Final Greetings 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Just a couple of final thoughts from Paul as he closes his letter to the Philippian church. He tells them to be welcoming and hospitable to all of their brothers and sisters in Christ. It would be dangerous at that time to openly greet one another and reveal that you knew someone that was a Christian and possibly reveal that you were both Christians as Christianity was being seen as a rebellion against the Roman empire since they would say "Christ is Lord" instead of "Caesar is Lord," and they would refuse to participate in emperor worship and talked of themselves being citizens of another kingdom that had sole allegiance to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Paul then let the church know that everyone who with Paul on his team sent their greetings as well and that there were even now Christians in the household of Caesar (and we see other places that there were converts among the very guards that were guarding Paul during his house arrest) so that this would encourage the Church that God's work was still being done and the gospel was going forth. It would also be encouraging to know that Paul still had access to his team members during this time and to the envoys that the church in Philippi had sent to him and that none of these people seem to have been arrested with Paul or for their association with Paul. Finally, Paul returns to the very same place he started. Compare Philippians 1:2 with Philippians 4:23. 1:2--"2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." 4:23--23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. The first and last thing that Paul wanted to say to this church is that he wished for them to experience the grace of God and the peace of God that comes through Christ Jesus our Lord. Only when we understand that we have been saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone and that God is faithful to complete the work that He started and bring it to completion in Christ Jesus and that no one and nothing can keep us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord and that our identity and status as adopted sons of God and co-heirs with Christ is something that will never change--then and only then can we have real joy and peace as we rest in the Lord and His promises and His work that He will do. Even when times are "dark" like Paul being in prison and the church being persecuted and false gospels being on the rise and it feeling like the end of the world was upon them (they seriously thought this and were ready for Jesus to come back at any time), we can still trust in the goodness of God and His plan and we'll see that His plan will not be thwarted by man or devil. God's gospel continued to go forth even in these circumstances and the very persecution that was oppressive both purified the church of many false teachers and false prophets and cause real, authentic Christianity to stand out and shine and was one of the greatest evangelistic tools of the time and many came to Christ because of the way that these Christians died as martyrs--people who may have never seen such men live, but they saw how they died and knew that these men and women were different if they were willing to go through torture and death and not recant. In our culture today we are in similar circumstances around the world where Christianity is forbidden and churches cannot meet openly. This epistle has been such an encouragement to the persecuted church throughout the ages--it was not just a word for the Philippians but for us as well to count it all joy when we face various trials (James 2:1-4). James 1:2-4 English Standard Version Testing of Your Faith 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 1 Peter 4:12-13 English Standard Version Suffering as a Christian 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 1 John 3:13-14 English Standard Version13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. John 16:32-33 English Standard Version32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” There are many other such passages that I could go to and quote (we've gone through some already and we hope to get to the others as we work through the entire Bible together) where Jesus promises suffering and tribulation, but He also promises joy, victory and that He will never leave us or forsake us and that nothing can snatch us away from Him or separate us from the love of the Father, Son and Spirit who together predestined us to be adopted as sons of God by the shedding of Christ's blood so that He could become a ransom for many.
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God's Provision 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Paul gets rejoices as the Philippian church being concerned for Paul and wanting to do something to help him in his time of trouble. He assures them that hearing of their desire to help him is enough for him and he knows their financial position and that they are unable to send a monetary gift, but remember that they already sent him Epaphroditus to encourage him and that was a great blessing to Paul.
Paul reinforces the idea that he was teaching before to rejoice in the Lord always and to fix our eyes on Christ as our portion and provision and not the circumstances. For many would think that Paul would be in desperate need being thrown in prison, but Paul said that he has learned to be content with whatever the Lord has provided him with, whether it is little or with much, so that in all things he might face the circumstances with the humility, courage and strength that comes from trusting in Christ alone--not just for salvation, but for our daily provision. Paul is again touched and encourages that the Philippians want to help Paul and his ministry in any way that they can, even if it brings trouble and suffering on them. Paul remembers that no other church entered into partnership with Paul (I think this means sending money to him on a regular basis as well as probably helping to collect a special offering for the persecuted Christians in Jerusalem) other than the church in Philippi, and the Macedonians had very little to give. We'd probably feel much the same way about this today if we sent missionaries to a place like Kosovo that has been ravaged by civil war for so long and where people are poor and destitute, but a small church there came together and heard about a pastor that was in prison (maybe somewhere in the Middle East) and wanted to take up an offering for him and make sure that he had food and clothes, and maybe even sent someone from their church to check on him and help take care of him. That would be amazing to us, right? But that's what the gospel does when we realize that it's not about us providing for our own needs, but it's about us as the Body of Christ taking care of each other as we all trust on God to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory which are in Christ Jesus (see verse 19). Paul thanks the church for their generosity in the past (making sure they know he is not asking for money now) and for sending Epaphroditus and the other gifts they have sent to him. He seeks to see God reward them for their faithfulness and their partnership with Paul. Paul makes sure though to end by giving all the glory to our God and Father and Paul ends his doxology with the word "Amen" meaning that what He has said is both true and certain. Proverbs 3:5-6 English Standard Version5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 4 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. The chapter division seems to have been made with one thought left from the previous section--that Paul longs for heaven and the rewards that will be awaiting him there. He encourages all the believers to also hold fast to this truth and likewise stand firm in the Lord.
Paul then starts to wrap up the letter with specific instructions for situations that have been told to him by the messenger from Philippi. Apparently there were a couple women that were fighting with each other and it sounds like their feud was interfering with God's work and preventing them from being able to work together. Paul told them that they needed to put an end to their feuding and for the church to come alongside and help these women live at peace with one another and help them do the work that God called them to do. Then probably some of the most well-known verses from the book of Philippians. "Rejoice in the Lord always." That is written as an imperative (it is a command), and it's a very hard command to keep. Paul even repeated it to make sure to emphasize it as things that were said twice had more importance in Greek (like our comparative form that usually ends in -er). We should be sober-minded (reasonable) not having our thoughts controlled by anyone or anything. We should be marked by self-control, one of the fruits of the Spirit. We should not be anxious about anything for anxiety comes from fear and fear is the opposite of faith--it comes from believing that our circumstances that we see are bigger than God who we cannot see instead of believing that the invisible God that we know intimately will carry us through anything. We already know the outcome--eternal life in heaven with Christ. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God and God has promised us that He will care for us as His own children. So then what is there to worry and be anxious about? "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7). How is that possible? Well, we have to start with remembering who God is. Adore Him for His attributes that are immutable (unchangeable) and ask Him to let you see those things again even if you don't see them right now. Thank Him for what He has done in the past and recite the history of what God has done for His people and for you specifically (your testimony). Tell this often to believers and non-believers because sometimes you are the one who needs to hear this again to remember. Finally, after all this and remember who God is and what He has done, boldly approach the throne of grace with your supplications (your requests that still burden you) knowing that God is the only one big enough to deal with them and leave put it completely in God hands. Leave the burden there and let God be responsible for the outcome. Don't go back and try to pick it up after you've laid it down. In this way, the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus as you will have no more need to worry or be anxious. You choose how you respond to your situations. Do you turn them over to Christ or do you try to handle them in your own strength? You are not big enough or strong enough to handle even your own issues let alone the problems of the world, but the shoulders of Christ are broad enough to carry not only the weight of the cross, but the cares of those who cast their cares upon Him. Last, but not least, Paul gives them some additional instructions related to not being anxious and rejoicing in the Lord always as this is mostly a battle that is fought in the mind. Paul tells the believers in Philippi to fill their minds (and hearts) with the things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. If we fill ourselves with these things, it should push everything else out and these things should keep our mind focused on Christ, the work He has done, the work He can do and the work He has promised to do in and through us (and that He has promised to bring to completion). Paul then points to himself again and encourages them to imitate him so that the peace of God will be with them. Straining Toward the Goal 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Paul clarifies that he, who many consider to be a "super apostle" (not a term he'd apply to himself) still is struggling with the things he talked about in the last section--to be joined with Christ in his sufferings and death and his resurrection. Why? Because Christ Jesus made Paul His own! That statement couldn't be more true given the Damascus Road experience that Saul, persecutor of Christians, had when Jesus open the heavens, knocked him off his horse, blinded him with the light of His glory and said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 9:4)
Paul knew that it was not what lay behind that is important, but the prize that lies ahead. This is what makes the runner run with endurance the race that is set before him. (See Hebrews 12:1) Paul adopts this same language of an athlete striving for the prize and pressing on with endurance--and Paul points out that the prize is the call of Christ that we have already received, yet will come to completing on that glorious day. Paul doesn't care if everyone understood this or not. He said that the spiritually mature would think like this (that to have Christ is to have everything) and that eventually God would convince anyone who thought otherwise of the truth of what Paul was saying. It's not about mansions or crowns or even sitting at His right hand or His left. It's just about having Jesus now and forevermore. Paul then encourages the Philippian believers to follow after him as he continues to strive to follow after Christ. This is a hard thing for any man to say. It was one thing for Jesus to say to His disciples, "Follow Me," for He was God in the flesh and was the one that they should be following, but it is quite another for any man...even a converted man...to say to other men, "join in imitating me." This seems rather bold of Paul, but Paul would not say this if he were not someone that they could and should be imitating. Not only did Paul tell them to walk in his ways, but also in the ways of all those who were walking according to the example that Paul and his coworkers has left for the church. There are many that have turned away from what they had been taught and are now enemies of the cross, the gospel and of Christ. Neither the Philippians nor us should follow the example of such men. Their end is destruction and their only desire is to satisfy their own lusts (the "belly" was the place of passion for the Greeks as they attached the stomach with all appetites). Paul says they fulfill these fleshly desires in ways that should bring shame on them (probably referring to sexual sin) and they have their minds set on earthly things and not the things that are of the kingdom of God. But God has called us to be citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and to be in the world but not of the world. We await for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who one day will return and change all of us to be in His very likeness so that we too are prepared to live with Him forever in His kingdom and all things in heaven and on earth and under the earth will be put into subjection to His authority at that time. Righteousness Through Faith in Christ 3 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: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-- 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Paul seems to be writing his conclusion and final words to the Philippian church here (Paul seems to be known for doxologies and benedictions in the middle of his letters because he'd start to end the letter and then remember something else he wanted to say). In this case, Paul wants to leave them with the message (finally) that they should rejoice in the Lord. He also adds that it's been no trouble at all for him to write to them, that it's safe for him to do so, and we know previously that it he has longed to get word to them to encourage them and to hear back from them (hopefully in a face-to-face meeting).
Paul now switches from encouragement to warning. There are evildoers that Paul calls "dogs" that are out tear them to pieces. My best guess give that Paul is once again talking about circumcision is that the Judaisers are still giving Paul and the early Church problems at this point. Paul's response this time is that if anyone had reason to trust in his pedigree and good works outside of Christ, it was Paul. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews--the kind of Jewish man that every Jewish mother wanted her boys to grow up to be like and probably the one they got sick of being compared to. I can hear them saying now, "Why can't you be more like Saul of Tarsus?." But everything that Paul (at that time Saul of Tarsus) would have counted gain was utterly worthless when it came to salvation and had to be "counted as loss for the sake of Christ." We must be "poor in spirit" realizing that we are spiritually bankrupt and have no currency with which to come and buy the salvation that God is offering. It is not for sale, it is a "free gift," but at the same time, it will cost us everything. Paul again reiterates that everything in his life before Christ is to be considered as rubbish (some translations might say dung)--anything worthless and detestable. Paul can say this because of the surpassing value of Christ that everything else is worthless in comparison to His all-surpassing worth. There is so much to gain here that it is worth the "trade" to give up all that we were to gain all that He is! Paul lays to rest here the idea of being found righteous in any other way other than being found in the righteousness of Christ alone (as if that wasn't clear enough in the book of Galatians). There is no righteousness that will be found in the works of the Law--only by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And what is the purpose of this? That we might become more and more like Christ--even if that means sharing in His sufferings and death. so that we may also know the power of His resurrection and be a part of that resurrection to a body that is like Christ's and fit for an eternity in the kingdom of God.. Timothy and Epaphroditus 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. Paul now decides that he needs to send an envoy ahead of himself because the church in Philippi needs the encouragement and to be cheered up before Paul may be able to arrive (if he's able to make it to them at all). Paul hopes to send Timothy to them--one of Paul's closest and most-trusted co-workers during his missionary journeys in Asia (modern day Turnkey) and Europe (Macedonia, Greece, Italy, and possibly other areas).
He knows that Timothy will look after them and care for them like they are his own sheep and will not treat them like how a hired under-shepherd treats sheep that do not belong to him. Timothy will be genuinely concerned for their welfare and will look after them as Jesus and not fleece the flock for their own self-interest like so many other church leaders that Paul knew would do. Timothy had proven himself to be a man of integrity that could be trusted with any task great or small and had become like a son to Paul--therefore it was like a father sending his son to them as him emissary or envoy. Paul tells them that first he wants to see how it will go with him (maybe to figure out how much longer he'd be in prison, maybe to figure out if they were going to execute him) so that Timothy can also bring that news and if he believes it will end in freedom that he might make arrangements to follow shortly behind Timothy and Timothy can relay this news to the church. Paul is much older than Timothy and it would take him longer to travel. Until that time, Paul needed Timothy with him by his side and could not send him, but Paul was going to send them Epaphroditus to carry the letter and to take care of their needs for the moment. Since we don't see Epaphroditus mentioned anywhere else in the Bible and he is called "your messenger" and longs to see the church members, it is likely that he was the person sent by the church to Paul with their letter that Paul is responding to and that he was sent to help take care of Paul's needs, but Paul thinks that he needs to send him back as soon as possible so that he can bring the letter and Paul's encouragement to the church. Apparently Epaphroditus got sick on the way or while he was there helping Paul and the church back home was concerned about his well-being when they heard how ill he had gotten. Apparently Epaphroditus was so sick that most thought he was going to die, but Paul says that God saved him for Paul's sake so that he would not feel the sorrow of the loss of a friend in addition to the sorrow of the loss of his freedom. Paul knew that seeing Epaphroditus healthy was just the kind of encouragement that the church in Philippi needed and so he was eager to send Epaphroditus to them with this letter to them, and to do so as quickly as possible so that he too may be less anxious and might receive some word back about how the church in Philippi was doing and how they had received the news. All Paul has at this time are the letters that are delivered to him by couriers from the churches and the envoys that they send to him to bring him news of what's going on. The sooner he sends them back with his response, the sooner that he might hear back from them and he longs to hear from the church members because they are like children to him and it is hard for a father to be separated from his children, especially when he knows that his children are hurting and worried about him. Paul asked that they give Epaphroditus a hero's welcome because he nearly died to accomplish the work that Christ had called him to do--the work that the church felt that they "owed" Paul for what he had done in bringing the gospel to them. It was the least they could do to send someone to him while he was impassioned to help take care of him. This is not the last we'll hear of Epaphroditus in this letter, but we will not hear about him elsewhere, yet he seems to be another valued co-worker and minister of the gospel alongside Paul. Personally, I love this passage and others like it because it reminds me that the apostles like Paul were not out there doing it all alone and they had a team of people they had discipled that helped them and were there to take ownership and leadership as well as people within the local churches that he helped plant that were close friends of his and it was hard for him to hear that any person or church was discouraged or suffering because of what was going on with him. These are all things that are very real to someone that lives a life of ministry, especially full-time ministry. Make sure to encourage your pastors, but also those who minister to groups of churches. Don't be afraid to form close friendships with them as they desire to have real people that genuinely care about them that will encourage them and pray for them on a regular basis--very often it's hard for pastors and church leaders to find people that will be willing to minister to them, and they need it too. That part of what we see here in this passage. Also, are you the kind of person that your church might send as a messenger to represent them? Even though this man , Epaphroditus, is rarely mentioned, he seems quite important to Paul. Are you maybe being called to be like Timothy to someone or do you need to maybe train someone us to be like Timothy for your ministry? Who in your group could you trust to take care of God's flock in your absence? Can others trust you with that kind of responsibility? Are you the kind of person that would be said of them that you would look out for the Church in the same way that Christ would without a hint of selfishness or ambition for personal gain? Are you a "spiritual son" to anyone? Are you looking to be a "spiritual father" to others like Paul was? We'll study more about this idea later and will learn much more about Timothy and his ministry to Paul and alongside Paul as we keep studying the Bible together. Lights in the World 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. Paul reminds the Philippian church to not obey only when someone like Paul is watching over them, but to do it because God is always watching over them and is working out His will and His works in and through them. For this reason, they should be encouraged by the words, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." because right after this they are told that they are actually not doing the work, but allowing God the Holy Spirit to do the work in and through them for God's glory and His good pleasure.
With this in mind, we should be doing all the things that God has called us to do and be all the things that God has called us to be without any grumbling, complaining or disputing. Do not be like the children of Israel during their wanderings in the wilderness that had God living amongst them and miracles shown to them every day and yet it seemed like at ever turn they grumbled, complained, and desired to go back to Egypt (back to their life of slavery to sin) instead of living the challenging life in the wilderness where God provided for all their needs in miraculous ways so that He would get the glory. Their response should have been worship, but it was not. Instead we are called to be blameless and innocent (holy and righteous) children of God who like the Son of God were without blemish. This is in stark contrast to the world who are children of their father, the devil, and who are described here as "a crooked and twisted generation." We are told to let our light shine in the darkness among these men and to hold fast to the word of life (the Scriptures). Remember Jesus gave a similar command to us to tell us to let our light shine so that they may see the light and glorify your Father in heaven. Paul says that if we do this then we will be workman that need not be ashamed and Paul would be proud that he too did not run his race in vain. For what if he spent his whole life after conversion taking the gospel to the Gentiles and all of them fell away and none truly repented and believed? Paul returns to the idea that he may die soon and be "poured out as a drink offering." Remember that he thought that God would spare him so that he could continue to work with the churches that needed him, but Paul is still not convinced that this isn't the end. So he prepared the hearts of the Philippians to say that even if this is the end for him he will rejoice and be glad and wants them to do the same, because God is faithful and will continue to do His work in and through them whether or not Paul is there. We may start our Christian walk by someone saying "follow me as I follow Christ" as Paul did for these people, but eventually we must be willing to follow Christ on our own and fix our eyes on Him and Him alone, because every man we follow will fail us at some point. Those who are depending on any other man for their salvation other than the God-Man Christ Jesus are building their life upon shifting sand instead of on the Solid Rock. Otherwise, what happens when that person is no longer there and you don't have someone to follow or tell you what to do? God will never leave you or forsake you! Learn to speak to Him directly as He wants to work out His will in and through you. |
Daniel WestfallI will mostly use this space for recording my "journal" from my daily devotions as I hope to encourage others to read the Bible along with me and to leave a legacy for others. Archives
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