Christian Contentment - A Study through Philippians (2)

 

Today's Devotional is written by Martin Davids

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 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. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.(Philippians 1:3-8)

 

The problem of Commitment

I’m sure you’ve met them; people who are commitment shy.  It can happen in all areas of life and it can be very frustrating.  Whether it’s something big like a career or buying a house or something trivial like choosing what to eat.  They are always wondering ‘Is there something better’ or more often than not ‘If I commit I close my options to other choices’

Now we can overlook these foibles but unfortunately there are many who take this approach to the Gospel and Christian living.  Yes, they want the trappings and benefits of Christianity (a air of respectability and divine ‘fire insurance’) but really have no desire to be discipled and to truly ‘pick up their cross and follow Christ’    

Now I’m sure no one puts it quite like that.  Many want to pick and choose what they would like in their relationship with God, and feel free to decline what they don’t want. The gospel is not that important to them, and it is something that they bring to church on Sunday, and then it goes back in the box until next Sunday. We buy into the culture’s craving for comfort and security rather than sacrifice and service.  It has been said that many desire to eat at the Masters table but few are willing to work in His vineyard. 

Thanksgiving

Paul wrote to the Philippian believers “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” Some Bible commentators have noted that this could also be translated “I thank God every time you remember me.”  It is a wonderful thing to have brothers and sisters in Christ remember you, isn’t it? I have heard that just as we are praying for our brothers and sisters in other lands they are praying for us.  What?  Why would they be praying for us when they have it so bad? 

Their prayer for us is not for ease - rather the opposite.  They would say it is because of our ease and comfort that we have weakened and watered down the message of the Gospel.  We have become too comfortable.  They are praying that we stand firm in the face of the cultural revolution that is happening in the West that threatens to overwhelm us like a tsunami.  That in that day there will be a remnant that will stand strong.

 Fellowship

Second, Paul’s thanksgiving to God is for the Philippians’ partnership in the gospel.  The word “partnership” is often translated as “fellowship” in the New Testament. But what exactly does the word mean?  “The heart of true fellowship is self-sacrificing conformity to a shared vision.” Unless one is committed to that vision then there can be no fellowship.  So, Paul thanks God for the Philippians “partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” By that he means that from the day of their conversion until the present time they were each involved in some active way to advance the gospel. They prayed for Paul, they sent him money so that he could preach the gospel, and they continued to evangelize their family and friends in Philippi.  They were truly committed.  To him, to Christ, to the Gospel.

 Outside of Christian lingo I would say that the only time most people would have heard the term 'fellowship' is in relation to The Lord of the Rings.  In the first book of the trilogy a 'Fellowship' is formed from creatures from many races some of whom held deep animosity towards each other, bound together for a common goal. Without giving away 'spoilers' by the end of the trilogy, because of their experiences they were as close as any people could be. 

 I say this because we are experiencing a great social upheaval at the moment where certain 'forces' are seeking not to unify but to divide along all kinds of 'lines' and this unfortunately has crept into the church.  Brothers and sisters this should not be.  We are to be united in and for the Gospel.

 Paul is saying that our “partnership in the gospel” is far superior to any other earthly fellowship (or community, for that matter). You see, we are joined together by the blood of Christ and we are joining God by participating in the greatest campaign ever waged—that of gathering and perfecting the saints.

 I know that we are missing each other during lockdown as it approaches a year since we were forced to abandon Sunday morning services.  Many of us think fondly of gathering together after the service is ‘the other hall’  but let us be done with our insipid views of “fellowship.” Biblical “fellowship” is far more than a cup of tea after a worship service. It is far more than a meal, as good as it is to break bread together. Biblical fellowship is far more than warm friendship with other believers. No, biblical “fellowship” is “partnership in the gospel.” It is joining with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to pray, serve, and give the gospel to those who don’t know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. And when they do become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, biblical “fellowship” is helping brothers and sisters “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

 Salvation

 And third, Paul’s thanksgiving to God is for God’s continuing work in the Philippians’ lives. Why will they not fall away? Because God is preserving them. Therefore, Paul is convinced that they will persevere. Paul was thankful to God for his work of grace in their lives that he will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  The Philippians were partakers of the same grace as Paul, and he holds them in his heart.

Summing it up

How therefore, can we find contentment from these verses?  First, we must be committed to the Christ and His Gospel.  Secondly, If we are going to grow as Christians, particularly during these times of Covid and lockdown we must be even more committed to fellowship.  Not in the superficial sense of chats about the weather, sports or politics.  No, what must bind us together as brothers and sisters in Christ is our passion for the gospel, our fellowship with one another in the gospel.  Thirdly let us find that contentment that exceeds any earthly kind – a contentment that we are saved and will persevere in our faith no matter what life throws at us because it is God who will see it through to completion. 

Prayer for today

Father,

As we face these days of uncertainty and separation from each other may we remain as committed to you as fallen sinners can be.  We seek each day to grow in our love and commitment to you; to be conformed to the image of your Son.  Let us not neglect our fellowship one with another however that may be done.  Allow us to focus upon the important things of the Gospel and keep us ever committed to unity among our brothers and sisters for we have one Lord and one God.  We proclaim one Gospel and partake in one table.

We intercede through the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.    

Photo by Thomas Schweighofer on Unsplash