Joy in Our Christian Journey {Reading the Book of Philippians week~3}

Joy on the journey: An Attitude LIKE CHRIST

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Paul begins this letter to the church at Philippi with an attitude of Joy. While confined in the walls of prison Paul still found great joy in writing this letter to his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. He was not looking at his present circumstance for he knew that it would turn out for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He knows and understands that his imprisonment is for the cause of Christ. He learned there is joy in our Christian walk.

Keep Going With an Attitude of Joy

Paul’s heart beat  for the cause of Christ and he welcomed whatever that meant.  Whether it be  living in prosperity, being filled or  being hungry, having abundance and suffering.  He knew he had the strength of Jesus Christ

At the end of chapter 1 Paul reminds the believers in Jesus Christ that they have been called to a life of suffering;

 Whether it be  living in prosperity, being filled or  being hungry, having abundance and suffering.  He knew he had the strength of Jesus Christ to do all things that God called him to do.  What a Christ-like attitude!

At the end of chapter 1 Paul reminds the believers in Jesus Christ that they have been called to a life of suffering;

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear to be in me.

Suffering Tests Our Faith

Notice that suffering is granted. Let’s  look at the definition of this word to get a better grasp of what Paul is teaching in this passage.

Granted (5483) (charizomai [word study] from charis [word study] = grace, unmerited favor) signifies a gift of grace and is the same verb Paul used in Php 2:9 (note) to describe the “bestowal” of the Name above every name upon Jesus. Suffering for the sake of Christ is the gift of grace or as both Barclay and Phillips put it “the privilege”

James teaches in {James 1:2} to consider it ALL joy when you encounter various trials. Peter teaches the same thing in his letter, {1 Peter 1:6} to greatly rejoice, even though for a little while you may be distressed by various trials.  The outcome first is for the glory and honor of Christ and for His name sake.  The second, the testing of our faith.

Let Suffering Have its Good Work

This attitude is completely opposite of what we hear taught today. Run from affliction. Do everything you can to make yourself comfortable. Sound familiar?  I see this in myself at times, to run from affliction and suffering. But according to the word of God we have been graced with suffering and affliction. We are called to stand firm in it and not run away. James writes through the prompting of the Holy Spirit to let endurance have its perfect work. So that you/we may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  Boy, I have a lot to learn in this area of my Christian walk. How about you?

Jesus: Our Example

After reminding us that we are graced with suffering Paul leads us to Christ. We are instructed to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus. We are to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility regard others as more important than ourselves.

Christ is our greatest example of finding joy in our walk.

This is exactly what Christ did when He left His heavenly place, emptied Himself, took on the form of a bond-servant, and took on the likeness of man. This does not in any way teach that Christ was no longer God or was no longer deity.

Jesus is and always will be equal to God and He claimed this during His earthly ministry. See {John 5:18: John 10:33: John 14:9: John 20:28 and Hebrews 1:1-3} What this does teach is that Christ for a time left His position in heaven came to earth according to the good pleasure of His Father:

• He was born of a virgin
•  He lived under the Law without sinning
• He was hung on a cross
• He suffered and died
• He was buried and on the third day rose from the dead
•  He ascended into heaven
•  He seated with the Majesty on high
• He Lives to intercede for the saints until which time He will come to takes us home with Him.

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus Every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Finally! Rejoice in the Lord

Keeping the work of Christ forefront in our hearts and minds  we are instructed to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We are to do all things without grumbling or disputing, to live above reproach that we might shine as lights amidst a crooked and perverse generation.

Finally, rejoice in the Lord. Be aware of the evil workers, test the spirits to see if they are from God, {1 John 4:1} Forget what lies behind and press on toward the upward goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Never forget that you are not alone. Your brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering the same affliction as you are. Pray for each other and encourage each other as we eager await the return of our great God and Savior!

This message from Paul is so timely. We live in a time that false teaching is rampant. Everything that is wrong is called right. But, praise  God He has not left us without His word and the Holy Spirit. It is so vitally important for the believer to be in the word of God renewing their minds and learning what the will of God is.

MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES

Why is it That Important to Memorize Scripture

Why I recommend the New Inductive Study Bible

I want to Know You… Studying the Attributes of God

Six Important Questions to Ask When You Study the Bible

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