Philippians 3:1-4 [+/-]Philippians 3:1-4 [3:1]Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. [2]Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. [3]For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh-- [4]though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: (ESV)
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Do you know that God wants the fullness of His joy flowing in and through you? The Bible teaches us that when we give our lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us and one of His tasks is to produce in us and through us the fruit of the Spirit. Notice that the word “fruit” is singular. Paul lists nine items here or three groups of three. The center one in each group is the focus of each group so that in the first grouping: love, joy, and peace; it is joy that God desires and develops in us as among the first and finest expressions of His presence and power at work in us. He wants to experience and to express His joy. Jesus would remind us that He came so that His joy would be in us and that our joy would be complete. This section in Philippians shows us what is required if we are going to experience and express the joy that is ours as believers.

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