The Book of Philippians is a love letter showing us how joy and contentment can be ours as we trust Christ in all our circumstances.
Dr. S. L. Boehmer
Therefore, gratitude ought to be one of our most prevalent attri butes. As a result, Paul burst out into a doxology of praise. He ex presses thanks to the Lord for the fellowship of the Philippians. The world has its clubs, social gather ings and innumerable get-togeth ers. All of these fall far short of bringing contentment to the long ing soul. Only Christ can satisfy. First, there was the fellowship of prayer (vrs. 3-4). Next there was a very real fellowship of their pres ence (vrs. 5). While Paul coveted no man's gold, he rejoiced in their subject of the security of the be liever, or the preservation of the sacrificial and sincere love. On the saints, Paul has not the slightest question that salvation is all of God from beginning to ending It is eter nal and rests on the sure word of the Lord. Our standing is perfect the moment we are saved. It con tinues so until we are presented faultless before the presence of God's glory in that great day (vrs. 6). We see the same idea in Ro mans 8:30. These same blessed truths are explained by Christ in that favorite passage in John 10:27- Page 15
mighty man of God. As we note the way the first chapter begins, there is not the slightest sugges tion that he is the great apostle to the Gentiles. We would do well to learn that pride is an abomination unto the Lord. We note next his evaluation of the relationship he has with God by describing himself as a bond servant. He can think of no higher honor. How right he is. What an exalted position! The salutation is to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi. Many have strange ideas as to what actually constitutes a saint. The key is the little phrase, "in Christ Jesus." Very simply put, a saint is a sinner saved by grace. Paul never forgot that he was a sinner. In case there is any ques tion he refers to himself as "the chief of sinner." Verse 2 gives us grace and peace in an interesting combination. "Grace," the Grecian salutation, is "favor against what we deserve." It can only be known by the Chris tian. "Peace," the Hebrew greet ing, rests on the work of the cross. All that we are and have is from God's loving and beneficent hand.
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs