Thursday after Populus Sion, The Second Sunday in Advent
Posted on December 12, 2019 by under
Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18 (NKJV)
2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
Devotion
This passage speaks of obedience. We should not see this only as obedience to St. Paul personally. The Philippians were obedient in that way, certainly, but it is also about obedience to the Word of God. St. Paul admonishes them to hold “fast the word of life.” Obedience to God’s Word is where life is found. The Christian bows his heart and his mind to the Word of God. He or she accepts that holy Word as authority, and does not sit in judgment over what God has said. Of course, we understand any given passage of Scripture in its context. This is simply sound interpretation. But after one understands the context of any given passage, one does not try to evade or rationalize away the implications of that Scripture. No matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable, God’s Word remains, and it speaks truth in our dark world. We do not have the right or ability to stand in judgment over His Word.
The proper response to God’s Word is humble obedience. Humble obedience, whether we understand His will or not. Humble obedience, whether it makes sense to us or not. Humble obedience, whether the rest of the world calls it humble obedience, or denounces it as ignorance, arrogance, bigotry, or hatred. Christians follow the way of humble obedience to Christ regardless of the criticism or opposition.
We pray: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
