And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Phil 1:1-11
Paul, even though he had been given the commission and the authority to speak wherever he was and whenever needed by God, is found sending a note of thanks and appreciation to the church in Philippi for their support. In this chapter, he shows his love, his concern and his affection for the Philippians. Although he does give them some instruction, it has the feel of sweet expressions of joy, heartfelt sentiment and loving encouragement. We’ve all heard and know that it is not always what you say; it’s how you say it. This is the wisdom that Paul displays; it affects and determines how our words are received by others.
We know the churches during Paul’s ministry were not perfect and certainly that still applies to our churches today. Yes, the Philippians needed to be corrected, rebuked, and reprimanded because some were hindering the work of the ministry and causing the church to be at odds; however, Paul does this uniquely and effectively with love and with wisdom in this book. In that wisdom, he overlooked all the pettiness in the church and focused in on his approach and his appeal in order to reach and tug at the strings of their hearts. Paul’s prayer was that the church would let their love be productive and in abundance, and with that, they would increase in knowledge and accomplish what only love can accomplish. Love will make you do the right thing and say the right words in every situation (well it should). He asked that they would support those things that were excellent and be sincere in their doings without resentment or wrongdoing; to be confident of the good work that had already begun in them and to continue and be filled with the fruits of all things righteous; that which give glory and praise to God.
Are the people of the church today perfect? No, just like the Philippians, we certainly have our share of problems. We need to follow not only Paul’s example, but be an example of who Christ was and who He desires us to be ... pure and without fault, living a blameless life so that we can be perfect in all our understanding; centering our thoughts and actions on the more excellent things. Supporting, loving one another without hurting one another with our words and actions until He comes back (2 Thess 3:12-13). He wants us to go in love and with a sincere heart so that He alone gets the glory. He wants us to focus “above” the insignificant and unimportant things and center our attention on the matters of God. We have to learn how to sense (be in tune with the Spirit of God) what is of real importance as it relates to our walk in Christ (now that alone is another topic); just as Paul did, especially within the confines of the church.
It is imperative that we line up our lives with the Word of God; that we are obedient, respectful and loving in our fellowship with Him and with one another. What would Christ do; how He would handle the situation; what would He want from me in certain circumstances? I do know that He would want us to do it prayerfully and not only with sensitivity, but with some Jesus insight, discernment and definitely being led of the Spirit of God because everything is NOT expedient. This is where the wisdom comes in and if we go in that vein, we won’t go in self, because precious souls (souls that belong to God, not us) are at stake. Paul shows us this in the book of Philippians. We must strive continually not only to be like Christ but to have His attributes and show that our lives bear the fruits of righteousness. Question for today: What kind of fruit do you bear?
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
Paul, even though he had been given the commission and the authority to speak wherever he was and whenever needed by God, is found sending a note of thanks and appreciation to the church in Philippi for their support. In this chapter, he shows his love, his concern and his affection for the Philippians. Although he does give them some instruction, it has the feel of sweet expressions of joy, heartfelt sentiment and loving encouragement. We’ve all heard and know that it is not always what you say; it’s how you say it. This is the wisdom that Paul displays; it affects and determines how our words are received by others.
We know the churches during Paul’s ministry were not perfect and certainly that still applies to our churches today. Yes, the Philippians needed to be corrected, rebuked, and reprimanded because some were hindering the work of the ministry and causing the church to be at odds; however, Paul does this uniquely and effectively with love and with wisdom in this book. In that wisdom, he overlooked all the pettiness in the church and focused in on his approach and his appeal in order to reach and tug at the strings of their hearts. Paul’s prayer was that the church would let their love be productive and in abundance, and with that, they would increase in knowledge and accomplish what only love can accomplish. Love will make you do the right thing and say the right words in every situation (well it should). He asked that they would support those things that were excellent and be sincere in their doings without resentment or wrongdoing; to be confident of the good work that had already begun in them and to continue and be filled with the fruits of all things righteous; that which give glory and praise to God.
Are the people of the church today perfect? No, just like the Philippians, we certainly have our share of problems. We need to follow not only Paul’s example, but be an example of who Christ was and who He desires us to be ... pure and without fault, living a blameless life so that we can be perfect in all our understanding; centering our thoughts and actions on the more excellent things. Supporting, loving one another without hurting one another with our words and actions until He comes back (2 Thess 3:12-13). He wants us to go in love and with a sincere heart so that He alone gets the glory. He wants us to focus “above” the insignificant and unimportant things and center our attention on the matters of God. We have to learn how to sense (be in tune with the Spirit of God) what is of real importance as it relates to our walk in Christ (now that alone is another topic); just as Paul did, especially within the confines of the church.
It is imperative that we line up our lives with the Word of God; that we are obedient, respectful and loving in our fellowship with Him and with one another. What would Christ do; how He would handle the situation; what would He want from me in certain circumstances? I do know that He would want us to do it prayerfully and not only with sensitivity, but with some Jesus insight, discernment and definitely being led of the Spirit of God because everything is NOT expedient. This is where the wisdom comes in and if we go in that vein, we won’t go in self, because precious souls (souls that belong to God, not us) are at stake. Paul shows us this in the book of Philippians. We must strive continually not only to be like Christ but to have His attributes and show that our lives bear the fruits of righteousness. Question for today: What kind of fruit do you bear?
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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