In The Word
Read: Philippians 1:27-2:18
27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Be like Christ
2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merelylook out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant andbeing born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining or arguments; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Paul encouraged the believers to continue to walk in a way that glorified Christ. Paul said this not that they would please him, but so that they would please the Lord. He encouraged them to remain faithful in unity no matter what came their way. If Paul could remain faithful in prison under the threat of death, they could also make it through what they were going to go through for Christ. They had the same power within them that Paul did: Christ.
They actually brought Paul joy by maintaining their unity. Paul reminded them not just of his own example but of the ultimate example of Christ. Yeshua left the glory of Heaven, humbled Himself to take on flesh, and lived the life of a bond-servant to show us the way to the Father. He willingly laid down His life, being obedient to the point of a horrible agonizing death on the cross. He has been highly exalted and given a name above all names. He is the One we are to please. It is for His pleasure that we live as lights in this world, holding fast to His teachings. Even though we live in a crooked and perverse generation, we are to live in a way that does not disappoint Christ. We are meant to live in a way that reflects His glory in all that we do as we live for Him, even if that means the ultimate sacrifice of giving our physical lives for Him. Who are you trying to please? If the answer is not Christ, then decide to change that today.