In the passage for today, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Paul writes to encourage his readers. He encourages them to join in his example regarding his actions. Earlier on in this epistle, Paul mentions his own upcoming death sentence and notes that his imprisonment has actually, “served to advance the Gospel.”
In the same vein of support, Paul seeks to encourage Christians even in the face of denial and the enemies of the cross of Christ. He notes suffering as his example, an example we must all follow. Paul makes no apologies for the difficulty of the path of God, and although Paul’s struggles with imprisonment and death may seem more serious than our own struggles through the season of Lent, they both have their roles to play. Lent may not bring an omen of death for all of us, as it did to Jesus, but whatever our struggles we must not let the enemies of the cross cause us to lose heart.
Though Lent may seem to be a difficult time, we can also recognize that “our citizenship is in heaven.” We are not people whose minds should be, “set on earthly things.” Instead, we “stand firm in the Lord,” and seek hope during Lent.
Thank you for the reminder that our minds should be with the “true” end in sight and in spite of suffering to stand firm. May God give you more wisdom as you grow in him.
Thanks for your words of encouragement today!
Brian, I am sitting in a Seattle coffee shop right now, reading your meditation. So greetings from your hometown! (It is overcast, surprisingly.) Thanks for providing the context of this scripture. I had read it previously in isolation. It’s a wonderful reminder of what kingdom we are citizens of–not empire, not nations, not a culture of greed and self-fulfillment first. Thanks for bringing the perspective I needed before preaching this Sunday.