Today we move on to the book of Philippians another letter from the Apostle Paul.
Philippians 1:1-11 NIV
Greeting
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thankfulness and Prayer
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.Paul begins with an introduction and a greeting. As always Paul speaks a word of encouragement to begin his letter. He begins by being thankful and letting them know that he is praying for them. Then Paul speaks a word of confidence in God "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ", in other words God isn't finished with you yet but He will complete His work. This should encourage us because this promise wasn't just for those who received this letter but for all who believe on Jesus Christ. This is another scripture that can be prayed! Insert your name and proclaim the good work that God has begun in me He will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
In verse 7 Paul declares that these individuals both Jew and Gentile alike are equal partakers with him in the grace of God. Paul has completely left the old formalities of the way he was taught. Paul had been trained by the best of the best. His pedigree was true and he could have had a long and prosperous career as a Rabbi but when Jesus spoke to him he left all the religious ways behind and followed after God. Paul had to be taught again according to the truth and he had to learn to accept and give the grace of God. This was a definite departure from his Pharisee training. The Apostle Paul was so impassioned about telling others of Jesus that he, the most unlikely to do so, became the Apostle to the Gentile people. A people before he would have had no communication with. God's love and grace transform us in miraculous ways when we submit to Him!
Then in verse 9 Paul prays for their discernment. Discernment is a Gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12), this gift helps us to discern spiritual things. Discernment between excellent (things of God) and counterfeits (things of the devil). Discernment is needed today just as it was in those days. Jesus warned of false teachers that would come and deviate from the truth. The devil lies and deceives but he closely mimics the things of God. Therefore, we need discernment and understanding in order to follow God. How do we get discernment? Ask! The answer with God is always simple ask and obey. Paul ends this section in verse 11 stating a prayer that the letter's readers would be pleasing to God as they live lives that glorify and praise Him.
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
No comments:
Post a Comment