Thursday, November 13, 2008
Philippians 1:27-30
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (ESV)
by Angie Osborn
I found the wording of verse 29 to be interesting. It says, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” Generally when I think of being granted something, it has positive connotations. You know: granted 3 wishes, your requested was granted—but granted to suffer for Christ? That seems like an oxymoron! However, the reality is that it is a privilege to suffer for Christ. He has given us more than we can imagine. He suffered on the cross for our sins and paid the price of our sin. Christ made it possible for us to be right with God and to spend eternity with him. So, if we are called to suffer for him, we should see it as a gift-a chance to give back a small piece of what he has given us.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
