A Christ-centered, Spirit-led, and Joyful Christian Life

March 21, 2013 - Philippians 3:1-3

3:1		弟 兄 們 、 我 還 有 話 說 、 你 們 要 靠 主 喜 樂 。 我 把 這 話 再 寫 給 你 們 、 於 我 並 不 為 難 、 於 你 們 卻 是 妥 當 。
3:2		應 當 防 備 犬 類 、 防 備 作 惡 的 、 防 備 妄 自 行 割 的 ．
3:3		因 為 真 受 割 禮 的 、 乃 是 我 們 這 以 　 神 的 靈 敬 拜 、 在 基 督 耶 穌 裡 誇 口 、 不 靠 著 肉 體 的 ．

 ¹ Further, my brothers and sisters, 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 evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.

Paul illustrates how an authentic Spirit-filled life of a Christian will be - Rejoicing in the Lord; Serving and worshiping God by His Spirit; Boasting in Christ Jesus ; and Putting no confidence in the flesh. Paul considers how a believer lives out a Christ-centered Life, boasting in Christ Jesus alone and not relying on our flesh or strength to achieve God's work and salvation; a Spirit-led life, serving and worshiping God as led by the Holy Spirit and not relying on our old experience or patterns of the world; and a God-fulfilling life, rejoicing and satisfying in the Lord alone in all kinds of circumstances, and experiencing God's love and hope in our souls. 

My heavenly Father, You promise that when I pray for fish or bread, you won't give me snakes or stones, and surely You will give the best for me, i.e. Your Spirit in my inner soul. I continue to pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in me that I have the courage to exalt Christ as my Lord, the desire and willingness to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and the faith and hope so that I can always rejoice in Your salvation and powerful work in me.