The tone of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is joyous—and as he prepared his final words to them, he exhorted them to let the Lord give them joy. In this short epistle, a form of the word joy occurs twelve times. What is true joy? Inward joy comes from knowing and trusting God; happiness comes as a result of pleasant circumstances. Inward joy is lasting; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles; happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances.Paul was able to rejoice in spite of his suffering because he knew and trusted God. He did not let his circumstances discourage him.
Paul’s goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him. This goal absorbed all his energy. This provides a helpful example. We should not let anything take our eyes off our goal—knowing Christ. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. What is holding you back?
Paul saw the Christian life as a process. While believers are considered righteous when they accept salvation, their entire lives are marked by growth toward Christlikeness. Complete perfection will not be obtained until Christ’s second coming, when he will take his people with him. While Paul may have seemed like a nearly perfect Christian to his Philippian friends, he emphasized that he had not achieved perfect knowledge of Christ, the power of his resurrection, or the sharing of his suffering and death.
All of these were part of the process of sanctification—of working toward that day when we can be all that Christ Jesus saved us to be and wants us to be.
As a runner straining toward the finish line, Paul pressed on to reach the end of the race and receive the prize. While Paul didn’t identify the prize, it seems from his writing that the prize refers to gaining a full knowledge of Jesus Christ . Paul aimed to win the prize. May that be the goal of our life as well.
Paul used two key words for discipleship: pattern and example. Paul challenged the Philippians to pursue Christlikeness by following Paul’s own example and the examples of others whose lives were based on his. This was not egotism on Paul’s part, for Paul always focused on Jesus Christ and urged the believers to also follow the example of others who followed Christ. They should not follow false teachers or the enemies of the cross.
Instead, as Paul focused his life on being like Christ, so should they. The Gospels may not yet have been in circulation, so Paul could not tell them to read the Bible to see what Christ was like. Therefore he urged them to imitate him as a practical guide for conduct. That Paul could tell people to follow his example is a testimony to his character. Can you do the same? What kind of follower would a new Christian become if he or she imitated you?
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
Once again, I am blown away by the all-out commitment of Paul. Man I want that to be one of the trade marks of my life. Would to God that this would be the heart of the people of COV - all out - sold out - wholehearted in their love of God and their desire to live for Him.
God, raise up those people at COV. Draw them to Your word. Drive them to their knees in prayer. Grow them. Mature them. Inspire them and walk with them. Give them a heart for those who don't know you. Give them a heart to serve. Lord, day by day, make them more like Your Son Jesus.
Lord, walk with the parents of our church. Lord, use them to be the role models of faith and passion for their children. May their kids see in them a love for You that is greater than any love they have for anything or anyone else.
Lord, help me be the hands and feet of Christ today - to everyone I encounter. AMEN.
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