Philippians 1:25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.
Paul saw a connection between progress and joy in the faith. This is true for many other things as well. If you’re making progress at a sport, you’ll enjoy it a little more. If you’re making progress at work, you’ll enjoy it a little more too. And if you’re making progress at the gym, you’ll enjoy it a little more too. A ninety year old cello player practiced his instrument several hours a day. When his niece asked Why? he said, I think I’m making a little progress.
The same is true in our relationship with Christ. Christianity is a happy religion as long as we’re making progress. Show me a Christian who’s making progress and I’ll show you a happy Christian. Show me a Christian who’s not making progress and I’ll show you someone to pray for.
Philippians 2:2 [M]ake my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Church unity was never far from the front of Paul’s mind. [B]e perfectly united in mind and thought (1 Corinthians (1:10). Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). And be united in love (Colossians 2:2), he wrote. Persecution from without was no less serious than disunity within. Many churches stop growing the moment there’s conflict, because no one wants to invite others into an unhealthy situation.
If children are raised in a healthy home they’ll invite their friends to share the joy. But if there’s conflict in the home they’ll stop inviting their friends because they don’t want to be embarrassed. That’s why Jesus prayed for the church to be united. Then the world will know that you sent me (John 17:23), he said. If Jesus prayed for unity, and Paul pled for unity, it may be more important than we think.
Philippians 2:5-8 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Theologians divide the humiliation of Christ into various stages. He left his throne in glory, to be born in a manger, and began sucking and drooling. Years later he was mocked, spat on, whipped and crucified. He said It is finished and gave up his spirit (John 19:30). Finally, he was laid in a cold, dark tomb and began to decompose. Incarnation, suffering, death and burial are various stages of Christ’s humiliation.
Philippians 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.
Theologians also divide the exaltation of Christ into various stages. First he rose from the dead, then he ascended into heaven, now he rules the world, and he will return in glory. First he was crowned with thorns, then he was crowned with honor. First he was humiliated, then he was exalted. First he suffered, then he was glorified.
This is also the pattern for those who follow Christ. [W]e share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17), wrote Paul. And, our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be [ours] (Romans 8:18), wrote Paul again. And, you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13), wrote Peter.
When we understand the pattern God has established for the Christian life, we aren’t surprised by suffering. Whenever it comes, we simply look ahead to future glory. The only thing that could make the best of all possible worlds better, is to get there through suffering. The way of tears is the way to eternal happiness.
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
The good news of our salvation, and God’s affectionate love for us, might’ve lead some to believe that God isn’t dangerous. But that idea is flatly wrong, so Paul commanded the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
[H]e is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread (Isaiah 8:13), wrote Isaiah. Many want to soften the fear of God to a mild reverence or respect. But the word dread should clear that up. As long as we are living for God we don’t need to be afraid of him. But if we’re turning away from God we should be filled with dread.
When I was sixteen years old I went skiing in Utah, and rode a lift to the top of a mountain. I’d never been there before and, when I reached the top, I was gripped by fear because the mountain had two sides. To my alarm, there was nothing to keep me from going down the wrong side. If I went down the right side of the mountain I’d be fine. But if I went down the wrong side of the mountain I could possibly die. Fear helped me choose the right side. There’s also a right and wrong side of God, so work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Reflection and Review
Have you ever seen a church fight?
How does Christ’s humiliation and exaltation apply to us?
Should Christians be afraid of God?
Paul saw a connection between progress and joy in the faith. This is true for many other things as well. If you’re making progress at a sport, you’ll enjoy it a little more. If you’re making progress at work, you’ll enjoy it a little more too. And if you’re making progress at the gym, you’ll enjoy it a little more too. A ninety year old cello player practiced his instrument several hours a day. When his niece asked Why? he said, I think I’m making a little progress.
The same is true in our relationship with Christ. Christianity is a happy religion as long as we’re making progress. Show me a Christian who’s making progress and I’ll show you a happy Christian. Show me a Christian who’s not making progress and I’ll show you someone to pray for.
Philippians 2:2 [M]ake my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Church unity was never far from the front of Paul’s mind. [B]e perfectly united in mind and thought (1 Corinthians (1:10). Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). And be united in love (Colossians 2:2), he wrote. Persecution from without was no less serious than disunity within. Many churches stop growing the moment there’s conflict, because no one wants to invite others into an unhealthy situation.
If children are raised in a healthy home they’ll invite their friends to share the joy. But if there’s conflict in the home they’ll stop inviting their friends because they don’t want to be embarrassed. That’s why Jesus prayed for the church to be united. Then the world will know that you sent me (John 17:23), he said. If Jesus prayed for unity, and Paul pled for unity, it may be more important than we think.
Philippians 2:5-8 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Theologians divide the humiliation of Christ into various stages. He left his throne in glory, to be born in a manger, and began sucking and drooling. Years later he was mocked, spat on, whipped and crucified. He said It is finished and gave up his spirit (John 19:30). Finally, he was laid in a cold, dark tomb and began to decompose. Incarnation, suffering, death and burial are various stages of Christ’s humiliation.
Philippians 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.
Theologians also divide the exaltation of Christ into various stages. First he rose from the dead, then he ascended into heaven, now he rules the world, and he will return in glory. First he was crowned with thorns, then he was crowned with honor. First he was humiliated, then he was exalted. First he suffered, then he was glorified.
This is also the pattern for those who follow Christ. [W]e share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17), wrote Paul. And, our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be [ours] (Romans 8:18), wrote Paul again. And, you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13), wrote Peter.
When we understand the pattern God has established for the Christian life, we aren’t surprised by suffering. Whenever it comes, we simply look ahead to future glory. The only thing that could make the best of all possible worlds better, is to get there through suffering. The way of tears is the way to eternal happiness.
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
The good news of our salvation, and God’s affectionate love for us, might’ve lead some to believe that God isn’t dangerous. But that idea is flatly wrong, so Paul commanded the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
[H]e is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread (Isaiah 8:13), wrote Isaiah. Many want to soften the fear of God to a mild reverence or respect. But the word dread should clear that up. As long as we are living for God we don’t need to be afraid of him. But if we’re turning away from God we should be filled with dread.
When I was sixteen years old I went skiing in Utah, and rode a lift to the top of a mountain. I’d never been there before and, when I reached the top, I was gripped by fear because the mountain had two sides. To my alarm, there was nothing to keep me from going down the wrong side. If I went down the right side of the mountain I’d be fine. But if I went down the wrong side of the mountain I could possibly die. Fear helped me choose the right side. There’s also a right and wrong side of God, so work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Reflection and Review
Have you ever seen a church fight?
How does Christ’s humiliation and exaltation apply to us?
Should Christians be afraid of God?