Choose Joy (Philippians)
One of the things we battle against in our walk with Christ is the constant distractions that we meet. In some cases, the distractions are idolatrous (hobbies, jobs, or possessions). In other cases, our distractions are strife and disunity between one another. But, in every case, selfishness is at the root of the problem. We lose sight of what is most important, and we let ourselves pursue the unimportant. Why?
Paul sees that very clearly as he sits in his prison cell. He knows exactly what is going on in Philippi because he has a friend Epaphroditus who has explained it to him. Paul never once calls them evil people. They seem entirely faithful, but they need to grow spiritually in their love and discernment between good and evil.
Paul's Prayer
In the first chapter, he tells them that he loves them because of their work in the kingdom. They are continually providing support for Paul and trying to join him in spreading the gospel. For that, Paul is thankful to God for them. However, they aren't holy and blameless as God called them to be. They still need something else. They need to be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ so they can glorify and praise God with their lives.
Paul's Circumstances
After he tells them how thankful he is for them and describes his prayer for their spiritual growth, he tells them about his situation. He is in prison, but he is not worried about it. He sees good in his circumstance.
Philippians 1:12--14 (ESV) --- 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Notice how Paul's imprisonment has transformed many Christians' hearts so that they are boldly speaking the word. Paul serves as an example of genuine love and devotion to God. Some spoke out with the wrong intentions, but many spoke out with genuine love and desire to please God.
In the next paragraph, we learn that the government could put Paul to death, but even that doesn't bother him. He says, "To live is Christ, to die is gain." Why should death be a scary thing for any Christian to face? We get to be with Christ, and it is good to die while seeking his glory. But he is confident that Jesus will deliver him as he always has in the past. Paul is happy either way because living means more fruitful labor for him.
In all of Paul's circumstances, notice his attitude. He doesn't appear defeated or depressed. He is joyful about his opportunities even when the opportunities look like huge disappointments. Paul deserves to be at the right hand of caesar telling him what Jesus wants, but he is in prison with limited resources and limited opportunities to preach. He doesn't get down and depressed. He learns to flourish wherever he is planted. His attitude is one that shows his gratitude. He's just thankful to be in Christ no matter what circumstance he faces. He wants the Philippians to see that attitude so they can emulate it.
Live Worthy of the Gospel
Then we transition with critical verses in the text.
Philippians 1:27--28 (ESV) --- 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
Paul wants these Philippians to live up to the salvation they have received. He wants them to have a manner of life that is worthy of the gospel. What does that mean? It means becoming a Christian is not just a change in the way we think or believe. It is a change in the way we live and act. They need to change how they act to make sure that their life is moving toward God's expectation for holiness and purity. Paul is not saying that they must become worthy of the gospel. None of us are worthy of the gospel. But he is saying that they must grow closer to perfection. They must be striving for that level of worthiness. That means that there will be observable fruits in their lives. The rest of the book is trying to describe those fruits in different ways. All of these fruits are promoting an overall goal of unity.
Philippians 2:3--8 (ESV) --- 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
United Through Humility
First, those who live worthy of the gospel promote unity through humility. Notice in verse 27 he says that he wants to hear they are standing firm in one spirit. He wants to see the unity of mind as they strive together. In Chapter 2, he says that unity comes through humility.
Philippians 2:3 (ESV) --- 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
We have to consider each other as being more important than ourselves. This is what Christ did when he came down from heaven to unite us with him. We have been studying this in Matthew. If we refuse to become lowly, like little children, we won't enter the kingdom. We need humility. God will exalt us in due time.
United Through Selfless Love
Second, those who live worthy of the gospel also demonstrate selfless love.
Philippians 2:4 (ESV) --- 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
They should have genuine care and concern for others as Christ does for them. He exemplifies that later on in Chapter 2 with Timothy. He tells them that Timothy will come to them soon with a genuine concern for their welfare. That's the way the Philippians need to feel toward one another. They need humility and selfless love.
United Through Sacrificial Devotion
Third, those who live worthy of the gospel demonstrate sacrificial devotion. Jesus became obedient to the point of death for us to live. This idea is a central theme throughout this letter. He is the ultimate example to follow.
Philippians 2:8 (ESV) --- 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Notice his devotion to the will of God was not restricted. Nothing was off-limits. He would let anything go to serve God. Paul's imprisonment shows that he has that mentality, and later in the letter, we find out that Epaphroditus lives that way. Epaphroditus is the messenger who brought the funds to Paul, and he is the one carrying the letter. Paul tells us that he almost died trying to bring the money to Paul.
Philippians 2:29--30 (ESV) --- 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
This man is one of them, and he is with them, setting the example of how to be sacrificially devoted to Christ.
United Through Rejoice in the Lord
The fourth way we live worthy of the gospel is by rejoicing in the Lord. Paul wants the Philippians to live worthy of the gospel by rejoicing in Jesus, who made the gospel possible. Jesus didn't come to earth and die for us so we would be sad about leaving the world. He came to give us the good news that we can rejoice in. Chapter 3 contrasts those who are rejoicing in the Lord and those who are making themselves sad over the loss of this world. Losing this world can either be a sad thing or a happy thing depending on our attitude. Paul's attitude is to joyfully relinquish everything this world has to offer so that he may gain Christ. He doesn't care about this world's goods. He cares about coming to know Jesus and experiencing the blessings of eternal life. This is an excellent fruit that Paul wants all Philippians to produce in their lives.
Philippians 3:7--16 (ESV) --- 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--- 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
I love this passage because it reveals the mind and heart of Paul. We might ask, "How could anyone have the attitude of 'to live is Christ, to die is gain?'" Here is where we find the answer. Paul sees the surpassing value of knowing Christ as being greater than anything this world has to offer. This world is full of temporary things that do not help us become like Jesus. These things do nothing to create spiritual growth and holiness. They distract us from the goal. We need this as our focus. We want to be like Jesus.
Notice the phrase at the end. He says, "Let those of us who are mature think this way." This is what he wants the Philippians to do. He wants them to strive to know Christ because they love him. He wants them to let go of what they have on this earth and go all-in on serving him. But notice the specific things Paul let go of. He let go of his accomplishments and pride. He rejoices over finding righteousness through Jesus and faith. This is what he cares most about and rejoices over.
Warning
After giving them four ways to live worthy of the gospel, he warns them of the greatest distraction they will face (discouraging people).
Philippians 3:2 (ESV) --- 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
Notice how he describes the bad people as dogs. These are people who focus on their works and their accomplishments instead of rejoicing in the Lord. Those who focus on the wrong thing become proud, self-loving, and devoted to their own glory instead of genuinely being devoted to Christ.
Philippians 3:17--21 (ESV) --- 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Some are enemies of the cross of Christ! What a bold statement. What does that mean? It means that some are the exact opposite of what Paul has called them to be. Instead of being humble, they are proud. Instead of having selfless love, they are selfishly ambitious. They do not sacrifice. They seek their own gain. Look out for people who refuse to rejoice in Christ. They will lead you to destruction.
Then, he calls out two women who seem to be struggling with harmony. They must set an example of humility and selfless love.
Promises of Peace
He finishes the exhortation of the letter with promises of peace from God. He says that in all of his anxieties, he can find peace as he focuses on rejoicing in the Lord. Knowing that Jesus has loved him enough to die for him and give him the hope of resurrection makes all of the trials on earth seem small. So, he tells them to focus their minds on good things that will help them grow worthy of the gospel they have received. If they do that, God will be with them and give them peace.
Conclusion
He ends his letter with thanks for their contribution to his cause. They have provided for him while he is in prison and supported his work again. He rejoices in the Lord for men and women who are willing to give some of what God has given them to support his work.
What's The Message?
As Paul approaches the life or death verdict, he wants the Philippians to carry the right attitude and mentality toward life. Life is not about being the greatest or most successful in a worldly sense. Paul achieved that level of fame and prestige, but now he is in prison rejoicing over all that Christ has done for him. He knows that to die in the Lord is better than to live without him. He wants them to know that as well. He wants to encourage the brethren to live worthy of the gospel with holiness and humility. He points out multiple examples of selfless love and devotion for them to emulate.
Application
What is our mentality toward the Christian walk? Are we joyful about living a humble, selfless, and devoted life? It is so easy for us to become distracted by the dogs who tell us life is about what we can accomplish. It is also easy to be distracted by those who tell us life is about satisfying our bellies. Life is actually supposed to be about knowing Jesus. The best way to know him is to read his words, live the type of life he lived, and endure the suffering he endured. Are we humble, full of selfless love, and sacrificially devoted? If we aren't careful, we can become wholly self-focused and distracted from the gospel. Instead of rejoicing in Christ, we can rejoice in the world. Instead of taking up a cross, we can take up something else and devote ourselves to it. Paul encourages the Philippians and us to find joy in Christ.
Philippians 3:8--10 (ESV) --- 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--- 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
We need these verses in us. They need to permeate everything we love and reduce them in value. Christ must become our ultimate source of joy and motivation for good works. The more grateful our hearts are, the more dedicated we are to living worthy of the gospel.
Conclusion
Some of the first and last words in the book reflect how Paul feels toward about life. Is this the way we feel?
Philippians 1:21 (ESV) --- 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV) --- 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Remember all that you have in Christ and be grateful for his continual care. He will supply every need. Rejoice in him always; again I will say, rejoice.