Daily Bread for Dec 12, Php 1-4
Today’s readings are Php 1-4.
Philippians was written during Paul's house
arrest in Rome.
Philippi was in Macedonia, about 125 miles East of
Thessalonica.
Strategically located, populated and heavily fortified by
retired and semi-retired Roman soldiers, Philippi was the first city in
Europe where Paul established a church. Paul also spent some time in prison
there. The church at Philippi supported Paul in his journeys and was a source
of constant encouragement to him.
Paul wants to let the Philippians know that he is well and
fine, even though he is imprisoned. The gospel is advancing, though he is
confined (Php 1:12-16). This is, as always, Paul's goal and primary concern,
the spread of the gospel.
He wants to encourage the Philippians to continue growing
in their faith. Even though there is some tension in the congregation (Php
4:2), they seem to be doing well compared to the struggling churches in Galatia
and Corinth. Rather than rest on their success and past achievements, Paul
wants them to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus!" Paul wants to make sure the Philippians do not
get too comfortable in their spiritual maturity and become complacent (Php
3:12-14).
Already there are signs that some over-spiritualizing may
be creeping in. Paul cautions that their growing maturity will not come through
mysticism but through the patient practice of love and service to others and
each other. They are to imitate Christ in all they do. This will reap eternal blessings
and benefits. They can be confident that God will finish what He has started
among them (Php 3:1-11).
There are profound lessons for us in Philippians. Spiritual
pride and arrogance are to be avoided. We should never allow ourselves to think
we "have arrived." We should constantly strive to go deeper and gain
a better understanding of the Scriptures while pursuing a deeper relationship
with the Lord. We should be cautious about thinking our maturity gives us
"spiritual superpowers" that others may not have. Humility and
service, not aloofness and false piety, should be the hallmarks of our
spiritual growth.
An encouragement in Paul's letter is that the church seems
to be getting most of this right. Paul does not necessarily write to chastise
them but to encourage them and caution them along the way. Likewise, there
are things that we, as believers, can be doing well in. Self-examination is an
excellent and productive way to monitor our walk with the Lord. Too much
self-examination or being hesitant to give honor to God for the progress He
makes in our sanctification while we spend too much time and emotional capital
on our faults and stumbles can bog us down and stunt our spiritual growth. God
has granted us the gift of repentance to deal with our occasional failures (Act
5:31; Act 11:18; 2 Tim 2:25). We should use it. There is a delicate balance
between spiritual arrogance and self-condemnation. We should pray that the
Spirit leads us away from both.
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