“Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:1
Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi is an extraordinary one, not only because of the subjects he covers in the book, but because of the things that he has learned, and is learning. His objective is to communicate certain truths, or salient features, to the believers there, so that they too can become participants in this life of Christ, and this, in fullest measure. The overall objective is that, out of a fellowship with Christ, an ever-deepening knowledge of Christ and His power, the testimony of such a life will be seen and known in that city which Paul describes as being part of a “…crooked and perverse nation.” (2:15) The call of God, by the learning of these great, essential truths, is a call to every believer to shine in the darkness and ignorance of that day and place, ever by faith “…holding forth the word of LIFE.” (v.16) Christ dwells in the hearts of the believers in Philippi, but Paul’s goal is to call forth the testimony and witness of this blessed, overcoming, holy life, so that not only the effects of sin will be countered, but that many would see and know the reality of the Life of Christ, and believe on Him. How will the Apostle be led in what he writes to these believers, so that their testimony and experience will triumph over the manifest darkness, crookedness, and perversion?
Let us begin by realizing that he is addressing “…all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi.” (1:1) Since every believer is IN Christ, and Christ in them, the call is the same. The word of exhortation is also the same. In chapter one, Paul brings every one to see, and be concious of the the fact that, “…He (God) which hath begun a good work in you, WILL PERFORM it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (1:6) Every believer needs to be brought to see the reality that God is not silent, passive, and “might” work in the heart and life. NO. Christ died on Calvary, not only to save the soul, but to transform the life by the Spirit, according to the truth of the Gospel. God the Father, by the Spirit, is operative now, and will be, until faith becomes sight at Christ’s coming, or the believer goes to be with Him. So, the first thing is to know and believe that God IS working, and that He is faithful to pursue His objective in every believer’s life.
Secondly, another important truth is brought out in a prayer of the Apostle. He wrote: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent…” (1:9-10) In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he begins in somewhat the same way by declaring: “Now the end (or goal) of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of a faith unfeigned.” (1Tim. 1:5) The great objective for the Philippians and Timothy is that they should truly know, and show, this saving love of God in Christ by the Spirit. All teaching has for its objective that the greatest revelation of the love of God should be manifested, and revealed to the world, through the living church, the body of Christ.
Thirdly, Paul makes it very clear what is the centerpiece of faith. It is that Christ is the life of the believer, and to know Him is the goal. He writes very simply, yet knowing the profound ramificaitons in the life: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (1:21)
Having the mind of Christ, rejoicing in the Lord always, and living a life of prayer for all things, are great essentials necessary for Christ by the Spirit to be “seen and heard” in the believers in Philippi. God’s works to reveal Christ, making Him increasingly known in every life.
Dear Father, Fill us with Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.