The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the believers of Philippi in about 62 AD while he was a prisoner in Rome awaiting trial. He has already waited two years for his trial, having arrived in Rome in 60 AD. When he writes to the Philippians he doesn't yet know that he will never be a free man again, for he will speak of waiting to see how things are going to go for him. He doesn't know that he will lose his life during the reign of Emperor Nero to whom he appealed (which was his right as a Roman citizen) when he was arrested in Jerusalem. He expected a fair trial in Nero's court, but while he awaits his day in court a rabid hatred for Christians is beginning to simmer in Nero's heart. This mad emperor will soon become the Adolf Hitler of his day, being as much of an enemy to the Christians as Hitler was to the Jews.
Although Paul's circumstances are troubling, his letter to the Philippians is filled with joy. It's my favorite of all of Paul's letters. If I were in his shoes, I'd probably be concerned only with my own circumstances. I'd be feeling pretty down and out and I'd be looking for encouragement. But instead Paul spends his time encouraging and praying for his fellow believers. Maybe that's why he was able to endure his circumstances with such courage: he spent more time thinking about others than he did thinking about himself.
As we've already learned, Paul normally dictated his letters instead of putting pen to paper himself, and I think his friend Timothy was probably the one he dictated this letter to, for he mentions him in his salutation. "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:1-2) Have you ever thought of yourself as one of God's holy people? That's exactly who you are! You have been clothed with the holiness of Christ and if Paul were writing a letter to you today he'd say, "Greetings to you, God's holy person in Christ Jesus." You will never struggle with feelings of worthlessness if you keep in mind who God says you are in Christ. You are holy, chosen, precious, and loved.
Paul is going to tell his readers that he's praying for them. We love knowing people are praying for us, don't we? It comforts us to know others are lifting our names up to the Lord. There are times when we're so worried or grief-stricken that we can't pray for ourselves, and it's a relief to know that others are doing for us what we can't do for ourselves. Paul assures the church members of Philippi that they are constantly in his prayers. "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:3-6)
God's good work in us began on the day we accepted Christ Jesus as Lord. He continues to work on us every day, conforming us to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:29) God doesn't start projects and not finish them. He's never going to walk off and leave us half-done. He's not going to grow bored or tired or impatient. Until the day Christ comes, and we see Him as He is and we become like Him (1 John 3:2), God is busy doing a work of continual improvement in us. This work will be complete when our bodies, like our souls, have been transformed and we receive a body like Christ's.
The children's choir at my church often sings a little song called "He's Still Working On Me". For some reason that song was stuck in my head all day yesterday and I kept singing it over and over while I did my housework. The chorus goes: "He's still working on me, to make me what I need to be. It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be, 'cause He's still working on me."
We are far more important to the Lord than anything else He made. He's not going to stop working on us until we are complete and perfect. He's not going to say, "I've had enough! This one isn't ever going to come out right." Like a potter, He's going to work and rework us like clay. A day is coming when He will stand back and views us with satisfaction in the same way a craftsman views with satisfaction a job well done.
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