Emoji's for Christ

            If you are getting this devotion on the internet, via email or Facebook or from my blog, then you are perhaps familiar with how to “approve” of what you have just read. On Facebook, we click on the “like” button or can send some “emoji” to indicate our thoughts on the subject. The Apostle Paul didn't have “emojis” or “like buttons” in his life so he depended upon receiving word via some other person on how people were doing and in particular, how they are doing in their Christian life. Philippians 1:27 says, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” 

          In the past 21 years, there have been only two people that I can think of who had an unfavorable reaction to some of the devotional reading. It is true that there are a large group of people that I never hear from and who may not be checking their “old” email address. What is thrilling is when someone replies back, “I needed to hear that” or some other phrase of approval. Paul seems to be excited at this point in this epistle because he has heard of how they are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” That is enough to excite any believer. Among other things, the Bible contains philosophy, history, poetry, prophecy, teachings and probably a host of other subjects. I may like to read Walt Whitman or Elizabeth Barrett Browning but they don't affect my life as does the teachings of the Word of God. World history and American history are good topics but “His Story, the message of the Bible, is far superior and far more valuable. When I had my heart attack in 1990, I read the book of Philippians everyday. It is the Book of Joy and it became my comfort during those days in the CICU at the hospital. What had excited Paul was exiting to me and it is equally exciting to every believer. While living in a society that is darkened with the problems and results of sin, we find hope and comfort in the message of the Gospel. Paul has already stated that for him to live is Christ. Everything in Paul's life was focused around One Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. We might have the desire to say to Paul, “Preach it brother!” or to give him a “thumbs up” or a special heart or some other emoji. We had an expression in Bible College, that saying “amen” to a preacher as he was preaching was like saying “siccum” to a dog. When the amens start being heard, the preaching will get faster until it seems the preacher can go no further! Paul was delighted to hear how the saints were doing and especially those that were following the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. In today's scene, we could see Paul pumping his fist and saying loudly, “Yes!!” What excites you?  Are you excited by the evident progress of the believers in your circle or are you hanging on every word of gossip about some believer who has fallen into sin? Praise God for the “good reports” we hear of how other saints are progressing in their own growth in the gospel. May it be said of us also.