σκύβαλα

though I have good reason to have this kind of confidence. If anyone else has reason to put their confidence in physical advantages, I have even more:
I was circumcised on the eighth day.
I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin.
I am a Hebrew of the Hebrews.
With respect to observing the Law, I’m a Pharisee.
With respect to devotion to the faith, I harassed the church.
With respect to righteousness under the Law, I’m blameless.
These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ. But even beyond that, I consider everything a loss in comparison with the superior value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost everything for him, but what I lost I think of as sewer trash, so that I might gain Christ and be found in him. In Christ I have a righteousness that is not my own and that does not come from the Law but rather from the faithfulness of Christ. It is the righteousness of God that is based on faith. The righteousness that I have comes from knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the participation in his sufferings. It includes being conformed to his death so that I may perhaps reach the goal of the resurrection of the dead. It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose. Brothers and sisters, I myself don’t think I’ve reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me. The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:4b-14, CEB)

Paul uses the word σκύβαλα in this passage and it is not used in any other book in the bible or really in any extra-biblical books either. Above in the CEB it is translated as sewer trash. In the NRSV it is rubbish, in the KJV it is dung.

Paul is talking about his list of things that make him righteous. He has the best lineage and has done everything right according to the law. Yet all of that doesn’t matter because Christ paid the price and made him right with God. All of the stuff he said made him right are sewer trash, rubbish, or dung. The meaning of the word σκύβαλα is slang and most likely today we would say shit. Paul uses a slang street term that is something people would say a good follower of Jesus shouldn’t say to make a point. Everything that was important is shit compared to what I have in Jesus.

Be salty. And share the love.

Loving People. Loving God.

witness

When some in the crowd heard these words, they said, “This man is truly the prophet.” Others said, “He’s the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ can’t come from Galilee, can he? Didn’t the scripture say that the Christ comes from David’s family and from Bethlehem, David’s village?” So the crowd was divided over Jesus. Some wanted to arrest him, but no one grabbed him. The guards returned to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked, “Why didn’t you bring him?” The guards answered, “No one has ever spoken the way he does.” The Pharisees replied, “Have you too been deceived? Have any of the leaders believed in him? Has any Pharisee? No, only this crowd, which doesn’t know the Law. And they are under God’s curse!” Nicodemus, who was one of them and had come to Jesus earlier, said, “Our Law doesn’t judge someone without first hearing him and learning what he is doing, does it?” They answered him, “You are not from Galilee too, are you? Look it up and you will see that the prophet doesn’t come from Galilee.” (John 7:40-52, CEB)

Who is a witness?

Who is a disciple?

Well, that depends on what we are a witness to and a disciple to. Here I am asking about who is a witness to Jesus and who is a disciple of Jesus?

In this passage, I believe Nicodemus is a witness and a disciple. He is standing up for Jesus in front of the Jewish high council.

They wanted Jesus arrested and brought before them, and it didn’t happen, and Nicodemus says that we can not condemn someone without hearing them first. He is advocating for Jesus.

Do you advocate for Jesus?

Loving People. Loving God.

Without…

Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world because you hold on to the word of life. This will allow me to say on the day of Christ that I haven’t run for nothing or worked for nothing. But even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon the altar of service for your faith, I am glad. I’m glad with all of you. You should be glad about this in the same way. Be glad with me! So then, my brothers and sisters, be glad in the Lord. It’s no trouble for me to repeat the same things to you because they will help keep you on track. Watch out for the “dogs.” Watch out for people who do evil things. Watch out for those who insist on circumcision, which is really mutilation. We are the circumcision. We are the ones who serve by God’s Spirit and who boast in Christ Jesus. We don’t put our confidence in rituals performed on the body, though I have good reason to have this kind of confidence. (Philippians 2:14-18; 3:1-4a, CEB)

This is a lesson I need to learn. Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. The ministry I serve is at a very conservative campus and we are a Reconciling in Christ Ministry, meaning we welcome everyone and everyone belongs as they are. We are on campus almost every Wednesday to pass out popsicles and with our RIC logo on a poster we have we usually get one person ask us about our beliefs, which usually leads to me getting agitated and argumentative. And this doesn’t help anyone or anything. I need to learn to follow my advice from yesterday and “Shake the dust off your feet and walk away…” This would be fruitful for all and help to stay blameless.

Fighting doesn’t help build up the body of Christ. We can not remain silent but at what point do we concede and walk away? We need to watch out for evil, and maybe point it out but if evil is causing arguments, when do we step away? Our hope is in Jesus and Jesus said if they don’t accept you, shake off the dust and walk away. I need to learn to walk away form those who will not engage in conversation.

Love always and share that love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Don’t let anyone judge you…

So don’t let anyone judge you about eating or drinking or about a festival, a new moon observance, or sabbaths. These religious practices are only a shadow of what was coming—the body that cast the shadow is Christ. Don’t let anyone who wants to practice harsh self-denial and worship angels rob you of the prize. They go into detail about what they have seen in visions and have become unjustifiably arrogant by their selfish way of thinking. They don’t stay connected to the head. The head nourishes and supports the whole body through the joints and ligaments, so the body grows with a growth that is from God. If you died with Christ to the way the world thinks and acts, why do you submit to rules and regulations as though you were living in the world? “Don’t handle!” “Don’t taste!” “Don’t touch!” All these things cease to exist when they are used. Such rules are human commandments and teachings. They look like they are wise with this self-made religion and their self-denial by the harsh treatment of the body, but they are no help against indulging in selfish immoral behavior. (Colossians 2:16-23, CEB)

Such rules are human commandments and teachings, but they do not help against indulging in selfish immoral behavior. We need to not allow human conditions to keep us from what Christ has called us to. I love how the author here says do not let anyone who wants to practice harsh sefl-denial and worship angels rob you of the prize. Don’t let those who follow after what society has been taught is right and thus force the world to be to keep you from being who God has called you to be.

Shake the dust off your feet and walk away…

Loving People. Loving God.

Question

People brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a cot. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man who was paralyzed, “Be encouraged, my child, your sins are forgiven.” Some legal experts said among themselves, “This man is insulting God.” But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you fill your minds with evil things? Which is easier—to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so you will know that the Human One has authority on the earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“Get up, take your cot, and go home.” The man got up and went home. When the crowds saw what had happened, they were afraid and praised God, who had given such authority to human beings. (Matthew 9:2-8, CEB)

The religious leaders were questioning Jesus’ authority. So Jesus showed all around that not only is it easy to forgive sin, but he also has the power to heal. But this is not the most interesting thing about this text for me today.

Did the paralyzed man ask to be healed or for his sins to be forgiven? No. Nor did any of those who brought him. Jesus saw the faith of those who brought him because they had faith that Jesus could heal him, and because of that, Jesus forgave him and healed him. It wasn’t the man’s faith but the faith of the community. It is not my faith, but the faith of the community.

Those in power in the community want to keep those who are inferior in places of control. If the community works together then those in power will not have that power anymore and that is a place of fear. When the faith of others builds up the community, those in power will be in a place to possibly lose that power. Because we are all in the body together and no one is greater than another.

Do not be afraid, but build each other up. That is what God wants. Love to be freely shared.

Loving People. Loving God.

glad

Some certainly preach Christ with jealous and competitive motives, but others preach with good motives. They are motivated by love, because they know that I’m put here to give a defense of the gospel; the others preach Christ because of their selfish ambition. They are insincere, hoping to cause me more pain while I’m in prison. What do I think about this? Just this: since Christ is proclaimed in every possible way, whether from dishonest or true motives, I’m glad and I’ll continue to be glad. I’m glad because I know that this will result in my release through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. It is my expectation and hope that I won’t be put to shame in anything. Rather, I hope with daring courage that Christ’s greatness will be seen in my body, now as always, whether I live or die. Because for me, living serves Christ and dying is even better. (Philippians 1:15-21, CEB)

“Some certainly preach Christ with jealous and competitive motives, but others preach with good motives.” And this makes Paul glad because in all things Christ is preached. Because when people hear about God and the love God has for them, their lives are changed.

But sitting in Texas where people are not allowed to be who they know they are and people tell them until they change they will not be loved by God, I’m not sure just the preaching of Jesus will be enough. Saying God loves you while also saying your lifestyle is not one that God loves is not helpful, but hurtful. The other day I saw a video online that said “if the way you love your neighbor causes your neighbor to want to die, it is not love. I don’t care what Bible verse you quote, I don’t care how many Bible verses you quote, if your definition of love causes the death of others it is not love it is cruel and evil and has no place in the kingdom that Jesus talked about.” Hatred has no place in the kingdom.

The preaching Paul talks about is love that God has for all creation, not just those who agree with him or look like him or act like him. All creation.

So love. And allow those around you to feel that love and see that love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Together

I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now. I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. I have good reason to think this way about all of you because I keep you in my heart. You are all my partners in God’s grace, both during my time in prison and in the defense and support of the gospel. God is my witness that I feel affection for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God. Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that the things that have happened to me have actually advanced the gospel. The whole Praetorian Guard and everyone else knows that I’m in prison for Christ. Most of the brothers and sisters have had more confidence through the Lord to speak the word boldly and bravely because of my jail time. (Philippians 1:3-14, CEB)

We do not go through this life alone.

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and people who journey with us.

And God who started a good work in you will bring it to completion. So know you are never alone.

Together we can use our gifts, build each other up, and change the world with God’s love.

Loving People. Loving God.

integrity

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:

Though he was in the form of God,
        he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
But he emptied himself
        by taking the form of a slave
        and by becoming like human beings.
When he found himself in the form of a human,
        he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
        even death on a cross.
Therefore, God highly honored him
        and gave him a name above all names,
    so that at the name of Jesus everyone
        in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow
        and every tongue confess
            that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more while I am away, carry out your own salvation with fear and trembling. God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes. (Philippians 2:1-13, CEB)

Got to love translations.

‘thinking the same way’, ‘agreeing with each other’, and ‘Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus’ all have the same word in them from the Greek. φρονέω a derivative of φρον which means thoughtful thinking means “to employ one’s faculty for thoughtful planning, with emphasis upon the underlying disposition or attitude — ‘to have an attitude, to think in a particular manner.’” And the scholars who translated this text where Paul uses the word three times decided to use a different way each time. Be of the same mind is the NRSV and it is close with the second of one mind, and the third is same mind. At least the NRSV always uses mind with a sub of one and same. Which is close. Unlike the CEB above.

All of this is to say what is Paul really getting at here? We need to have an attitude that we will always do what Jesus is guiding us even when people aren’t looking. Even when it won’t get us anything. Even when it is just us we get to impress. We should have the attitude of Jesus, who stepped down from the throne and became just like us. So he could show us how to live. In any moral dilemma, there is a correct answer. And that is what we do regardless of who is watching.

integrity

Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem again. As Jesus was walking around the temple, the chief priests, legal experts, and elders came to him. They asked, “What kind of authority do you have for doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I have a question for you. Give me an answer, then I’ll tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They argued among themselves, “If we say, ‘It’s of heavenly origin,’ he’ll say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But we can’t say, ‘It’s of earthly origin.’” They said this because they were afraid of the crowd, because they all thought John was a prophet. They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things.” (Mark 11:27-33, CEB)

I love this passage because it shows the leadership speaking to Jesus doesn’t have integrity. Because they are worried what the right answer is for the people and Jesus. Their answer depends on what will keep them in power and in the good light of who they need to be. It isn’t just their answer.

There should be no going back and forth over the answer. it should be what the answer is.

Have integrity and do what is right even when no one is looking.

Loving People. Loving God.

put right

“We proclaim to you the good news. What God promised to our ancestors, he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it was written in the second psalm, You are my son; today I have become your father. “God raised Jesus from the dead, never again to be subjected to death’s decay. Therefore, God said, I will give to you the holy and firm promises I made to David. In another place it is said, You will not let your holy one experience death’s decay. David served God’s purpose in his own generation, then he died and was buried with his ancestors. He experienced death’s decay, but the one whom God has raised up didn’t experience death’s decay. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, know this: Through Jesus we proclaim forgiveness of sins to you. From all those sins from which you couldn’t be put in right relationship with God through Moses’ Law, through Jesus everyone who believes is put in right relationship with God. Take care that the prophets’ words don’t apply to you: Look, you scoffers, marvel and die. I’m going to do work in your day — a work you won’t believe even if someone told you.” (Acts 13:32-41, CEB)

Through Jesus, everyone who believes is put in right relationship with God.

Who believes. Do you always believe? Did the thief on the cross believe in Jesus?

We could probably go back and forth on if the thief believed, and to what extent he believed in Jesus. He believed Jesus was innocent. And that brings up a good point to what extent do we have to believe in Jesus?

And isn’t belief in Jesus a work we do? And would we believe if someone told us?

Is it about belief or is it about grace and God doing something miraculous? The reading says everyone who believes in Jesus, but before that it says Through Jesus we proclaim forgiveness of sins to you. Nothing about belief.

If it depends on me, I will always fail, but it doesn’t. It depends on God and in God we can have faith.

Loving People. Loving God.