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“Christ Offers New Discipleship Importing Truth Inside Our Nature! (C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N)!”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” (Philippians 2:1-2)

Approach Question:
What do you have with Christ?

Observations:
I asked myself what words/phrases of repetition are found?
1. If (4 times)
2. Any (4 times)
3. Being (4 times implied)
4. You (4 times implied)

I have learned through the years studying Scripture that repetition signifies important concepts and principles. So, I wanted to look deeply into these words/phrases and what they are added on to.

I asked myself what the repetitions point to?
I saw  if-then and cause-effect principles in these verses based on the words of repetition. 
1. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
2. If you have any comfort from His love,
3. If you have any fellowship with the Spirit,
4. If you have any tenderness and compassion,
Then make my joy complete by being like minded!

Interpretation/Application:
I asked myself what does it mean to be ‘united with Christ’?
What came to my mind is believers being united as a community. I found it interesting that the ‘you’ in this passage seems to refer to the Philippians as a community rather than individually. I also realized if I am to be united with Christ, I need to do my part and other believers their part. Then when all the parts are put together there will be a whole signifying unity as opposed to separation.  

It is significant that unity in Christ brings encouragement rather than discouragement.

I asked myself what ‘His love’ means?
What came to my mind is Jesus’ agape love for me. It is a love that is so unconditional that I am loved as I am. There is nothing I can do to earn His love but He loves me in my sin and has come to restore me. He died on the cross and sacrificed His life for me and came back to life to save me as I yielded to Him and received His love. This love is for everyone receiving Jesus.

It is significant that knowing ‘His love’ is what gives true comfort rather than distress!

I asked myself what is ‘with the Spirit’?
What came to my mind is the Holy Spirit. What was really exciting to know is that I can be with the Spirit. The Spirit is available to those who ask of the Spirit to make His presence known in their lives. This way I will not be alone in my walk but I will be with the Spirit.

It is significant that ‘being with the Spirit’ is what gives true fellowship in our lives rather than loneliness.

I asked myself what is ‘tenderness and compassion’?
What came to my mind is a state of being of the heart that is soft and not hard towards people which is also reflected in having empathy towards others to the point that we want to help them.

INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself the significance of the 'IF statements?'
I found it interesting that Paul is reminding the Philippians that actions speak louder than words. It is as if he is saying, ‘IF you say you have all these things’ then ‘you should be revealing the virtues that follow 'THEN’ in these verses in your lives.

I asked myself what does it mean to be like-minded?
What came to my mind is having the mind of Christ that everything I do or say should be reflective of Christ. It is as if I am to be a replica of Jesus’ mind as I live here on earth. But that is only possible IF the 4 criteria I learned about are being met.

What came to my mind were 3 ways that show us to be like-minded:
1. Having the same love.
2. Being one in spirit.
3. Being one in purpose.

Having the same love reminded me of ‘His love’. I am to imitate the love of Christ in my surroundings when I am around people. Also, as a community of believers we are to imitate His love around people.

Being one in spirit reminded me of ‘With the Spirit’. I am to live with the Spirit as I live my life and not apart from the Spirit. In this way, as I walk in the Spirit, I will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

I believe it goes deeper as the ‘one’ can also imply all the believers being one that the world may know Jesus is Lord. As believers in the Lord, I believe united we stand and divided we fall. Sadly, the world does not see us as being one in the Spirit because we are all so fractured holding on to traditional and denominational beliefs rather than the core beliefs/doctrines and affirmations of Scripture. This starts to cause division among believers and Christ is not glorified.

Jesus had problem with the tradition of the Pharisees because they were holding on more to tradition than the Word of God and its implications for our lives.

In the essentials there can be no compromise but in the non-essentials there should be room for compromise but sadly it is here that denominations are built.

I asked myself how could we be one in the Spirit with all these denominational differences when Jesus wanted to do away with them based on John 17?
What came to my mind is ‘Being one in purpose’. Regardless of what our denominational beliefs are, it is exciting to know that we can be one in purpose if that purpose is to be like-minded as Christ and letting our lives reflect that as a community.

IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
The purpose of today's study is being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose which will only be fulfilled in CHRIST ALONE BY HIS GRACE as we depend on Him to help us.

We can only do everything mentioned in Philippians 2:1-2 if we take God's Word to heart and apply it in God's grace through Christ Jesus our Lord!

I ASK YOU NOW:
I ask you now dear friends, what C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?
Dear friend, I do not know what condition you are in but your condition determines whether you can have 'encouragement being united with Christ, comfort from His love, fellowship with the Spirit, and tenderness and compassion' in your life which in turn can help you be like-minded as Christ as you realize your own worthlessness and turn your life over to the One who can make you worthy.  You know what, none of us are worthy and yet God in His love for us 'while we were yet sinners sent Jesus Christ do die for us to redeem us.'

If anyone thinks he is worthy to receive the grace of the Lord Jesus, then that person has been lost right there. There is no one who is worthy to receive the Lord Jesus Christ if it were not for the grace of the Lord Jesus. If anyone thinks he is, he has let pride sweep over him already revealing the condition of the heart. Of all sins, pride is the greatest sin from which everything else comes from.

It is pride that began the fall of Lucifer and the fall of man. Lucifer, through his pride wanted to become equal or greater to God and fell with 1/3 of the angels. That just shows there will always be someone to follow evil and good. Because Lucifer fell, he wanted to take as many with him and still wants to take God's creation into Hell's pit deceiving, lying, and conniving. You and I will not escape Satan as long as we think we are worthy of anything. We are not worthy of anything and need Jesus.

We have let sin take over our lives and only the touch of the Master's Hand can help us overcome this sin. When the Lord touches our heart, He will take away our sin by His precious cleansing blood, giving us new life. Yes friend, He will.

With Jesus, we are so worthy in God's eyes and through Jesus Christ, He justifies us and sanctifies us by His power. He will give anything because He loves us more than anything. It is His free gift we share to a world that needs it. His love is always with us. His love is so great and so strong. (This is a also a children's song)

Yes friend, Jesus loves us so much. Even now when I have gone my own way and done my own thing, it is His grace that has saved me and redeemed me to live for Him. He can help you too friend. Thank you so much Jesus!

No matter what the condition of our heart, the Lord can take our heart of stone and give us a heart of love where we know we are loved by Him and therefore are able to love others.

For the Word of the Lord says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called His dear children” (1 John 3:1, TLB)

That is exciting to know. If you feel your condition made you realize your worthlessness and wretchedness before an all awesome God, then you are on the pathway to Eternal Life. You have great reason to rejoice because your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life when you turn to the Savior for your redemption. Thank you Jesus!

If you feel your condition is ok, you have great reason to have sorrow for the day of judgment will come when you are not expecting it.

"For it is appointed to man to die once, then the judgment!"

Friend, I don't want that for you! You should not want that too! Now is the time of Salvation. You can receive the Lord’s salvation in your own life. Yes, you can! Jesus waits to welcome you as you are and as you yield your life to Him, He will work in you and through you. Yes, He will! I know He will for He has done that in my life. I am no different from you. I am a sinner just like you saved by grace and now seen as a saint in the Lord’s eyes. Remember from chapter 1, that Paul addressed the believers as saints. That can happen for you too! Come as you are to the throne of God above!

Then, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” will become a reality in your life as you are part of a community of believers seeking deeper faith in Christ, stronger community in Christ, and greater impact as my church: Oakland International Fellowship emphasizes.

"Christ Offers New Discipleship Importing Truth Inside Our Nature!" (C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N)/"What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?"

Please pray this prayer to receive the Lord Jesus into your life or to rededicate your life to the Lord.

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I heard that you became my sacrificial Lamb of God to save me from my sins. Thank you for shedding your blood for me and coming back to life to save me. I turn to you now. At this moment Lord, I confess to you all my sins and am so sorry for them Lord. I repent of my sins and ask you to help me overcome them for I cannot on my own strength. Cleanse me with your cleansing blood and I will be clean again. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Come into my heart Jesus. Please make my heart your home. I believe only you can justify me by your grace. Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and I will serve you the rest of the days of my life as you begin your sanctification by your grace in my life. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart! Thank you Jesus for making my heart your home and living in me! I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and that you have answered me. Thank you for being part of my life now and giving me a new beginning. Thank you for my Salvation. Thank you no matter how I am feeling inside, you have saved me. I love you Jesus and want to live for you. Help me to find fellowship with other believers and most of all to have daily fellowship walking with you through your Word and talking to you. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

2013 DEVOTIONALS:

End of Chapter 1

Philippians 1:29-30: "How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, July 26, 13, 10:02 a.m.)

Philippians 1:27-28: "How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, July 25, 13, 11:17 a.m.)

Philippians 1:22-26: "What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 24, 13, 09:50 a.m.)

Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 22, 13, 3:33 p.m.)

Philippians 1:21: "Why L.I.V.E your life to be appreciated by others?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, July 19, 13, 10:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, July 18, 13, 05:17 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19: "Who should you C.A.L.L often in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 17, 13, 09:41 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, July 16, 10:23 a.m.)

Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 15, 04:57 a.m.)

Philippians 1:12-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, July 11, 10:40 a.m.)

Philippians 1:12: How can you A.D.V.A.N.C.E the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 10, 11:46 a.m.)

Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 07, 03:24 a.m.)

Philippians 1:7-8: "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, June 27, 10:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:7-8: "Why can you only be saved by G.R.A.C.E alone?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, June 26, 10:42 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3-6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, June 25, 12:42 p.m.)

Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, June 24, 11:22 a.m.)

Philippians 1:1-3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, June 22, 11:34 a.m.)

Philippians 1:1-2: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 21, 10:58 a.m.)

Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 20, 08:33 a.m.)

Philippians 1:1-2: "Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 19, 1:26 p.m.)

Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of a sinner?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 17, 11:38 p.m.)

Psalm 46:1: "Where do you need R.E.F.U.G.E from?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 08:30 a.m.)

Proverbs 14:12: "Why seek God's R.I.G.H.T over our right?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 08:30 a.m.)

Psalm 42:5: "Why H.O.P.E and praise the Lord in your distress?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 01:36 p.m.)

Psalm 40:1-5: "Where do you need to be L.I.F.T.E.D up in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 01:34 p.m.)

Mark 9:28-29: "What can P.R.A.Y.E.R to Jesus do in your friends lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 11, 07:53 a.m.)

Mark 2:2-5: "What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D will you be thought of as?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 10, 07:03 a.m.)

Mark 3:14-15: "Why S.P.E.N.D time with Jesus daily?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 11:07 a.m.)

Psalm 34:4: "What can you do with your F.E.A.R.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 07, 2013, 8:43 a.m.)

Psalm 33:4: "What will you do with F.A.I.T.H in your classes?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 2013, 9:31 a.m.)

Mark 1:43-44: "What does your disobedience C.A.U.S.E for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 2013, 2:57 a.m.)

Mark 1:41-42: "What past do you need to be C.L.E.A.N from?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 2013, 10:54 a.m)

Proverbs 29:25: "Where will you take a S.T.A.N.D without wavering?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 2013, 07:43 a.m)

Matthew 18:21-22:"Why F.O.R.G.I.V.E when it will happen again?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29 2013, 09:35 a.m)

Psalm 27:14:"How do you C.O.P.E with your hurt?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)

John 12:24:"Who do you remember physically and spiritually on this M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L day?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)

"What has the law P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D you to do but it goes against the Lord?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 09, 2013, 6:57 a.m)

"Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 08, 2013, 6:58 a.m)

"What has A.N.G.E.R done to your relationships?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 29, 13, 1:28 p.m.)

"How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 06, 13, 11:48 a.m.)