-1

Accommodation

Life is about 5% of what we plan for and 95% of what we don’t. Life has a way of throwing undesirable events into our lives unexpectedly. Successfully living is about our ability to deal with the unexpected. We have to accommodate for these things. It is God who gives us the knowledge and strength to respond. If a person does not adapt but instead becomes bitter, they will lose their enjoyment and sense of purpose in life.

If a person suffers a traumatic event, they will often suffer intrusive and painful thoughts about the event until they can accommodate what happened. Through accommodation, they can make some meaning out of the meaningless event. Unfortunately, some people are never able to do this in the face of the tragedies of their lives. Even though the years pass, time brings no healing. Instead, they experience distress from their memories of those traumatic events. They blame others, they blame God, or even themselves, which brings anger and guilt. These intrusive memories work with a domino effect and trigger feelings of loss or shame.

The Bible gives us a wonderful picture of how God deals with traumatic events in our lives through the word "redemption." When God redeems us, he accommodates the meaningless events of our lives. God has the ultimate power to take whatever we give him and make something meaningful out of it. When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he said this: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Eph. 1:7).

Nowhere do we see the price of our redemption clearer than in the sufferings of Jesus. His suffering was colossal and incomparable, but it was to help us accommodate the meaningless transgressions of our lives. Jesus not only suffered for us, but also showed us how to suffer. He never lost control, never became resentful or vengeful of those who hurt him.

God is at work in those who are committed to Him and who trust Him. Paul wrote the Philippians these wise words: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act to fulfill his good purpose” Philippians (2:12-13).

The belief that God is at work in my life gives me hope. It tells me I am not alone. It tells me that he is helping me to live in a way that fulfills His purpose in my life. It tells me that he is helping me cope with all the unexpected things that happen in life.

 

Author of Crianza Responsiva:

https://www.amazon.com/Crianza-Responsiva-Principios-conectados-saludables-ebook/dp/B08FW8Q7D5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=crianza+responsiva&qid=1610663595&sr=8-1