From John F with thanks

Today we continue in Philippians 2, with the theme “Living to Serve”. Last week we considered vv1-11, “Living to Serve in the Church”. Please read

Philippians 2:12-18: Living to Serve in the World

Paul continues in vv12-13 to urge the Christians in Philippi to live humble, obedient and reverent lives in their church community. They are to reform their church life (as in vv1-4) so that the community can be spiritually healthy. This means effort: they are to work at it, for God is working in them. There is to be no grumbling or arguing (“murmurings and disputings”) (v14).
How does our church life measure up? When we disagree with a fellow-Christian, do we grumble or murmur? Personal relationships among believers should be marked by love and humility, as well as honesty and openness.

But WHY are right relationships in the church so important? vv15-16 “So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world”. As Ralph Martin comments, “The Philippians are called to set their own house in order, so that God’s purpose for them as a witnessing community may be fulfilled.” Jesus said “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Like the Philippians, we are “in the world but not of the world” (see John 17:11, 14-18). The Lord Jesus said “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). He also told his disciples “You are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14). Like the Philippians, we are to be lights in a dark world.

But HOW can we do that? The answer is in v16 “…holding fast the word of life…”. The Lord Jesus Christ is himself “the Word of life” (John 1:1; 1 John 1:1). Like the Philippians, we are to hold fast to the gospel message centred on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our 21st century world is fundamentally just as crooked and perverse as the 1st century world of Philippi. But God loves the world he has created and redeemed. So we are to shine the light of Christ into dark places. We are to live to serve in the world.

In Graham Kendrick’s words: Come see his hands and his feet,
                                                The scars that speak of sacrifice;
                                                Hands that flung stars into space,
                                                To cruel nails surrendered.
                                                This is our God, the Servant King.
                                                He calls us now to follow him,
                                                To bring our lives as a daily offering
                                                Of worship to the Servant King.


Category: The Bridge , Thought for the week