Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. (Philippians 2:12 NLT)
This verse has alway stuck out to people because Paul says that our spirituality cannot just be a belief but must be the guiding principle for our life.
At school when I had been up to no good the worst thing that could happen was that my parents would find out. I’d happily endure a month of detention to avoid it. But it wasn’t their punishment I feared. Like lots of kids my parents more than anyone else in my life believed in me. They loved me the most, they trusted me probably too much and worst of all they’d put their hearts into me, sacrificing their money, time and emotions to look after me. I knew it deeply mattered to them how I behaved. What i feared most was their disappointment.
Faith is more than a bumper stick on the back of the car. It’s more than a regular trip to a church service. Faith is characterized by a deep respect for our God. Today remember that he loves you and the things you do matter to him. Make him proud!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11 NIV)
I think they should add a title in the margin. “When stuck read this verse”. If you are tossed about emotionally and on the verge of tears. When you have tried but failed. When you just feel you can’t keep going. When you lack strength, you should remember this.
Paul writes to people afraid of the opposition and confused by competing demands on their lifestyle. Now it is different to the opposition and demands we face of course. Some today have a funny way of turning a traffic jam or any slight trouble into church persecution. We shouldnt do that. However we can be encouraged by the very same thing Paul is offering to them: hope. Because what we are facing is not the end of the game.
The same one who conquered the grave lives in me. When I am weak, he is strong. I might be just a whimpering mess today but my God is good. He has secured my future, this is not the end of the story.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27 NIV)
It’s difficult for us to feel the weight of chapter one. But it has come now to the crunch. He says “whatever happens…”.
It’s said that desperate times call for desperate measures. Paul has just spoken favorably of his death because of what he’s facing in prison. Yet he is adamant its better he lives for their sake and for the sake of delivering Christ message (v21).
Paul says now what about you? He says whatever unspeakable thing happens next stand strong together, strive for the faith. Make your life count. Be a credit to the message of Jesus. Lord I pray today that we might feel the weight of your sacrifice for us and be faithful no matter what.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. (Philippians 1:12 NIV)
For many religion is a bit of a joke. I know a man who when filling out the census form got to the religion question and put ‘Jedi’. It was tong in cheek. It just doesn’t matter to him. But what if life depended on it?
We’re coming to the guts of Paul’s letter. And I’m aware that even for us it’s hard to feel the gravity of his situation. Paul might sound as if his prison time is a bit of a joke but it’s not.
You don’t joke about rags, cockroaches, extreme heat and then cold winters. You don’t joke about beatings and death threats and violence. He might sound nonchalant but he is actually extremely focused on his task. Even prison is working for him, advancing the message.
We probably can’t expect to be Paul. But I pray we might be inspired to focus and lend ourselves to the cause for which Jesus died. Today in our words and deeds may the gospel be advance.
Last time we read Paul’s prayer about loving well. What does it look like to love well? The Message puts it this way:
Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:10-11 The Message)
We love lots of things. We love dogs, we love children, some love their jobs and most love their family and friends. Sometimes love is cheap, other times love is blind. Think about the sort of love is paul talking about? He says a lovers life is exemplary and circumspect. He means when our feeling are cashed out they are an example to others to follow. We take notice of circumstances and we are aware of potential consequences of our actions. Love is passionate but it is also prudent. But what I really love is that Pauls idea of lover is guided by the thought, what would make Jesus proud.
I pray we might be fruitful in love today, consumed by our saviours love for us. May we make him proud.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (Philippians 1:9-10 NIV)
The film Samson and Delilah shows life in an aboriginal community in central australia. Throughout Samson never says to Delilah that he loves her but he does. To show her affection he throws little stones at her. He visits her house uninvited. And Samson gets Delilah into trouble and great danger. He loves but doesn’t love well. He fails to protect her and she becomes a vulnerable victim.
When Paul prays for their love to grow, he isn’t hoping they will get all gushy but that they would love well. Like dough kneaded and worked, slowly developing structure for good bread. He is praying they would grow in thoughtfulness, resilience, concern and insight. Pray for love today.
God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:8 NIV)
We just watched a movie called the green hornet. It’s a spoof action hero movie. The main character is painfully shallow. His heroics are about his ego and being famous. He has no real concern for people at all. Paul on the other hand shows depth. I’m really quite inspired by him. He really cares for these people in Philippi. What is his inspiration? I think Paul is inspired by Jesus. When Paul thinks affection, he thinks Jesus. Paul cant stop thinking about jesus and he cant stop talking about jesus. You could say the love of Jesus has really rubbed off on him. I pray that the affection of Jesus might rub off on you today as you stop to remember how much Jesus loves you.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, (Philippians 1:4-5 NIV)
Reality tv fascinates me. What’s the fascination? In all the excited rushing around it constantly asks, how much can they take? May be it works because we are all able to relate to the highs and because we all know the feeling of discouragement. Like reality tv, the Philippians are feeling what paul is experiencing. Paul is in prison but he doesn’t want his trouble to discourage them. So he tells them what he does with all his spare time. He prays about how thankful he is about them. Right from the start, his letter is as much about passing on encouragement as giving advice. He says don’t give up. Fight on. Look beyond the current discouragement to the end game. Inspiring, isn’t it? What are you feeling today? If you’re feeling pushed and you’re wondering how much more you can take. Then think about Paul’s situation in prison and take courage because just like Paul our hope is found in Jesus.
Philippians 1
“To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons”
I’ve been researching the ethics of advertising to children. Australia has banned ads that sexualise kids. According to phycologists when people are treated as objects it weakens their identity and can cripple their growth and health. How solid is your identity? Is it strong or just surviving? Paul makes a statement about identity here, his friends in Philippi are holy in Christ. Today if you are spiritually united with Christ you can rise above the labels. Above the boxes: fat or ugly, awkward or boring or whatever. Its an identity without labels. We’re in Christ, we’re valid as we are. In fact we’re just perfect to him.
