August 8, 2013 Steadfast

Read Philippians 3:1-4 Steadfast 3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh. KING David prays in Psalms 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” He speaks a beautiful prayer of humility, submission and love for God’s truths in him, doesn’t he? Stop for a moment and pray this for yourself. Based on Paul’s words to the Philippians, I believe he prayed that kind of prayer often. As Paul says “it is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again” he is showing a steadfast spirit to teach Jesus’ truths again and again to the Philippians. Certainly Paul needs a steadfast spirit in him to be secure and firm in his ministry, doesn’t he? The one truth he is speaking of here is to tell the Philippians to ignore the lies of those who claim it was necessary to be circumcised to become a Christian. These “Judaizers” always tried to destroy the faith way to Jesus by declaring the need for the flesh way of circumcision. Steadfastly the Judaizers attacked with lies. And the way to repel them was to be more steadfast in the truth. Paul knows the truth, and he is glad to steadfastly repeat it. Do you feel challenged by those who disobey the truth? Perhaps your children or friends reject Jesus’ faith ways. Perhaps you do. The thing you must do is to be joyfully steadfast to keep speaking the truth, beginning with yourself. A Moment’s Thought: Go ahead, pray that prayer again.