CONTEXT

 

CONTEXT

 

  Romans [MKJV] 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. 

  2Timothy 2:14-16 Put them in memory of these things, charging them before the Lord not to dispute about words to no profit, to the subverting of the hearers. Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But shun profane, vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 

 

  I have learned that reading, studying, then applying the Word of God must be done contextually in order to please Him, benefit personally, and be beneficial to others. The often quoted feel-good verse Philippians 4:13 being a case in point.

  Paul did not make a stand-alone statement. Read in the context of his letter we see that Paul made a qualified summarizing declaration.

  We should never name it – claim it without qualification. This is especially so if our life is a stumbling weighted discontented shambles.

  Let’s consider Paul’s list of qualifications that I see:

 

·         1:3; thankfulness to and before God and others for others.

·         1:4; praying for others.

·         1:6; confidence in God’s good work in others.

·         1:7-19; 4:5-7, 15-19; a heart of togetherness in family grace.

·         1:19; accepting the support of others.

·         1:21-23; torn between committed service and heavenly deliverance.

·         1:30; 2:16; identifying with “conflict” suffered by others.

·         2:17-18; 4:4; rejoicing with others.

·         2:18-30; 3:4-14; evidence that Paul didn’t have a superior self-righteous lone wolf attitude. Humility.

·         3:13-14; baggage free!

·         3:14; regardless of circumstance or potential dire future, focused on “the high calling”.

·         3:20-21; a mind and heart based in heavenly citizenship.

·         4:5-13; Biblically optimized sanity, heart and mind at peace.

·         4:11-12; contrary to anxiety, contentment.

·         You have probably noticed some that I missed. Please do tell me of them.

 

  If qualified, then we too can authentically acknowledge the same wondrous work of Christ in our life.

EBB4