Philippians 1 – For Me to Live is Christ
Find the positive – even when things look dim (1:15-24).
Paul wasn’t sure if he was going to live or die for his faith. What’s the worst thing that can happen to us? Death. But what was Paul’s perspective on death? Whether he lives or dies, for him – to live is Christ. This sounds nuts, doesn’t it? It does until you understand it.
When people oppose you, when things get us down even as we seek to follow Christ, rejoice – is what Paul says. Rejoice means that we are not just joyful but we’re overflowing with joy. It’s joyfulness X 10! We can rejoice because Christ will vindicate us no matter what happens. Whether we live or die, our lives as Christians are always a “win-win proposition” with Jesus Christ (1:21-23).
In v. 24-26, Paul reminds us to rejoice, because even though things may look bleak at times, God still has a plan for your life. There is a basic plan for every single follower of Jesus. What is it? Paul alludes to it in this passage – he cares about helping these young Philippian believers live life the way God intended. Paul could rejoice because he was living out God’s plan of pouring his life into others. As we align our lives with God’s heart for people, we experience joy. Why? Because we’re in the middle of God’s will. God loves people. As we invest in others, we’re living out His basic, fundamental will — loving others and helping them love God as Christians.
That became Paul’s focus here with the Philippians and this focus kept his mind on Christ and not on his circumstances. So he experienced joy because his life was aligned with God’s perfect will. Can we say – “for me to live is Christ” as Paul did?
Philippians 1 – God Is Right Beside Us
Look for God to be at work in all of your circumstances (1:12-14).
The Apostle Paul, the author of Philippians, was in trouble as he wrote the letter. But he was able to see God in the midst of his troubles.
God often surprises us at how He uses the gospel to touch lives. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. (Isa 55:8)
Circumstances may look bleak. But, if we are all about helping people understand or live out the gospel, then we can trust that whatever circumstances we find ourselves in is exactly where God wants us to be. God may even surprise us in how he gets the word out to others about Christ.
See the things that happen in your life as opportunities for God to work and for Christ to shine through you to others – especially to those who need a renewed connection with Christ (1:13-14).
Paul could have turned his back on the Praetorian Guard but instead he saw it as an opportunity to share God’s love with people who really needed it. Custom has it that Paul was chained to a guard at all times. Can you imagine being chained to Paul!? You’re going to hear about and see the incredible life of Christ even in the most dire of circumstances.
This way, God was able to reach a people group (i.e., royal guard) that may never have been reached. Are you looking for God in your tough circumstances? Does God want to surprise you by using to love someone that needs it and you may be the one He wants to use to do it?
One side thing that God did because of Paul’s steadfastness was to embolden other Christians to openly share their faith story with others. Because of Paul’s courage, the Philippians became courageous in reaching out to others. We miss tons of blessings in life that God wants to give us because we just don’t look for Him to be at work – even when things are tough.
The Ancient Philippian Church and Joy
God will enable those who are fully devoted to Jesus Christ to have an internal climate control. And, joy is the thing that controls the setting. This internal climate control keeps us comfortable regardless of what’s going on outside around us. It’s kind of like the climate control thermostat that we all all have in our homes. It regulates the temperature in the house to keep us comfortable, calm and secure feeling.
Our spiritual climate control is a lot like that. But, God only gives spiritual climate control to anyone who stays close to God on a daily basis – who say to God “Lord, take my life – it’s yours. You can’t just determine to have climate control in your life. It’s not something that we can seek on our own initiative. It’s a byproduct of a life lived closely with Jesus Christ. Climate control is a byproduct of reading and meditating on the Bible so it sinks into your inner soul. Climate control is a byproduct of a life that is surrendered to God every day — i.e., God, have your way with me today, guide me, lead me and show me what you want me to do.
A Journey Through the Book of Philippians (1)
With all that we’re facing in uncertain times, we all need a little more joy in our lives. It’s not just some casual thing that would be nice to have. We have a fundamental emotional need for joy. God wants to meet our deepest needs – including our need for joy.
We’re beignning a journey through the Book of Philippians on November 16th. We’ll explore how God has given Chrisitans an internal climate control that includes a number of joy-builders to help us experience life the way God intended – regardless of what’s going on around us.
I hope you can join us!
Fireproofing Our Relationships – Part 5
The New Testament has three words for love: eros, phileos, and agape.
Erotic comes from eros. The name of the city – Philadelphia – means brotherly love comes from phileos. And agape refers to a love that goes well beyond eros and phileos.
Eros love is a sensual kind of love and it asks the question, WHAT CAN I GET OUT OF THIS?
Phileos is relational love and it asks the question, WHAT CAN WE GET OUT OF THIS?
Agape is unconditional, deeper love and it asks the question, WHAT CAN YOU GET OUT OF THIS?
Another way to think of these is,
EROS LOVES WHEN …
PHILEOS LOVES BECAUSE …
AGAPE LOVES IN SPITE OF …
For love to last for a lifetime in a marriage relationship, agape love is a better way of loving (1 Cor 13).
