December 17, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Philippians 1 - The theme of Philippians is to "Joyfully Experience the Life of Christ."  Paul's statement in verse 21, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain" sets the tone for this book.  Paul enjoyed his relationship with Christ and loved to preach about Him and to hear others were doing the same, verse 18.  Earlier in verse 6 Paul expressed his confidence that what God started in his life, God would complete!

Philippians 2 - Paul encouraged the believers to "let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" verse 5.  He expressed in verses 1-4 the characteristics of godly believers which were the pattern of Jesus' life.  Paul gives us the grand affirmation that Jesus is the name "above every name" verse 9, and that one day "every knee should bow...and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" verses 10,11.

Philippians 3 - Paul warned against legalistic teachers, verses 2,3 and that the Christian should desire to focus their ultimate desire on knowing Christ and "the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death."  Paul also reminds the believers that their citizenship is in heaven where they will receive a body "conformed to" Christ's body, verses 20,21. 

Philippians 4 - Paul calls for believers to "rejoice" verse 4.  Someone has said that "joy" is what we feel within our hearts, and "rejoice" is what we do outwardly to express the joy from within.  Paul also gives God's clear prescription for the issue of anxiety:  PRAY and give thanks!  The result will be the "peace of God which surpasses all understanding" verse 6,7!  Paul also expresses that he has "learned in whatever state" he is in "to be content" verse 11.  And it is in this context that Paul gives the promise that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."