May 6 | Philippians 3:8-11

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DAILY READING

Philippians 3:8-11

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REFLECTION

Knowing Christ Jesus

By Pam Mann

All other things pale in comparison to knowing Christ. Paul states this truth in even stronger terms: I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ and be found in it.

Imagine all your great life accomplishments described as garbage. Sobering, isn't it? The NIV translates this word as garbage, while other translations have similarly repulsive terms: dung, rubbish, filth, to name a few. Ponder all the accolades that Paul has known as a Pharisee, as a biblical scholar, and as a respectable Hebrew in good standing. Compared to knowing Christ, these things are throw-aways, waste products to discard. Though these accomplishments have served a good purpose in shaping who Paul is and how he can now serve God, they are rotten debris, compared to knowing Christ.

Remember the artwork from your childhood that your parents fondly displayed on their fridge. It’s not those colorful papers that shaped you, but your parents’ praise taught you confidence with loving attention. Sports trophies and academic awards from your youth have little importance in themselves, but, while earning them, you trained as a team player and diligent worker. Then, in adulthood, you make strides in your work and in your hobbies. Now like Paul, you have come to your present circle of influence, at least in part, by building on skills gained during these endeavors.

For people who don’t know the Lord, these accomplishments are the essence of who people are. While you acknowledge and understand how secular society views an individual, you have a much bigger picture as a believer. It’s an eternal picture no less. You are like Paul in that. Who you are in Christ may mean little to your clueless neighbors and work colleagues, but no other aspect of your life is more transformational and enduring.

In verses 10 and 11, Paul lists the components of what being in Christ opens up for the believer.

You can know Christ! You can 1) know the power of his resurrection. You can 2) participate in his sufferings. You can 3) become like him in his death and therein 4) experience the resurrection from the dead.

This is a passage that many believers memorize as a life verse. You could live a very long life as a believer and still have more to discover in these truths. Each life challenge becomes a means by which Jesus can reveal to you anew his saving power. Each life sorrow becomes an intimate fellowship with Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, who suffers with you. Each defeat in life becomes a springboard into deeper knowledge of Christ’s death and resurrection.

When you can know Christ, human accomplishments simply can’t compare.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you that the power of resurrection is for us each day. Grow in us a deeper knowledge of who you are, a closer fellowship with you, and greater desire to embrace all that you have for us.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.

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May 5 | Romans 5:1-11

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DAILY READING

Romans 5:1-11

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REFLECTION

The Happy Exchange

By Dave Mann

A line in our graveside funeral service is my favorite – “In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Why do we have sure and certain hope that we will be made acceptable to God and granted eternal life with him in heaven?  Is it because we are relatively good enough to make the cut?  If that is the case, how good is good enough?  How can we be confident?  It is important to be sure about the distinction between being part of those with eternal life and not among the eternally condemned.

The Apostle Paul in Romans 5 makes it very clear that the basis for confidence does NOT weigh in the balance of comparing our good deeds with our bad deeds.  He states that while we were still powerless, still sinners, and God’s enemies (verses 6, 8, & 10), Christ died for us and therefore we are reconciled to God.

There is no minimum standard that we must meet through our own strength, our own goodness, our own righteousness.  If using a scale were the means of measurement, we would be in deep trouble.  Jesus himself stated that we must be perfect in the same way that our Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48).  There it is – we are indeed expected to be perfect.  But how can we possibly get there?  We are powerless.  We are sinners.  We are God’s enemies.  The way is for God in Christ to intervene and to offer all who believe that through the death of Jesus, there is a divine transaction.  In faith, Jesus takes our sin upon himself and offers us his righteousness.

Martin Luther calls this the “happy exchange.”  You no doubt know that in Luther’s early life, he tried to gain confidence through his own works.  But confidence gained through that system is elusive. When Luther came to understand God’s gracious plan of salvation, he was set free from trying to be confident that his own best efforts could ever be good enough.  Christ’s best is freely given to those who believe and are baptized.  (For more information about Luther’s breakthrough, click here.)

When we trust in the finished work of the Cross, we are wrapped in Christ’s robe of righteousness.  God the Father looks at us, and he sees Jesus.  What he sees is his perfect Son, Jesus Christ, in all his righteousness.

PRAYER

Thank you, Jesus, for your perfect plan of salvation – that while we were still powerless, still sinners, and still God’s enemies, you chose to die on the cross for us.  Thank you for that happy exchange.  You are my confidence for eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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May 4 | 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

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DAILY READING

2 Corinthians 1:3-11

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REFLECTION

Fruit Grows in the Valleys

By Elaine Pierce

"Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys." Billy Graham

Jesus promises us that we will see hardship in this life:

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

And in today's passage, Paul shares his personal struggles:

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life (8)

We felt the sentence of death (v. 9).

Paul was imprisoned for his faith and eventually, he was put to death because he was a Christian. And yet in the midst of great pain and struggle, his focus was on the Lord, "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (v. 4).

Where do we find God's comfort when a loved one is in pain? When a child is suffering? When we see someone treated unfairly? When evil seems to be winning? How do we respond to adversity? Do we rant and rave against injustice? Do we plot our revenge? Do we throw up our hands and say, God, why aren't you giving me what I want?

Yes, sometimes we do. It is hard to be patient and trust in the Lord. In fact, it is impossible to do so on our own. It's only through the Holy Spirit that we find true rest and compassion. And the Holy Spirit often works through the Body of Christ. Paul tells the members of the Corinthian church that his hope for them is "just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort (v. 7). And he reminds them that "on Him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers (v. 10)."

If you are going through a hard time, know that God is with you in the midst of it. As you turn your focus from the pain and struggle, you will find rest for your soul. That rest may come from a believing friend who will help bear your burden. It may come from time spent at the feet of the Father. He will give you what you need, even if at times it seems too much to bear. As Billy Graham said, it is in the valleys that the fruit grows.

PRAYER

Lord, I want to bear fruit, the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Yet so often I spend my time in worry, fear and grief. Help me to remember each and every day that my comfort, my joy, my peace, comes only from you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, Amen.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!

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