June 1-June 30 I will go through Philippians, verse by verse. Read along with me, see what the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and what new things God reveals to you.
Verse 1: Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus:
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.
Verse 2: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 3: I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,
Paul starts off this letter with thanks and gratitude to the Philippians for sending Epaphroditus to show love and encouragement to him. Paul is in prison, probably one of the lowest points in his life, and he always seems full of joy and gratitude in all his letters to the churches. I think he saw his placement and circumstance as a moment to let God's glory shine, he knew God would use it for good and he didn't let it bring him down. He referred to himself and Timothy as bondservants to Christ. Slaves, sold out for God. They had offered their lives in order to bring the gospel to the people that needed to hear it most. All of us are called to show Christ's love to others, to make Him known in the place where we at right now in our lives. What is that place for you? Who is God calling you to reach out to? How can you show others the love that Christ has shown you?
Good word Rachael. On Saturday, when I read chapter one, the phrase “slave of Christ” jumped at me too. Usually the word “slave” is associated with a negative image of someone being focused into doing something usually outside of their will.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I looked up the exact meaning of the word slave - this is the exact meaning from dictionary.com.
1. a person who is the property of and wholly subject to another
2. a person entirely under the domination of some influence or person.
This really put it into prospective, especially the second meaning. Even if Paul wanted to follow his own will, which He could of if he wanted to, because he had offered his life to Christ, He could live a life outside of the function of the Holy Spirit and therefore He rightfully is a slave.
I also felt that in the second and third verses, was a VERY important lesson that Christ was teaching us through Paul. Was a lesson about attitude. Like you said Paul was in jail, behind bars a low point in his life. However his attitude was one of a humble person, and a grateful heart.