Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
If you were a glutton, all those around you would know about the fact. In this passage, Paul is telling us that if you have learned to be temperate and to properly demonstrate self-control, then you need to be quick to […]
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
In this passage, we see that Paul is willing to give up everything […]
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on thee things.
The second precious promise that is given to you is virtue. Peter tells you that you are to diligently add to your faith virtue. Virtue will not magically appear in your life but you must learn to diligently seek it and allow it to change your life so that you might be a partaker of the divine nature. While you may live in the world, you do not need to be of this world. Instead, the inward character of Christ must reside within you so that when people see you, they understand that there is something different about you. The light of God must shine within you and you must allow yourself to be visible to all so that God�s glory will be evident to all who see you.
Philippians 3:9-10 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
The word righteousness means the state in which we are approved by God. Righteousness is our integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling and acting. Paul tells us in this passage that we are not righteous because we have followed the law but that we are righteous and thus acceptable to God because of our faith. By following the law, our outward actions are the things that are judged. However, it is our faith in Christ that dictates to us that we are accountable to God for our thoughts and feelings.
Philippians 2:17-18 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Paul had served God for many years. He had led many heathen to Christ Jesus. He served God doing HIS will without murmuring and disputing. Paul had faced many trials as a result of his faith. However, these trials were his joy and were the joy of other Christians. Paul however knew of one more sacrifice that he was to give. This was the pouring out of his blood for the cause of Christ.
Paul understood that he was going to die for Christ�s sake. His death was not to be a time of sorrow for the church but was to be a time of rejoicing. His death was to be a time of rejoicing because Paul was home with the Lord and the Lord counted him worthy to suffer death just as Jesus suffered an unjust death.
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
You are not alone on an island. God has put you as a part of the body of Christ. There are many Christians who work together for the furtherance of God�s glory. God does not expect you to be able to maintain your faith on your own. He has given you brothers and sisters in Christ to enable you to grow closer in the faith.
The prophet Elijah thought he was the only person who was faithful to God. He had just seen God work mightily at Mount Carmel. Elijah saw God bring fire out of heaven. Shortly thereafter, Elijah saw God turn a small rain cloud into a torrential downpour. However, because Elijah felt he was alone serving God, Satan was able to sow seeds of discouragement into his heart. Elijah was not able to enjoy seeing God work through him but instead he was focusing his attention upon being alone.
Philippians 1:24-25 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
Paul may have been in prison in Rome but he knew that his usefulness for God was not over. Paul understood that God still had more work for him to do and as such, Paul could tell the church at Philippi that his chains of bondage was not leading to his immediate death. The reason Paul understood that God had more use for him here on this earth is for the furtherance of the Philippi�s church�s delight in the faith.
