(Please read Philippians 1:1-27)
Paul visited Philippi on his second missionary journey ~ 49-52 A.D. He wrote this friendship epistle ~ 60-62 A.D. to this church that he planted. It is a love letter filled with joy and exhortations for the church to be like Christ and to be united. He wanted the Philippians to have a ‘mindset’ consistent with the gospel and to live a ‘cruciform’ (Christ-like) lifestyle. He was writing from a Roman prison, yet he was filled with joy (the other prison epistles are Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon).
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.“
The word group joy/rejoice is found 16 times in this short letter, and the keyword ‘gospel’ and phrase ‘in Christ’ are found more proportionately in this letter than any other Pauline letter. Joy seems to be associated with suffering in this letter. Joy is a quality of inner elation that comes from the Lord and is not dependent on circumstances. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). It flows from faith and is a byproduct of our intimacy with God and others.
The message here is twofold. Paul wants the Philippians to live a more Christ-like life. It is a great reminder to ensure we are aligned with God and His plan.
The second part of this message is about joy. How can one be truly happy? Joy resides in our soul. True joy comes from our relationship with God.
Key Applications:
How can we apply these messages to our lives? How can we cultivate joy by living a more Christ-like life? Of course, this will look different for everyone.
- Pray and check in with God regularly. This will cultivate a humble attitude toward life and remind you that you are his creation!
- Treat others with kindness and love. Another Philippians message is to look out for the interest of others, not just your own. Serve. Serve. Serve.
- Nourish your faith-based community. We’ve all heard the saying you are who you hang out with. If you are surrounded by those who are also living in the Path of Christ, then you will become inspired by their teachings, and vice versa. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and experiences!
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ?