You and I are agents. We are called to be reconcilers for the sake of precious human beings. We dare not go it alone. It is in His strength, guidance and love we succeed. Our responsibility has been clear from the beginning of the Faith. The Father sent Jesus, His Son, to pay the full price. He did just that! We must claim and fully accept this responsibility. To be called to do something is to be equipped.

III. "Gospel's logic revealed" (v. 21)

Could it be the Father made His own perfect Son become embroiled in sin for our sake? Could it be fallen human beings were given the opportunity of rescue by a sinless One. Of course, the answer is a resounding "Yes" to both questions. Revelation tells us from the time of Adam's fall a way of escape was being planned for human beings to be saved. The eternal Father of the eternal ages carried out His plan in a methodical fashion.

He who had no sin would open the way for those filled with sin. This was and is the heavenly logic. It was revealed long ago and there really is no secret about it. Christ died that we might have life and have it abundantly. What was drab, degenerate and decadent could become quite the reverse. Humans could become bright, pure and even holy! Happy day when Jesus washed my sins away.

So by the Gospel of Jesus the Christ we are moved from an old and worldly being to a new creation. We are put in the position to be ministers of reconciliation, both laity and clergy. Furthermore, we see clearly the great love of God that reveals He was willing to give even His own Son for our spiritual well-being. May the angels sing and we sing with them for this privileged place in His Kingdom! (Donald Charles Lacy)

April 1, 2001

Fifth Sunday in Lent

The Upward Call

Philippians 3:4b-14

One thing I'm certain that all of us in this world possess is a desire to be satisfied. And often, to our own demise, we choose what the author of Hebrews calls the "passing pleasures of sin" to satiate us.

Whether it is pride or wealth, popularity or lust, or whatever your favorite sin, we are often found down on our knees drinking from the pool of worldly desires. And we believe our thirst will be quenched, so we return again and again.

As our text exhorts us today, there is nothing in this world that can fill our God-given hunger except God in Christ Jesus.

I. Putting confidence in the flesh (vv. 4b-6)

During the time of Paul's letter to the Philippian church, there was a great danger that Christianity in Philippi would be debased into a religion of Jewish ritualism. Paul is arguing with these Judaizers using his life as the lesson. He says that "If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more" (v. 4b). And he wasn't kidding!

Paul was very popular in his day. He was a man of great social and religious status prior to his conversion. For those tempted to place their trust in themselves and there obedience to the law, Paul would have been an ideal example. But, as Paul will argue, it wasn't enough.