WBC Daily Devotions August 9-13

Daily Devotions for August 9-13, 2010

MONDAY, AUGUST 9

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God." (Phil.1:27-28)

The gospel. A word that is so common to Christian circles and yet so confusing to so many people. Based on Pastor Jeff Walser's sermon and any other knowledge or experience you may have, take a moment to jot down what you think the gospel refers to:

Paul's command to the people in Philippi is not just direct, but given with an urgency and passion that we are perhaps not so familiar with. "Whatever happens..." says Paul. Whether things get really, really difficult, or whether they remain the same, in all circumstances and at all times Paul wants to see consistency in the lives of this congregation. And how are they supposed to live? "In a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." How were they to do that? How are we to do that?

What can you do today to remind yourself of the central truths of the gospel and their application to you and your life? How can you keep the distractions at bay so that your life can be lived in accordance with the gospel of Christ?

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10

Read Romans 3

I generally don't like to think this way, but it was my sin that cost Jesus His life. It was my sin that led to His crucifixion. It was my sin that necessitated the most well-known public execution in all of history. Yet, He did it willingly and obediently out of His great love for me. He went to the cross knowing that this was the only way that I could be restored in relationship with Him.

That truth moved me to repentance and faith in Christ many years ago. That truth continues to drive me forward in obedient service to Him today. As we continue to meditate on the power of the gospel and the ways in which our lives are to be molded around it, spend some time today in silence thinking about the turning point in your own life, when the "righteousness from God" broke through your sin and changed you forever. What did that look like? How did it feel?

Where are you spiritually in your relationship with God today? In what ways has the gospel, the transforming work of God, forever changed your life? How can you recast your future around the free grace of God?

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11

Read Romans 5.

What causes you to rejoice? A new job? A new relationship? Financial success? A new baby? In this particular passage Paul encourages his readers to rejoice in the hope of glory of God. That hope is found in the person of Jesus Christ and directs our worship to Him. We are to rejoice because we have been reconciled to God through the death of Christ, but more importantly we rejoice in the hope that we have through His resurrection.

But there is a second, more confusing cause for rejoicing that Paul shares. "We rejoice in our sufferings." How is this possible? Is Paul really glad to be suffering? Is he rejoicing at being persecuted? If you are experiencing a period of suffering and pain in your life right now then it may seem ridiculous to be rejoicing.

The key is that Paul is able to see beyond his immediate circumstances. He is not rejoicing over the suffering itself. Paul rejoices because the suffering leads him down a sequence of thoughts that consistently ends with the gospel. It is the gospel that is the good news that causes rejoicing.

As you reflect on all that has happened to you this year, all that you have done, all the places you have been, can you, like Paul, trace a sequence that leads back to the gospel, the good news of God's grace revealed in Jesus Christ?

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12

Paul's passion for the gospel bubbles through in most of his letters. Read Colossians 1 for example. Here Paul exhorts the people to "live a life worthy of the Lord," reminding us of his command to the Philippians to live a life worthy of the gospel. Is this a different command or the same thing? Well, as read in the rest of Colossians 1, Paul describes who this Lord is. "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

The words may be slightly different, but the point is the same. The good news is that although we were lost and dead in sin, we have been rescued from that way of living and given new life in Christ. This is the gospel, and everyday we are to live in light of it.

What does that look like exactly? As a starting point, look at Colossians 1:10-12. How would these translate into the daily realities of your life?

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (1 Cor. 17).

Paul was called to preach the gospel, and he did so boldly and consistently throughout his life. These were his marching orders. Read the rest of 1 Corinthians 1 and 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

These are immensely encouraging verses for me. Paul repeats himself over and over again. The gospel is simple and straightforward. It doesn't need to be complex. It doesn't need to sound eloquent and fancy. And perhaps most importantly, it doesn't have to be complicated or difficult in our own lives.

How do we keep the gospel as a central focus in our lives? By keeping Jesus as the central focus of our lives. How do we do that? Through prayer and regular Bible reading. It's not complicated. It's not difficult. But it does require some degree of commitment and discipline on our behalf. Commit to starting this school year with a renewed sense of dependency on God, reflected in daily habits that allow you connect with him.

Jonathan Ziman
Community Life Pastor

Wheaton Bible Church
27W500 North Avenue
West Chicago, IL 60185
630.260.1600
www.wheatonbible.org