COMPASSIONATE COMPULSION ROSS SMITH
ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTED.
Philippians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Paul in the above scripture recognises God’s “PROVIDENTIAL PREPARATION”, not rueing his state but revelling in it. His attitude was contagious because, in verse 14, he says his brethren were “indifferent to the consequences.” Then in verse 16, he states, “they recognise and know that I am [providentially] put here.”
One phrase in verse 12 we tend to miss, Paul wants them to “understand”, and we are aware that this word means “experience”. So, he is not looking for their commiserations but their engagement.
God’s providence is not to be interpreted in fragments, and we need to see the “WHOLE”, to see the ADVANTAGE in the DISADVANTAGE. The admirable Wisdom of the PROVIDENCE OF GOD is, that it is “MANY SIDED”.
Ephesians 3:10 THE PURPOSE IS] that through the church the COMPLICATED, MANY-SIDED WISDOM OF GOD in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.
Not be “potential” or the “maybe”, but THE PURPOSE IS.
So, Paul, even amid the events that I call “GOD’S EMPHASIS” (circumstances, events, trials that God employs for our good) concentrates His purpose into a succinct phase
(1) Promote Progress
(2) Joy in believing, the ability to “adhere, trust, and rely”, which is the expansion of believe.
For much of his writing, he sets out to put things right, establish order, promote holiness, or in other words, “PROGRESS”. But, progress has a price.
Philippians 1:28-30 And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] (AKA “Adherence,Trust,Reliance”) will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God. (29) FOR YOU HAVE BEEN GRANTED [THE PRIVILEGE] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, BUT ALSO TO SUFFER IN HIS BEHALF. (30) So you are engaged in the same conflict which you saw me [wage] and which you now hear to be mine [still].
Remember he said in Philippians 1, 2, “I want you to understand”, so here is the confirmation, “you are engaged in the same conflict”.
If we think we have it hard or had it hard, then we need to think again because these thoughts are misconceptions, or what James 1:22 says, “deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth”.
And so, Paul then proceeds to the second part of his urging, (Phil 1:25) “TO PROMOTE YOUR PROGRESS AND JOY IN BELIEVING.”(That is, “adhering, trusting and relying… Comments mine) This sort of attitude is not difficult when the seas are calm, and the winds but a zephyr, and the road has been freshly graded, but the test is, as Paul says, is to promote “progress and JOY in believing”.
We must realise that we are to face trials and troubles and come out the other side, WITH EXPERIENCE or with developed “adhere, trust and rely”, which is true believing.
Paul uses such economy of words, but with such profound intent, each word “God-breathed” when we pause to consider and contemplate. He confirms the principles in verse 29, establishing that to gain “EXPERIENCE” demands troubles.
The Apostle then becomes lyrical in chapter 2:1 using expansive language to identify, what we see as his unenviable lot, with those with similar ambition. His expressions form a most interesting phrase, which we are inclined to gloss over without extracting the nourishment.
Philippians 2:1 SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever PERSUASIVE INCENTIVE there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy,
- Mutual dwelling in Christ
- Strengthening and consoling, and encouraging in relationship
- PERSUASIVE INCENTIVE (God’s emphasis as explained earlier)
- Participation in the Holy Spirit we share (AKA “fellowship”)
- Depth of affection
- Compassionate sympathy (by way of mutual experience)
Isn’t the term “PERSUASIVE INCENTIVE” a nice way of describing the extent Father goes to develop our conformity, events and circumstances we have so often objected to because we didn’t or couldn’t see the “PERSUASIVE INCENTIVE”. In my terms, I can call it MOTIVATING INFLUENCE or that process to reach the goal.
What is your spiritual motivation? Firstly, it should be to please the Lord. We can do that in numerous ways, but the headline is “OBEDIENCE”.
John 14:15 If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. (See also v 23)
So, we see that “MOTIVATION IS BEHAVIOUR”, the drive behind what we do, that “PERSUASION” to act in a particular way.
“INCENTIVES”. In societal terms, they are “carrots”, but there is no such intent here. It doesn’t matter how humongous the “INCENTIVE” is; it will not provoke much response if it is not aligned with our goals or purposes.
That’s a good reason to go deep in God’s Word so that our “Purpose, thought and action” is stimulated by the nature of the one Who gave us the Word and can be imitated. Our Purpose, Thought and Action are to be like Jesus, and I don’t need to enlarge on that goal because it is part of the “elementary” of Hebrews 6:1 and is interesting in New Living Translation.
Hebrew 6:1(NLT) So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. (There’s that word again!) Surely we don’t need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.
The Bible says, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14), and if we are not experiencing pressure, it may mean we are just “one of the called?” It may also mean that you are not in the right place.
What motivates me to welcome and rejoice in pressure is the picture the Word paints of my potential, not just in the brevity of my life but what lies ahead in the heavenly realm.
Luke 22:28-30 And you are those who have remained [throughout] and persevered with Me in My trials; (V29) And as My Father has appointed a kingdom and conferred it on Me, so do I confer on you [the privilege and decree], (V30) That you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
In 1 Corinthians 15:19, it points out that if we have only hope in this life, then we are all people most miserable and to be pitied. PRESSURE IS PURPOSED TO POINT OUR ATTENTION TO THE PRESSURISER; IT IS THE “INSURMOUNTABLES” THAT MAKE THE “COMMENDABLES”.
Returning to Philippians, chapter 3:13 says, “forgetting what lies behind and “STRAINING FORWARD” to what lies ahead”. This verse establishes anticipation of progress, not dwelling on what has transpired but STRAINING FORWARD, indicative that the route ahead will demand our practised “ENDURANCE, STEADFASTNESS PATIENCE”.
It also demands a focus on the goal, no detours, no distractions, no excuses, but STRAINING FORWARD, with a single eye and ambition. How frequently we stopped to look back in the instruction is plain, “forgetting what lies behind”.
This is particularly applicable to what James said in 1:22, “reasoning contrary to the truth”. Any baggage we brought with us, even from yesterday, James calls “deception”.
The “straining forward” is not to haul along our baggage but to stretch our reach for higher goals to “what lies ahead”. One word of warning, what lies ahead in our pursuit of “CONFORMITY” includes “God’s Emphasis” (see the study by this name) comprising trials, tribulations, temptations, all meant to prove us, to prove our “adherence, trust and reliance”.
All we experience is God’s “COMPASSIONATE COMPULSION” for HIS PURPOSE.
SELAH
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Ross Smith 