Philippians 1:1-11
Eugene Peterson calls Philippians "Paul's happiest letter" (The Message, Navpress, 2004, p 1600) and in a time of year when we are fighting the cold outside (or cold viruses in our homes), I think a joyful Word is most welcome. Over the next 8 weeks, I will be sharing reflections through the book of Philippians based on the pre-supposition that the life Paul describes and exhorts his reader towards is available to us in Christ.
Philippians 1:1-11
The first thing that caught my eye when I read this portion of Scripture is how many times the word "all" is used: "all the saints" (vs 1); "all my prayers" (vs 4), "all of you" (vs 4, 7 x 2, & 8). Add into that the "always" of verse 3 and the tone of the letter is very expansive. Paul doesn't want anyone in that church to think they are left out of his prayers, confidence, or love. Where does he get that kind of capacity?
I think the text gives us the answer. Verse 6 "....He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." The capacity to be full of joy, grace, faith, and love comes from God whose capacity is so great that He won't stop the work He is doing until the day Christ returns.
It's this confidence in God's great power, grace, and love that allows Paul to pray the prayer of verses 9-11...."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 until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." Paul is asking for a lot here. He wants the Philippians to love well and live well. He believes that this is possible when they live in Jesus.
How about you? Do you long to be in someone's heart the way the Philippians are in Paul's? (vs 7) Do you desire to have an increased capacity to love, prayer for, and nurture those the Lord has put into your life? Do you need to be reassured that God won't stop His work in you? Do you resonate with the prayer for love that is insightful? a life that is blameless and righteous?
All these things hinge on one thing - the Philippians' "partnership in the gospel" (vs 5). Paul points out that they "share in God's grace with me" (vs 7). These things Paul is experiencing and praying for are possible when we receive the grace of God freely given to us in Christ Jesus.
So what are we to do? I have two suggestions:
1) Trust that the gospel is true - God's grace is available to all! Make it a practice to continually re-orient yourself to God's grace.
2) Start praying like Paul for yourself and others. You could use verses 3-6 or 9-11 as a guide.
Philippians 1:1-11
The first thing that caught my eye when I read this portion of Scripture is how many times the word "all" is used: "all the saints" (vs 1); "all my prayers" (vs 4), "all of you" (vs 4, 7 x 2, & 8). Add into that the "always" of verse 3 and the tone of the letter is very expansive. Paul doesn't want anyone in that church to think they are left out of his prayers, confidence, or love. Where does he get that kind of capacity?
I think the text gives us the answer. Verse 6 "....He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." The capacity to be full of joy, grace, faith, and love comes from God whose capacity is so great that He won't stop the work He is doing until the day Christ returns.
It's this confidence in God's great power, grace, and love that allows Paul to pray the prayer of verses 9-11...."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 until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." Paul is asking for a lot here. He wants the Philippians to love well and live well. He believes that this is possible when they live in Jesus.
How about you? Do you long to be in someone's heart the way the Philippians are in Paul's? (vs 7) Do you desire to have an increased capacity to love, prayer for, and nurture those the Lord has put into your life? Do you need to be reassured that God won't stop His work in you? Do you resonate with the prayer for love that is insightful? a life that is blameless and righteous?
All these things hinge on one thing - the Philippians' "partnership in the gospel" (vs 5). Paul points out that they "share in God's grace with me" (vs 7). These things Paul is experiencing and praying for are possible when we receive the grace of God freely given to us in Christ Jesus.
So what are we to do? I have two suggestions:
1) Trust that the gospel is true - God's grace is available to all! Make it a practice to continually re-orient yourself to God's grace.
2) Start praying like Paul for yourself and others. You could use verses 3-6 or 9-11 as a guide.
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