June 11, 2015 (Song of Songs 5-8, Philippians 1)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux
Scripture: “For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation, the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ, for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” (Philippians 1: 10-11 NLT)
Observation: Paul wanted the Philippian believers to understand what was really important. Living a life of purity was important to the advancement of the Gospel. True Christians needed to be seen as different from the rest of the world. When they were looked upon a true reflection of Christ is what should be revealed. Paul was encouraging the Philippian believers to remember the importance of living right and keeping themselves unspotted from the stains of worldly living. The righteous fruit of salvation produces a righteous character. Not a self-righteous character, but a righteous character. Salvation does not make a person better than anyone else however, it does make a person more responsible for their actions. Whether or not a person really belongs to God can easily be determined by the fruit their lives produce. A good tree cannot produce evil fruit any more than an apple tree can produce watermelons!
Application: What is the most important thing you will do today? Maybe you have an important meeting to close a BIG deal that will make you a lot of money. Maybe you have a list of household chores that must be completed on the exact schedule you have planned out. Maybe you have to study for a final exam that will get you that degree that you have longed for, for so long. There are a million different things that are important to people on a daily basis yet I would encourage you to truly consider what really is important today. For me, what I am doing right now is probably the most important thing I will do today. I have many responsibilities that must be completed but none are more important than spending time alone with God in His Word. It’s here that I get the instruction needed to be successful at all of my other task. If I do a fabulous job at all my worldly duties but fail to conduct myself in a manner that glorifies God, then I have forsaken what was really important and focused on the wrong things.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for providing me the opportunity to gain the understanding needed to be successful in all of today’s challenges. Help me remember what is really important and remember that I represent you in all that I do. Help me treat people fairly and with respect as I strive to be righteous in all the opportunities that await me today. In Jesus name, Amen!