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Weekly e-Devotion: March 12 Edition
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 Prisoner’s Dilemma
Philip. 3:7-14 (NIV)
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
The apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, then persecuted, was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote the letter to the Philippians. He had a dilemma. He had been called by God to spread the Gospel, but he was suffering in prison with his fate as yet unknown.
The prisoner’s dilemma is a mathematical situation proposed by Albert W. Tucker with implications for game theory, economics, evolution and psychology. It goes something like this:
Two criminals are arrested for a robbery. The police don’t have enough evidence to convict them so they separate them and make them each the same offer. If they both confess they will both serve two years in prison. If one confesses and the other remains silent, the confessor goes free and the silent criminal serves 10 years. If they are both silent they will each serve only 6 months. In this scenario, the last option requires the most trust. They do not know what the other will do. What kind of honor is there among thieves?
Paul was a prisoner. He had choices too. Though it probably doesn’t say so anywhere, he may have had the choice to recant, deny Jesus and go free. Or he could wallow in self-pity and do nothing productive. Or he could see his captivity as another part of his call from Christ.
Paul could look behind him and bemoan what led to his imprisonment or he could look ahead to freedom in Christ. He looked forward and saw the goal of obtaining eternity with Christ. He saw the opportunity he had been given to advance the Gospel, not in spite of, but better because of his circumstances. And so he wrote, encouraging others so that they could also have a future of freedom, regardless of the earthly imprisonments they may experience.
The apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians had become persecuted, yet he made the choice that required the most trust. But in this case it wasn’t silence that required the most trust. Paul chose to continue to confess his faith and proclaim the word of God. It was one of the most influential choices in all of Christendom. And God, who will never leave us or forsake us, can be trusted to use our voices to his glory, keeping his promise of a future with Him for eternity. It is a prize worth pressing toward.
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Bible Into Daily Life
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Easy Suggestions
to Help You Grow
Philip. 3:10, 11, 14 (NIV)
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
The Apostle Paul writes “I want to know Christ.” He then lives like he means what he said. No matter what his circumstances, he put the gospel of Jesus Christ first, following God’s call. How well do you want to know Christ? Do you want to be like Paul, at peace in the company of your savior at all times? Or do you want a superficial friendship that works when it’s convenient for you? Evaluate how often your relationship with Christ guides your decisions. How often do you talk with your savior? Then decide on how much time you can add to that or what decisions you can turn over to Him and “just do it.”
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Our pastors and other program directors are here to help nurture your faith journey anyway possible. Our staff can be reached by calling the church office at 602.866.9191. For a list of staff email addresses click here.
Regular e-Devotion contributing authors include Maria Levine and Bobbie Tomasek. If you would like ideas of how to incorporate your faith into daily life please contact Bobbie or visit the Faith Journeys page. If you are interested in being a guest writer for our e-Devotions or any other email subscriptions we offer, please contact Bobbie to get started.
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Weekly E-Devotions
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All Saints Lutheran Church
www.AllSaintsPhoenix.org
15649 North 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85022
602.866.9191
To unsubscribe to weekly email devotions, visit the All Saints home page, enter your email address in the Weekly Devotions field, choose "Unsubscribe" and click Submit.
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Bible Readings
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March 14
4th Sunday of Lent
Click HERE to read
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32 (11)
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
March 21
5th Sunday of Lent
Click HERE to read
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126 (5)
Philippians 3:4b-14 *
John 12:1-8
* e-Devotion Bible text(s)
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Prayer for the Week
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Dear loving Father, In you I can be free from the chains of sin and death, so I will choose you. Help me remember that freedom and the peace that comes with it when I am finding it hard to get through the trials of this life. Amen.
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Thank You for Subscribing!
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This resource has been designed to help busy people like you nurture faith in daily life. Each week you will receive a brief devotion, the weekly readings from the common lectionary, a prayer and a suggested action item for the week.
This ministry was designed to:
- Provide a means to invite God into your life in the midst of your everyday routine.
- Suggest action items that will help you to grow in faith and develop an even closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Enhance your worship experience by helping you prepare and become familiar with the Biblical basis for Sunday’s worship service.
- Tickle your taste for more; because the more you know God, the more you want to know Him better.
Tell Your Friends!
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Our prayer for you:
That this resource will encourage you to see God in the little things as well as the big things and that you will know God’s presence and love in all that you do.
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