Scripture:
Philippians 1:3-18 NKJV
[3] I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, [4] always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, [5] for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, [6] being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; [7] just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. [8] For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. [9] And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, [10] that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, [11] being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. [12] But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, [13] so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; [14] and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. [15] Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: [16] The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; [17] but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. [18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Observation:
As Paul wrote this letter, he was sitting inside a Roman prison. But that didn’t stop him, as we have had the opportunity to read. In fact it only propelled his case further. So much that they had to continually change the guards that were watching over him, because if they had sat there too long Paul would lead them to salvation. As he begins this letter wanting this church to know that he is praying for them, and that he was confident in what Jesus was doing in them. This was a church that dove in with Paul, not only did they give financial gifts but they also sent individuals to care for him while he was in prison. True believers who knew who to love. They held a special place in Paul’s heart, and honestly you can tell by the way he writes to them. This short letter has a lot of encouragement in it. Verses that I have committed to my memory so that they will always be a part of me. His gratitude for their compassion is clear. He loved them like Jesus. Sitting inside a prison full of joy showed his willingness to suffer for the gospel. Which is what made the gospel spread. As he continued to pray for them what I noticed is that Paul didn’t pray a financial blessing over them; what he prayed is that their love grow to overflowing, with knowledge and discernment, that they would be sincere, and filled with the fruits of righteousness. While Paul has their attention through the letter, his desire to to let the church know that there is a reason for his suffering. It’s all about the gospel, and making it known. His willingness to suffer was the evidence that what he believed was the truth. I’m not sure of anyone who would die for a lie. Paul knew the reason for his imprisonment had a deeper purpose than just being in chains. His chains were not for him, and the longer he stayed there the more opportunity he had to bring the palace guard to salvation. The only thing the chains did was remove fear from not only Paul but those who were connected to him as well. Even though some of them preached a flawed gospel, as long as Christ’s name was being mentioned Paul didn’t seem to be too concerned about it. Knowing that some would preach with selfish motives and others would preach the truth. So here is what was going on: those who were part of Paul’s life prior to his conversation were trying to make him suffer even more, and those who had seen the true transformation were preaching Christ so that Paul’s suffering would be decreased. Paul’s confidence was not in those individuals, it was in Christ. He knew that GOD’S purpose would prevail. The work that had been started would not go unfinished. He had relinquished control, with an absolute confidence in what he knew to be true. The finished work of Christ.
Application:
At times it would be nice if the LORD moved a little faster. But none of this has to do with my timing. What I know without a doubt is that if the LORD started something, HE will finish it. Arguments and disputes over what we feel is right only leads to division. I believe what we have to remember is it’s all about Jesus and when we forget that we are heading in the wrong direction. All the other stuff in the Bible points to that. I have been in several conversations over the years that, at one point, left me thinking, “Man, they just don’t get it,” and feeling like I was right for thinking that way. But here is the thing. They were thinking about Jesus Christ, and if that was truly their desire HE would lead them to the truth. The work HE did on the cross finished it. Some people get caught up in life here, and the blessing of the LORD as they live here on earth. Some choose to be more concerned about building the kingdom of heaven. But what’s the point? Well I will tell you, that the name of Jesus is preached, because with that name being preach; HE will complete the work HE started. For me it has not happened overnight, it’s taking years for some of the behaviors that I had in the beginning to fall off. Scripture that comes to mind is in the 8th chapter of Romans I believe it starts in verse 26 and ends in verse 30 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of GOD. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love GOD to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. GOD knows what it’s going to take to get everyone to look up. As humans we want to get involved and think we can do it for HIM. It will never work that way. We have to trust in HIS finished work. Knowing that what HE started will not be left half way done. Getting people with the same grace that you were met with can be difficult. But it would have been nice if I would have learned from my dad’s mistakes…. But I didn’t. I had to make my own. But those mistakes brought me here… right now looking up for my answers. I’m not finished yet. HE is still working on me, but on the day of HIS return, the corruptible will be made incorruptible. That’s the finished work, HE is not done with you nor is HE done with anyone else. Just let HIM do HIS thing. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in GOD for pulling down strongholds.” we have to hit our knees and trust in what HE has already done. We are to be fishers of men, our job is to catch them… its HIS job to clean them.
Prayer:
Father, we trust that you are not done. We can see what you have done in us over the years, and trust that you will not leave us where we are now. Thank you for that. Father, you have begun the sanctification process and we are grateful for that. We know that you will see it through you said so on the cross… it is finished. The work was finished and we trust in that. As we see those who are still caught in the mess, we pray that the strongholds be broken in the mighty name of Jesus. Thank you for showing us how to fight this battle, it’s a lot easier than we might think, because the battle does not belong to us, it’s yours, and our weapons are your word and prayer. We lift up your high holy name and pray for every stronghold to be smashed, in the mighty name of Jesus. What a mighty GOD you are, and we are grateful to serve you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.