The Bible, Christians & Philippians

In Philippians, Paul teaches us about living a Christian life. Many non-Christians complain that people who profess to be Christian are mean spirited and judgmental. Just what does it mean to live a Christian life? Paul teaches us about humility, sacrifice, unity and most of all, joy.

The scene is Rome, 61 A.D. Paul is imprisoned there yet still preaching, to his guards and anyone who comes to him. He is literally bound in chains to a Roman guard. He receives a gift from the church he established in Philippi and writes the epistle, Philippians, to thank them for the gift.

In Chapter One, Paul teaches:

· God has begun a work in us and will continue to perfect us until the return of Christ. Upon our salvation, we invite Christ to live in us. Paul is instructing that Christ continues to work on us, transform us into perfect beings. (Vs. 6)

· In verses 9-11 we learn that Christians ought to gain knowledge of God, live sincerely and without offence, and display the fruits of righteousness (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Galatians 5:22-23).

· Any situation can be used for good. Paul is thankful for being in chains because he is given the opportunity to preach the Gospel to people he may not have reached any other way. He is successful in getting the Roman guards and citizens to listen to his preaching and the Christians in Rome are encouraged by this. They begin preaching boldly as well. Some of these preachers were attempting to use Paul’s situation to make a name for themselves and even for this, Paul is glad because no matter what the preacher’s intent, the Gospel is being spread. (Vs.12-18)

· “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Vs. 21) Paul’s entire purpose and desire was to preach Christ. He found great joy in his preaching despite his circumstances. He also says that in death, we gain the Kingdom.

· He calls for us to, “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” (Vs. 27b) We must be united to be effective. One of the things that drives people away from church is contention. It is our calling though to be united.

In Chapter Two, Paul teaches:

· That we are to be likeminded, because we have the same love and the same mind, the mind of Christ. We are to work together for the common good, valuing others greater than ourselves. (Vs. 2-5)

· Though Christ is God and King of all, He came as a servant and humbled Himself to serve and save us. And for His humility God has placed Christ above all and He is exalted. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Vs. 6-11) Our model for living is Christ. When we learn His humility, we find joy.

· We are to continue to live out our salvation, doing that which Christ would have us do, without grumbling but with joy. It is our joy that is the light of the church, sending out a beacon that attracts more people to Christ. (Vs. 12-18)

In Chapter 3, Paul teaches:

· That salvation is not something that we can gain through our efforts. It is the free gift of God. In Paul’s time, there were Christians known as Judaizers who insisted that Christians must live under the Old Testament laws. They didn’t get it that Christ did away with the law by serving as the last sacrifice. Paul emphasizes this point by listing his qualifications as a Jew. He was a Jew among Jews, a Pharisee, yet none of his acts could save him, only Christ could. Paul calls his doings dung next to what he gained in Christ. In this he expresses the joy of knowing Christ. He’s teaching that nothing has value when compared to the value of knowing Christ. (Vs. 2-11)

· Paul is single-minded in his faith. His entire goal is to know Christ and be like Him. He tells us that we are to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Vs 14)

· We are to walk in what we profess. Paul makes this point many times in his epistles. What we already know, we are to do and God will reveal to us areas that still need work and attention. He’s talking about maturing in our faith and as Christians. Many claim to be Christians and don’t behave as Christians are instructed to by Christ and His apostles. “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:” (Vs 18) Christians look to heaven and seek to change to fit the image of Christ. (Vs. 15-21)

In Chapter Four, Paul teaches:

· That we are to rejoice in all things. Remember Paul’s circumstances. He’s imprisoned, in chains and yet he is telling us to rejoice. Paul knew where true joy comes from. No matter what our circumstances, Christ is with us. This it where our joy comes from. (Vs. 4)

· We are to take all of our cares to the Lord in prayer. We are to give thanks for what we have been given, ask for what we need and not worry about anything. Christ is with us, no matter what happens, we have Him. From this, we gain peace that the world cannot understand. This peace can only come from a right relationship with Christ. (Vs. 6-7)

· “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Vs. 8) Paul puts much effort into reminding us what we should think on, how we should behave and what things to avoid. This is because he understood how we obtain joy and peace. In seeking and walking in the ways of Christ, we are set free from care and have the courage and strength to do whatever is asked of us. (Vs. 9-13)

· Paul was writing to the Philippians to thank them for a gift. He teaches that in giving they are blessed as he was blessed in the receiving. There is joy to be found in giving, for this is the spirit that Christ had for us, He gave His life so that we could be saved. (Vs. 15-19)

Paul teaches a great deal about Christian behavior. The greatest lesson is that of joy. When we can learn the true joy of being in Christ, all burdens lose their weight. We should find the joy in all parts of our Christian life, living for Christ, serving Christ, giving for Christ. It is our joy that attracts people to Christ.