Journey to The Journey

For starters, we need to understand that conflict is rooted in our sinful nature. When my preferences or desires don't align with yours, then conflict and disagreement are born. I'm no psychologist, but even I can see that modern conflict resolution techniques are, at their most basic level, aimed at ultimately declaring someone right and someone wrong.

This week in our study over Paul's letter to the church at Philippi we got to take a look at the Apostle's extensive religious credentials: "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless." His point was simple, if our standing before God is based on our merits, then he had plenty of reasons to feel pretty confident. However, the message here, and throughout the entirety of scripture is clear...our greatest human accolades and religious accomplishments are rendered worthless before a perfect and holy God.

The human mind is an amazing thing. Barring physical or mental handicaps, we can learn to do just about anything. However, the key word there is "learn." We aren't just born with the knowledge and ability to do most things. Even basic functions such as walking, speaking, writing, even using the bathroom, had to be taught to us as children.

When I was a kid, I used to walk a path through the woods behind my house that led through to a strip mall nearby. There was a bookstore there and at least once a month, my friends and I would walk there to check out that month's latest comic books. That path was familiar to me and not at all scary. That is, until I watched the original TV miniseries based on Stephen King's book, "It" (although I hear the remake is much scarier).

In this week's sermon from our sub-series through Philippians, we discussed some foundational points of Christian doctrine aimed at understanding Jesus' divinity so that we could better understand and appreciate his humility. This was the Apostle Paul's purpose in this portion of his letter to the Philippians. In directing their gaze upon the person and work of Christ, he was pointing them to something greater than themselves.