By Brian O’Leary, a senior at Goshen College Reprinted from Lenten Devotions DEVOTIONAL: In the passage for today, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Paul writes to encourage his readers. He encourages them to join in his example regarding his actions. Earlier on in this epistle, Paul mentions his own upcoming death sentence and notes that his imprisonment has actually, “served to advance the Gospel.” In the same vein of support, Paul seeks to encourage Christians even in the face of denial and the enemies of the cross of Christ. He notes suffering as his example, an example we must all follow. Paul makes no apologies for the difficulty of the path of God, and although Paul’s struggles with imprisonment and death may seem more serious than our own struggles through the season of Lent, they both have their roles to play. Lent may not bring an omen of death for all of us, as it did to Jesus, but whatever our struggles we must not let the enemies of the cross cause us to lose heart. Though Lent may seem to be a difficult time, we can also recognize that “our citizenship is in heaven.” We are not people whose minds should be, “set on earthly things.” Instead, we “stand firm in the Lord,” and seek hope during Lent. SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:17-4:1 (NRSV)
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Melanie Stanley-Soulen pastored Allen-Lee United Methodist Church from 2007 until 2013. Archives
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