Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 1:1-6.

“Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:1-6.

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There was nothing good in us that motivated God in the beginning to elect us and begin His good work within us (remember “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation).  Any later sin or inability within us will not surprise God nor cause God to cease His good work within us. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God is not fickle.  ““For I, the LORD, do not change;  therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6.

God does not divorce. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27.

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:6-10.  In other words, if Christ died for us when we were at our worst, then having done so and forgiven us and cleansed us of all of our sins and reconciled us, then Christ will certainly continue His work within us.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

This is God’s work.  Man always thinks it is about himself:  “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  John 6:28.  But, notice Jesus’ reply.  “Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:29.  It is all about God and His work.

God accomplishes all of His good pleasure.                                                                                                                 “⁹ “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
¹¹ Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

In conclusion, this precious truth is called “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30.

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How much do we know about the condition of fellow saints?  How often do we specifically pray for them?  How often do we follow-up with a praise report?

In today’s Scripture, we read about Paul making provision about disclosing his condition through Tychicus.  We read about Paul asking for specific prayer that “I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak“.  Like Paul, we should disclose our condition to trusted Christians and request specific prayer from them.

A friend and I meet about once a week to read Scripture and pray.  We pick a book of the Bible and then read a chapter a meeting with each of us reading out loud half of the chapter.  We then share specific prayer requests.  He prays for my prayer requests, and I pray for his prayer requests.  Often, our specific prayer requests are for ourselves or members of our family, but sometimes our prayer requests are for other individuals.  It is a good practice that we have developed and done for about 14 years. 

My purpose in disclosing this practice is not to infer that it is the best practice nor that we never miss a week of doing it.  But rather, my hope is to provide one example of what can be done to stimulate thoughts as to what could be done to pray more faithfully and more effectively.  It is my hope that the reader both disclose to trusted Christian friends his or her own condition and their own specific request for prayer and that the reader learn about the conditions of other Christian friends and their specific  prayer requests so that the reader can pray for others more faithfully and effectively. 

As another example, one of my friends has developed a prayer project for a wide community of friends and uses emails and a web site to inform others of specific prayer needs of individuals within that community and to request prayer for them from the group.  Obviously, these prayer requests are less intimate (specifically disclosing less to avoid personal embarassment), but the prayer requests reach many more people and address more general prayer concerns.

So, whatever practice you use, “be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints”. 

And, give praise reports!  Don’t only request prayers;  inform others how God has answered the prayers!  “Rejoice always;  pray without ceasing;  in everything give thanks;  for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  Notice how “pray without ceasing” is sandwiched between “Rejoice always” and “in everything give thanks“.  We should give thanks and praise God for answered prayers!

Prayer, with both prayer requests and praise reports, is a way of showing “love with faith” which is mentioned in the concluding paragraph of today’s Scripture.  Prayer shows others that you care about them and love them.  Prayer shows faith that you believe God will answer your prayers and help them.  Praise reports develop faith that God will answer prayers.  “Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Verse 23.  “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:10    

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, ²⁶ so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless. 

²⁸ So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his own wife loves himself;   ²⁹ for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,  ³⁰ because we are members of His body.  ³¹ FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.  ³² This mystery is great;  but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 

³³ Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”  Ephesians 5:22-33. 

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There is so much in today’s Scripture about which one could write.  “Limited Atonement” and “Preservation of the Saints”, the “L” and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation” come first to mind.  One could write about the relationship of Christ to His Church being described as the marriage relationship between husband and wife.  One could write about the different roles and duties of a husband and a wife.  And, there are additional profitable things in today’s Scripture upon which to meditate and write.  This introduction not only provides an “excuse” for me to write about one topic among many, this introduction also illustrates the richness of God’s Word. 

Today, I want to write about the phrase:  “cleansed her by the washing of water with the word“.  The Word of God cleanses us.  We take a shower or bath every day.  Why don’t we read God’s Word every day?!  And, the Word of God does more than cleanse us. 

For today’s devotion, I want us to meditate on the following verses which teach us about the Word of God and what it does for us.  Hopefully, this review will encourage us by what the Word of God can do for us.  Hopefully, this review will motivate us to read God’s Word and meditate upon it and abide in it. 

“As for God, His way is blameless;  The word of the LORD is tried;  He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”  Psalm 18:30

“In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust;  I shall not be afraid.  What can mere man do to me?”  Psalm 56:4

“The unfolding of Your words gives light;  It gives understanding to the simple.”  Psalm 119:130

“He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”  Proverbs 16:20

“Every word of God is tested;  He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”  Proverbs 30:5

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”  Isaiah 40:8

““For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”  Isaiah 66:2

““Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?”  Jeremiah 23:29

“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord GOD.”  Ezekiel 12:28

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’””  Matthew 4:4

““Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house;  and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.”  Matthew 7:24-25.

“But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.””  Luke 11:28

“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”  Ephesians 5:6-14.

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Christ is the Light of the world.

“THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”  Matthew 4:16

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 
A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”  Luke 2:30-32.

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.”  John 1:4

“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.”  John 1:9

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world;  he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”  John 8:12

“The LORD is righteous within her;  He will do no injustice.  Every morning He brings His justice to light;  He does not fail.  But the unjust knows no shame.”  Zephaniah 3:5 

“The night is almost gone, and the day is near.  Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”  Romans 13:12

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.  For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”  John 3:19-21.

“On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.  The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.  The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.  But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”  1 John 2:9-11.

In Heaven, we will be illumined by the Lord God, and there will no longer be any night.

³ But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 

⁴ and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 

⁵ For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”  Ephesians 5:1-5.

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The reason why we are able to be imitators of God is that we have this “new self” described in the prior chapter.  The “Therefore” in verse 1 is based on our “new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”  See Ephesians 4:24. 

We feel uneasy when we hear filthy jokes, because of this “new self”.  We should not quench that feeling of uneasiness, “and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”  Verse 4. 

Do we want to be like the one who told the joke or like the One Who loved us and gave Himself up for us?

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  Colossians 1:13-14. 

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children”.

After being washed clean by Christ’s blood, do we want to return to the filth of immorality and impurity?

“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.  It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”  2 Peter 2:20-22. 

“For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”  Verse 5.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children”.

In our natural world, children imitate their parents.  How much more in the spiritual world should we children imitate our Father in Heaven?!  “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;  and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”  Verses 1 and 2.

²⁷ and do not give the devil an opportunity.

²⁸ He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

²⁹ Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

³⁰ Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

³² Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:24-32.

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Today’s Scripture provides practical advice on how to live the Christian life.  But, verse 24 is included to remind us that we are able to live out this righteous and holy life through “the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth”.  So, today’s Scripture is more of a “Therefore” of what we do based on “the new self”, rather than an independent list of things that we should do, or even can do, through our own strength, our own flesh. 

The new self speaks truth, because the new self has “been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth”.

The new self does not let the sun go down on its anger nor gives the devil an opportunity nor steals nor is bitter, wrathful, clamorous, slanderous, malicious, nor otherwise grieves the Holy Spirit of God, because the new self has “been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth”.

The new self edifies others, is kind to one another, tender-hearted, and forgives each other, because the new self has “been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth”.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:22-24.  “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16. 

Even as good as it may be to have new tools to do what is right, there is something better.  Today’s Scripture teaches us that our new self was created “in the likeness of God”.  We do what is right, because of who we are:  “a new self” “conformed to the image of His Son”.  “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

So, as we celebrate Easter today, let us view our “new self” as we imagine Christ stepping out of the death, decay, and darkness of that tomb into the dawn daylight and fresh air of that first Easter Sunday morning.  “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”  Romans 6:4