Concern of Others - 1st of Philippians Series
**The purpose of this is to focus on Philippians. Topics may arise where I use my previous knowledge to elaborate without other Scriptural evidence. PLEASE search and pray for yourself about all things.
Paul had a thankfulness for his fellow believers. This thankfulness was targeted towards "you all". He didn't exclude anyone who disagreed with his preaching. He didn't exclude the ones who kept slipping up. He declares that every single time he thinks of them, he thanks God for them. I don't find myself thanking God for the people that aren't always so perfect. When it comes to other believers, we need to take the initiative to thank God for every single one - especially those that we know personally!! Not only this, but we need to pray for those believers with joy. Not in a way that reveals their faults next to our goodness. Paul said he prayed for them with joy. Walking the walk of faith is a struggle and we should be constantly praying for those who are on the walk. We all share in the fellowship of the Gospel and we are all on the same side. We shouldn't see any strife or conflict between each other.
Furthermore, Paul made sure to encourage the believers with the truth and reminder that Jesus will continue to work in them. Do we hold true to this? That Jesus will continue His work. We need to do our part, but it's not only our job! We have a savor who is working on our behalf day and night!
Not only is this so, but we have other brothers and sisters to help us. Paul had the others in his heart. Also, in every situation, they all shared in the grace of Christ. We all share in the grace of Christ. Every. Single. Believer. We should work together to get to our destination. There is no need for rivalry between denominations, for all those who are in Christ share in His grace! Brothers and sisters in Christ shouldn't have conflict since we all share in His grace. There is no need for such actions, yet we find ourselves indulging in these worldly things. It will only lead to our own shame. If nothing else, we all have this one thing in common - that we are lost on our own, but in Christ we can corporately share in His grace.
Paul then continues to express how he misses the believers in his absence. He didn't say that he missed his closest friends, but that he missed all of them. When we are apart from other believers, we need to have a longing for them. A longing that comes with the affection of Christ. I believe this is necessary for a powerful believer and Church. If we aren't longing for the other believers, then we obviously don't have the relationships that we need. The evidence of a firm relationship with other believers is to long for them with the affection from Christ Jesus.
Finally, Paul closes this section by wanting the believers to have the ability to grow and learn on their own. That they would have a growing love. And not just love, but a love that rests in knowledge and insight in order to be a stronger and more mature believer. Not only should we be acting in that area of spiritual growth, but we should be praying for and joining with other believers in order to make it happen.
Can we as a world of believers choose to live like Paul lays out in this passage? It is imperative that we begin to care and have concern for the other brothers and sisters around us. Not doing so will mean a life unlike the love of Christ. Not doing so would not bring forth holy and good things in our life. On the other hand, living with a concern and passion for other believers will reflect the love of Christ in our life. This can have an amazing impact on every aspect of our life and the lives of others. Eternities can be changed based on this one factor in our lives.
Philippians 1:1-11
In verses 1-2, Paul explicitly reveals that this entire book is written to ALL of the believers who are in Christ at Philippi. Verses 3 and 4 shows Paul's thankfulness and joy for that body of believers, and verse 5 explains why. Verse 6 was written to encourage the believers, and verse 7 follows with an explanation of the constant common ground between all believers. Paul shows more of his love for this body in verse 8. Finally, 9-11 explains Paul's good wishes for the believers at Philippi.[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. [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 had a thankfulness for his fellow believers. This thankfulness was targeted towards "you all". He didn't exclude anyone who disagreed with his preaching. He didn't exclude the ones who kept slipping up. He declares that every single time he thinks of them, he thanks God for them. I don't find myself thanking God for the people that aren't always so perfect. When it comes to other believers, we need to take the initiative to thank God for every single one - especially those that we know personally!! Not only this, but we need to pray for those believers with joy. Not in a way that reveals their faults next to our goodness. Paul said he prayed for them with joy. Walking the walk of faith is a struggle and we should be constantly praying for those who are on the walk. We all share in the fellowship of the Gospel and we are all on the same side. We shouldn't see any strife or conflict between each other.
Furthermore, Paul made sure to encourage the believers with the truth and reminder that Jesus will continue to work in them. Do we hold true to this? That Jesus will continue His work. We need to do our part, but it's not only our job! We have a savor who is working on our behalf day and night!
Not only is this so, but we have other brothers and sisters to help us. Paul had the others in his heart. Also, in every situation, they all shared in the grace of Christ. We all share in the grace of Christ. Every. Single. Believer. We should work together to get to our destination. There is no need for rivalry between denominations, for all those who are in Christ share in His grace! Brothers and sisters in Christ shouldn't have conflict since we all share in His grace. There is no need for such actions, yet we find ourselves indulging in these worldly things. It will only lead to our own shame. If nothing else, we all have this one thing in common - that we are lost on our own, but in Christ we can corporately share in His grace.
Paul then continues to express how he misses the believers in his absence. He didn't say that he missed his closest friends, but that he missed all of them. When we are apart from other believers, we need to have a longing for them. A longing that comes with the affection of Christ. I believe this is necessary for a powerful believer and Church. If we aren't longing for the other believers, then we obviously don't have the relationships that we need. The evidence of a firm relationship with other believers is to long for them with the affection from Christ Jesus.
Finally, Paul closes this section by wanting the believers to have the ability to grow and learn on their own. That they would have a growing love. And not just love, but a love that rests in knowledge and insight in order to be a stronger and more mature believer. Not only should we be acting in that area of spiritual growth, but we should be praying for and joining with other believers in order to make it happen.
Can we as a world of believers choose to live like Paul lays out in this passage? It is imperative that we begin to care and have concern for the other brothers and sisters around us. Not doing so will mean a life unlike the love of Christ. Not doing so would not bring forth holy and good things in our life. On the other hand, living with a concern and passion for other believers will reflect the love of Christ in our life. This can have an amazing impact on every aspect of our life and the lives of others. Eternities can be changed based on this one factor in our lives.
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