Today’s blog will focus on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. It is probably Paul’s most personal Letter that was addressed to a Church. He always prayed with joy in his prayers for the Philippian Christians, because of their partnership and fellowship in the gospel with Paul. They were a part of his heart, as they sacrificially served the Lord together in God’s grace (Phil. 1:3-8).

Man Can’t Chain God’s Gospel

Paul is writing the Letter to the Philippians from a jail in Rome (Phil. 1:12-14). Even though he is in chains, Paul rejoices because the Gospel is not in chains. Because of his imprisonment, Paul has the opportunity to share the gospel with the whole palace guard (Phil. 1:13), and many of his Christian brethren have been more emboldened to share the gospel outside of prison (Phil. 1:14-18). Furthermore, Paul has seen some people from Caesar’s household converted to Christ (Phil. 4:22).

Paul doesn’t know for sure whether he will be released or executed, but he thinks he will be released. The Lord has some unfinished work for him to accomplish. He would like to go and be with Jesus, but it is more needful for believers like the Philippians, to have Paul around. So he asks his dear brothers and sisters at Philippi to pray for his release (Phil. 1:19-26). Because of this sharing of sufferings and grace with other believers, like the Philippians, and because of the comfort of God’s Spirit, Paul is enabled to maintain a joyful attitude in the face of unfavorable circumstances.

The mind is a key area of battle in the Christian life. The Letter of Philippians refers to “thinking” or the “mind” 16 times in 4 short chapters. “Joy” is mentioned 19 times in one way or another in the Letter. This clearly demonstrates that our thinking effects our emotional state and behavior. The disciplining of our thought life is a key practice in experiencing God’s peace and presence.

Having The Mind Of Christ

One of the great joy stealers in our lives is experiencing disharmony in our relationships with other people. It is hard to maintain a joyful and peaceful disposition, when you are experiencing division in your closest relationships. One of the issues that Paul is addressing in his Letter to the Philippians is division between two women leaders, Euodia and Syntyche (Phil. 4:2). Paul urges them to agree with one another.

How can this happen? I think Paul gives the solution in Phil. 2:1-11: the cultivation of a Christ-like servant’s attitude. In this passage, Paul exhorts all the Philippian believers to be of one spirit and purpose (Phil. 2:2). And then he writes these words in Phil. 2:3,4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” And then Paul calls them to emulate the self-emptying attitude of Jesus (2:5-11).

Jesus did not insist to maintain his position in the Godhead, but he willingly humbled himself, by taking on a human nature. And then he humbled himself again, once he became a human being. He did this by being a servant to others, and by being willing to die on the cross, in obedience to God (Phil. 2:6-8). Because of Christ’s humble obedience, God exalted him to the highest place, and gave him the name that is above every name, which is the Lord (Phil.2:9-11).

How can we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, so that God can raise us up in a godly manner? By allowing God’s Spirit to work in us, and to work through us, what is pleasing in God’s sight (Phil. 2:12,13). Then we will serve the Lord and others without complaining and arguing, and shine like stars for God’s glory (Phil. 2:14-16). We will serve in a life-giving manner.

QOTD: Are you allowing God to work in you to will and act according to his good purpose? Are you working out your salvation with reverence and trembling?