Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. The Apostle Paul based his life on the greatest two commandments, love God with all your heart, mind, body, and soul, and love others the same (Matthew 22:36-40). Paul's joy overflowed when someone was saved and came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Paul wrote five letters to churches while the Romans held him, but these incarcerations could not diminish his joy. The message to the Christians at Philippi was one of his Prison Epistles, and he always thanked God for their continued support in spreading the Gospel. Paul did not allow himself to be taken in by some form of self-pity, and we now have this great letter to the Philippians of joyfulness.
There were some unkind and
hostile recollections during his short stay in Philippi. For example, the young
servant girl is set free from the chains and bonds of Satan and the ensuing
beating and being thrown into prison by the city officials. While writing this
letter, there were two women in some form of disagreement, but Paul chose not
to look back on them but filled with joy (Philippians 4:2). It was a great joy
for the Christians at Philippi to get this happy and encouraging letter from Paul.
Their happiness would have been overflowing, knowing that even while Paul was
under house arrest in Rome, he was thinking about them and praying for them and
was deeply concerned about their spiritual growth in the Lord.
God had chosen Paul to spread the
Gospel to the ends of the earth, and he did carry the good news of the saving
Grace of Christ Jesus to two continents, Asia, and Europe. But, nevertheless,
Paul had a grave concern in his heart and soul for all people to accept Christ
Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This world would be different if today we, as
Christians, were to have this same deep-seated heart's love and desire for the
body of Christ and the world's lost souls. We should fill our thoughts of other
brothers and sisters in Christ with Grace and the love that can only come
through a heart surrender to God. Furthermore, as born again, washed in the
blood of followers and believers in Christ Jesus, we should all sincerely
desire to spread the Gospel as far out in this world as possible.
Despite the trials and
tribulations we go through, we should all develop the same mindset as the
Apostle Paul and utilize every opportunity to tell others of the saving Grace
of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. As children of God, we should always be
ready to encourage others with praises, prayers, and spiritual exchange.
Furthermore, we should always be prepared to respond to all that inquire about
our hope in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 3:15).
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