Christ's Law

.
● Phil 2:4 . . Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others.

The "others" in that verse are exclusive. Paul's directive pertains only to the
fraternity to whom he penned his letter; viz: "saints in Christ Jesus . . together with
the overseers and deacons" (Phil 1:1)

Seeing as how The Lord expressly forbids selfish ambition amongst his own, then
before proceeding to implement an idea, be very sure to ponder all the possible
ramifications of your actions first; and for sure avoid Machiavellian thinking that
asserts the end justifies the means. Also to be avoided is the tiresome excuse that
what you're doing is for the greater good; which has a lot in common with
collectivism wherein the individual is marginalized and has little to no value.

Stepping on people's toes, and/or thwarting their ideas so that yours prevail, fails
to satisfy the law of Christ; which requires his followers to have the same care for
their fellows as Christ cares for them (John 15:12). It also fails to satisfy the
Golden Rule which says: So in everything, do to others what you would have them
do to you. (Matt 7:12). Always looking out for No.1 just simply isn't very nice.
_
 
.
● Phil 2:5-8 . .Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being
in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in
human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and
became obedient to death-- even death on a cross.

That's an interesting contrast between Christ and Adam. He and his wife made a
definite grab for equality with God. (Gen 3:4-5)

It's just amazing how well Christ played down his origin and conducted himself as a
common man. Even the people with whom Jesus grew up in his home town were
highly doubtful Jesus was so well connected because there was really nothing
particularly distinctive about him to indicate he was a divine aristocrat.

"There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract
us to him." (Isa 53:2)

"They said: Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?
How can he now say: I came down from heaven?" (John 6:42)

And his cousin John, whom he'd known since childhood, had no clue that Jesus was
the very person for whom he was the forerunner.

"I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with
water told me:" (John 1:33)

During the thirty years leading up to Jesus' public ministry, he could've easily made
a name for himself, but didn't because that wasn't his superior's time for it.

"I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who
sent me." (John 6:38)

Point being: we should avoid striving to be the big man on campus; so to speak.
_
 
.
● Phil 2:12 . . As you have always obeyed-- work out your own salvation with fear
and trembling

FAQ: Seeing as how Christ paid with his life the penalty for every sin that his
followers committed in the past, plus every sin they are committing now, and every
sin they will commit in the future; and God is no longer building an indictment
against them, then what's left to work out?

REPLY: A rapport with God, and a life of piety. (Gen 17:1, Rom 6:1-23)

FAQ: What's with the fear and trembling?

REPLY: That was one of Paul's favorite colloquialisms; for example:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him
crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling." (1Cor 2:3-4)

And another:

"Bond servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye-service, as
men-pleasers, but as bond servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
with goodwill doing service, as to The Lord, and not to men."(Eph 6:5-8)

"fear, and in trembling" doesn't mean Paul recommends shivering in terror and
anxiety like a frightened gerbil; but that a believer's attitude should be free of
pride, arrogance, and conceit, i.e. free of a superiority complex and/or a master
race mentality; for example:

Paul was very courteous to the Corinthians and came to them not as a celebrity
even though he was one of The Lord's hand-picked apostles and they were a bunch
of pagan heathens at the time who deserved nothing but the cold shoulder. Paul's
attitude rubbed off on the Corinthians because they in turn deferred to Paul's
associates with fear and trembling just as he had treated them all at one time.

"I had boasted to [Titus] about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as
everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved
to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers
that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling." (2Cor 7:14-15)

So then, what we're talking about here with "fear and trembling" is honor, respect,
submission, deference, and reverence rather than terror and anxiety; and those
attitudes are actually inferred in one of the Beatitudes.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:3)
_
 
.
● Phil 2:14 . . Do everything without grumbling or debating

It used to be an unwritten rule in the US Army that GIs could complain all they
wanted just so long as they did what they were told. Well; Christ isn't pleased with
that.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for
men." (Col 3:23)

The problem with grumbling is that it's an attitude of rebellion; for example:

"And the people spoke against God and Moses saying: Why have you brought us up
out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we
loathe this miserable food." (Num 21:5-6)

Well; long story short, God dealt with the people's grumbling by sending a swarm
of deadly reptiles among them, and many were bitten and died because the venom
wasn't just lethal, it was 100% fatal.

The Greek word translated "debating" is sometimes translated "evil thoughts" for
example:

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications,
thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (Matt 15:19)

Evil thoughts sometimes keep people awake at night as they obsessively re-wind
and re-play a conflict with somebody over, and over, and over again in their heads.
_
 
.
● Phil 3:1 . . Finally, my brethren, rejoice in The Lord!

The Greek word for "brethren" is a masculine noun for a male relative. But its use is
flexible, e.g. when Paul wrote to a church, he oftentimes addressed the entire
congregation by that word-- sort of like how the word "Man" speaks of the whole of
humanity regardless of age, race, and/or gender identity.

Rejoicing "in The Lord" is way different than rejoicing in yourself; which is
vulnerable to one's mood and/or circumstances. The Lord once told his disciples
that they shouldn't rejoice that demons obeyed them; but that their names were
written in Heaven.

To wit:

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
(Col 3:1-4)

That passage could be said to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say:
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
(Horatio P. Spafford, 1828-1888)
_
 
.
● Phil 3:2a . . Beware of dogs,

The beasts we're talking about here are treacherous. (Matt 7:6)

They're a class of rather impious folk who not only don't want to hear what you
have to say, but will take drastic steps if necessary to insure you have no say;
using methods like censoring, canceling, shouting, bull horns, spurious legal
procedures, imprisonment, slander, a hoax, and even assassination, i.e. whatever
it takes to thwart your influence, destroy your credibility, and suppress your
thoughts. For example Jesus' opponents among the Jews.

"Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced
my hands and my feet." (Ps 22:16)

Jesus' opponents were counting on trumped-up charges and execution to silence
him once and for all while never dreaming he would become even more effective by
his resurrection. But this gives us an idea of how low that dogs are willing to go in
order to accomplish their ends.

Dogs turn up again at Rev 22:15 as unfit to enter the holy city; possibly because of
the uncivilized nature of their conduct. In other words: they're a very real and
present danger to decent folks; especially to the genuinely God-fearing elements of
society.
_
 
.
● Phil 3:2b . . Beware of evil workers,

"evil workers" probably refers to ersatz missionaries like Mormons and Jehovah's
Witnesses. In the apostles' day, it was followers of Judaism going about disputing
with Christians; e.g. Acts 15:1.
_
 
.
● Phil 3:2c . . Beware of mutilation.

Mutilation in this particular instance isn't criminal mischief, rather; it refers to
voluntary ritual circumcision; viz: initiation into the covenant that Moses' people
agreed upon with God per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. There
were Jews in various cities back in the apostles' era telling Christians that
protection from the sum of all fears depends upon circumcision.

"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said,
Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." (Acts
15:1)

The apostles disagreed.

"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled
you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep
the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:" (Acts 15:24)

The primary reason the apostles disagreed is simply because Christians don't
associate with God via Moses' covenant, rather; they associate with God via a new
covenant.
_
 
.
● Phil 3:17 . . Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of
those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you
before, and now say, again even with tears: many live as enemies of the cross of
Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their appetites, and their glory is in
their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

* The Greek word translated "brothers" technically pertains to one's male kin or to
one's fellow members of a college fraternity or an outlaw biker club like The
Mongols. However, when Paul wrote to congregations, his use of the word
commonly pertained to both genders sort of like how "man" pertains to both
genders as they are defined in the early chapters of Genesis. (e.g. Gen 5:1-2)

The Greek word translated "appetites" not only refers to one's tummy, but also the
natural urges everyone experiences due to human nature. Natural urges are a force
to be reckoned with. For example: libido is just as strong a motivation for marriage
as it is for adultery. Hunger is just as strong a motivation for nourishment as it is
for gluttony. Ambition is just as strong a motivation for legitimate success as it is
for fraud.

"glory" is somewhat ambiguous. It can indicate illumination and it can indicate
credit where credit is due. For example the universe proclaims the glory of God, i.e.
it speaks of intelligent design without par. But when a politician throws scruples to
the wind and achieves office by dishonest means, they have nothing to brag about,
i.e. they're a disgrace; and sometimes even downright criminal.
_
 
.
● Phil 4:4 . . Rejoice in the Lord always. I say again: Rejoice!

Words and grammar in the Bible convey information; otherwise language serves no
useful purpose. When the apostle Paul says "always" he means always or he
wouldn't say it like that. So then, part-time rejoicing in the Lord fails to comply.

Now the thing is: rejoicing in the Lord is not the same as rejoicing in life. In point of
fact, there's really not all that much to be perpetually happy about in life on earth.

"Utter futility! --said Koheleth-- Utter futility! All is futile! What real value is there
for a man in all the gains he makes beneath the sun?" (Ecc 1:2-3)

We can name lots of things in life that bring us happiness and satisfaction, but it's
all fleeting, i.e. it's all temporary, viz: transient. There's very little that brings us
lasting happiness and satisfaction. And then on top of that, there's the specter of
death; viz: it's only a matter of time when our life on earth-- everything we've
accomplished, everything we've accumulated, and everyone we've ever known --is
separated from us like a young military recruit's hair falling to the floor in a Marine
Corps barber shop.

The negativity of life on earth can be greatly moderated by always keeping one's
eye on the future as it's revealed in the teachings of Christianity's lord and master.

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that
your own joy might be full." (John 15:11)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

For example: the current political situation in my country is rapidly approaching
critical mass, so to speak. It's as if The Lord has sent a myriad of evil spirits into
the minds of many of America's movers and shakers similar to what He did with
Saul in the book of 1Samuel. How our situation eventually plays out is anybody's
guess but at least we are assured that no matter how much worse things become,
none of it will indicate that God is out to harm folks unified with His son. No; we are
but collateral damage forced to endure strong winds of change thru no fault of our
own. (Rom 8:35-39)
_
 
.
● Phil 4:5 . . Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Greek word translated "gentleness" basically means mild.

Webster's defines "mild" as gentle in nature or behavior, moderate in action or
effect; not sharp or bitter, i.e. mellow; which is just the opposite of fierce, harsh,
rough, scathing, mean, abrasive, stormy, intemperate, strict, reactive and/or
severe.

Though a mild/mellow person is affable, they aren't necessarily a wimp; no, they're
just not easy to provoke. The quite opposite would be a thin skinned, defensive
personality that goes to war at the drop of a hat.

Mild people don't threaten, nor come at you with bared teeth and narrowed eyes.
They're reasonable and rational, rather than emotional and frightening. Assertive,
confrontational people have no clue what it is to be mild; and those are the very
ones losing sleep with evil thoughts as they obsessively re-wind and re-play a
conflict with somebody in their heads over, and over, and over again rehearsing
things they should've said, and would've said, had they thought of them.

"Blessed are the meek." (Matt 5:5)

Moses was meek (Num 12:3) and Christ was meek (Matt 11:29, Matt 21:5).
Personally I wouldn't categorize either of those two men as meek. So then, what
really is meekness?

Primarily, to be meek, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to be temperate; yet firm
when necessary. A temperate person isn't eo ipso a cowering milk toast. Anybody
who's studied the life of Moses and Jesus can easily testify that neither of those
men were timid; no, they walked softly but carried a big stick, so to speak. Never
mistake true meekness for a yellow streak.

Jacob and his dad Isaac were temperate men; but could be very strong when the
situation called for it. Temperate people pick their battles carefully, and never
waste anger and energy on trifles.

There are Christians in this world who're simply implacable. They just cannot live
and let live. Turning the other cheek is to them a worn-out cliché that no one takes
seriously anymore. For them rivalry, conflict, revenge, competition, retaliation,
recriminations, and grudging are a way of life: every disagreement is an act of war
--they're peevish, emotional, bitter, harsh, unloving, cruel, thoughtless, and
reactive; and they thrive on complaining, criticizing, chafing, carping, finding fault,
tattling, bickering, retort upon retort, rejoinder upon rejoinder, sarcasm, endless
debate, dredging up old unresolved conflicts, gainsaying, and getting in people's
faces and giving them a piece of their mind.

It seems like those people are always getting indignant about some petty outrage
or another. Well; those kinds of Christians are definitely not in the "gentle"
category. They're hellish, toxic demons who relish letting their wrath be evident to
all instead of gentleness because when they're upset; they want everybody to know
it.
_
 
.
● Phil 4:6-7 . . Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.

I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer Nov 2022.

At the time, I was devastated; so much so that I feared a nervous breakdown and
seriously considered suicide by drowning myself in the bathtub because if you know
anything about esophageal cancer, then you know that the condition is bad enough
whereas some of the treatment options are worse.

Well; as it turned out Phil 4:6-7 was my safety net-- not by reciting scripted
prayers. I obtained freedom from anxiety by telling God in my own words exactly
how I felt: straight from the shoulder, man to man.
_
 
.
● Phil 4:8 . . Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy --think about such things.

I think we may take Phil 4:8 to mean that Christ's followers should make an effort
to remember the Bible's values and its principles, i.e. not let them go in one ear
and out the other; which is somewhat similar to Deut 11:18-20 where Moses'
people were urged to make use of every opportunity to meditate upon God's ways
so as not to forget them and thus neglect their practice.
_
 
.
● Phil 4:9 . . Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in
me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I think Paul often spoke from experience. In other words; he didn't just believe
what he taught, but he knew what he talking about as someone who tasted the
goods.

Sometimes I think that too many Christians are somehow under the impression
that the New Testament's epistles are not all that important in matters related to
faith and practice. They've made the Sermon On The Mount their religion and they
think that's all they need. But if they want the God of peace to be with them
instead of off in the distance; then they are simply going to have to revise their
estimate. Compliance with the epistles is not optional; no, it's essential.

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the
things that I write unto you are the commandments of The Lord." (1Cor 14:37)

"We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by The Lord Jesus, that as ye have
received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more
and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by The Lord Jesus."
(1Thess 4:1-2)

"And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey,
you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking
at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see
yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily
into God's perfect law-- the law that sets you free --and if you do what it says and
don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (Jas 1:22-25)
_
 
.
● Col 2:6-7 . . So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in
him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and
overflowing with gratitude.

That directive, of course, is restricted to the faith as you were taught by Paul and
his contemporaries. He and they taught only one faith rather than a buffet of faiths
to choose from.

"There is one faith" (Eph 4:4-5)

It's neither wise nor humane to encourage somebody rooted and built up in
Christian cults to continue in those faiths: e.g. Moonies, Christian Science, Seventh
Day Adventism, Herbert W. Armstrong, Mormonism, and/or the Watchtower
Society, et al.

Paul emphasized receiving Christ Jesus as "lord". The Greek word means supreme
in authority. Curiously there are a number of Christians out there who regard Jesus'
authority no different than they regard the authority of the prophets. But when the
Old Testament seems to oppose Christ's teachings; Christians have to go with
Christ.

"I am the light of the world; he who follows me shall not walk in the darkness, but
shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

And besides: Christ comes highly recommended.

"Behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and a voice out of the cloud, saying:
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him." (Matt 17:5)
_
 
.
● Col 2:8 . . See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive
philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world
rather than on Christ.

That's likely talking about versions of Christianity adjusted to appease one's
culture-- viz: compromising --which are insidious because they're typically a clever
product of divine instruction moderated by natural logic, i.e. sophistry; thus the
command to Christianity's leaders:

"Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a
time is coming when they will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow
their own desires and seek teachers who will tell them what it is they wish to hear.
They will reject the truth and heed fantasies." (2Tim 4:2 4)

The olde adage to "strike while the iron is hot" certainly applies in this situation, i.e.
Christianity's leaders need to be teaching their people God's ways and means while
they have their ear instead of waiting to chase after them after they've lost their
attention. Calling folks to repentance is always harder because it's easier to
influence folks when they're close to home than when their minds are afar off.
_
 
.
● Col 2:16-17 . .Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with
regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

Some liturgical versions of Christianity incorporate diets, rituals, rites, holy days of
obligation, and even special dress codes in their practices. According to the
principles stipulated in the 14th chapter of Romans, those things are optional rather
than mandatory. To insist otherwise is to play God and to usurp Christ's sovereign
right to make the rules for his own church.
_
 
.
● Col 2:18a . . Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial.

Now we're getting into the sphere of asceticism; which describes a life-style
characterized by abstinence from materialism and various sorts of worldly pleasures
(e.g. carnal intimacy, cosmetics, movies, dancing, alcohol, romance novels, soaps,
gambling, and the accumulation of material wealth) often with the aim of pursuing
religious and spiritual goals.

Ascetics think themselves to possess a superior spirituality over and above regular
Christians; but Paul popped that bubble soundly.

"These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them
conceited. They are not connected to Christ, the head of the body." (Col 2:18c-19)

(chuckle) Paul depicted ascetics as sort of like the headless horseman in the Legend
Of Sleepy Hollow.

NOTE: Webster's defines conceit as an excessive appreciation for one's own worth
or virtue; viz: a superiority complex. Conceited folk typically regard themselves
infallible, smarter than you, and holier too.
_
 
.
● Col 2:18b . . And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they
say they have had visions about this.

That passage is a good one to keep paired with the one below.

"I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw
them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but
he said to me: You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your
brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship
God." (Rev 22:8, cf. Acts 10:25-26)
_
 
.
● Col 3:1-2 . . Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts o
things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on
things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with
Christ in God.

Christianity is a lethal religion. It puts Christ's followers to death on the cross with
him as joint principals in the purpose of his crucifixion. They are encouraged to
think of that as a reality; and not only that, but also to account their resurrection to
immortality is in the bag because they were joint principals with Christ in that too.
(Rom 6:3-11, Gal 2:20)
_
 

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