After encouraging the church
members in the Philippi to not be terrified by their adversaries,
Paul told them they were not only given the gift to believe in Jesus
Christ but they would also “suffer for his sake”. In
chapter one and verse thirty of Philippians Paul tells them how his
life is an example of the “conflict” they will endure
where we read:
The verse begins, “Having
the same conflict which you saw in me,...” As
an example of the way the church members would suffer, Paul used
himself as a reference. He told them the “same conflict”
which means “a place of assembly: especially an assembly met to see
games; the place of contest, the arena or stadium; the
assembly of the Greeks at their national games; generally, any
struggle or contest; a battle” they saw in him would be like the
ones they would encounter themselves. Paul's life and the “conflict”
within it was not only that of a believer, but also as one who
suffered for the gospel's sake.
The verse goes on to say, “...and now hear to be
in me.” Not only did the Philippians see the battle which Paul
endured in the past, but Paul's present situation was heard by them
as well. Paul wrote, “you hear to be” which means it was
current at the time, and as an insinuation for the perpetuity of the
“conflict” Paul noted that his battle continued to the day
of this writing.
Because
Paul the apostle cared for the church in Philippi as a father for his
children, He told them of things which may have been difficult to
hear – they would “suffer” for Jesus' sake. His own life
was an example of this truth, and although they might not have wanted
to read these words, they were nonetheless true. Paul suffered for
his belief in Jesus Christ and for sharing the gospel with others.
The Philippian church saw it and heard about it, and as we consider
Paul's words today perhaps it would help us to evaluate what others
have seen and hear about us. Have they seen us “suffer for his
sake”? Have they heard that we presently are under “conflict”
as in a battle place or contest? May the Lord help us to live our
lives in such a manner that others will know the we serve the true
and living God because of our belief in the gospel of our Savior and
Lord Jesus Christ.
Next
time we begin a new chapter and see Paul set forth a criteria of
“ifs”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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