The theme of Philippians is “death to self and life in Christ” It can be frustrating because it requires a significant level of commitment. We tend to resist commitment, even when it is something as simple as an RSVP for a party or choosing a show while browsing on Netflix.
But the church in Philippi is committed to something greater than themselves. Here, like in all but two of his letters Paul begins with a section of thanksgiving and praise for the church he is writing to. He specifically cites their continued partnership with him in the cause of the gospel. From Paul’s first visit, when Lydia and the Philippian jailer opened their homes to Paul, to their recent generosity, they have done this consistently.
But not just on material resources – he is thankful for their continued development in Christ. The work of transformation that Christ began in them continues and will be completed.
The Philippians share with Paul in joy and God’s favor, extended to them and us through God’s grace. To be partners in the gospel is both an example of that grace and a mechanism for it. The Philippians are partakers in the grace of God by spreading the message of the grace of God.
Paul loves them for it, and then goes on to pray that they also will grow in their love in general – for Christ, for each other, for the world around them. This love is the foundation for much of what Paul will go on to call the Philippians to do in the rest of the letter.
But while the target of the love is general, the type of growth itself is rather specific: knowledge and depth of insight. As our love abounds in greater insight, we become better at loving the things that are worth loving, because when we love something we tend to devote ourselves to it.
Paul calls us (and the Philippians) to this because he wants us to be pure and blameless. Pure, meaning righteous within ourselves, and blameless meaning righteous on the eyes of those around us.
Paul here is setting the Philippians up to understand that they are a work in progress. This will be important for them to understand as the letter progresses.
It is also important for us to understand. In inventory management, there are three stages: raw materials, work in progress, and finished product. As believers, we were once raw materials, but now Christ is at work in us and we are looking ahead to being a finished product. We must be willing and even eager to be molded and changed.
It can be tough to accept that we are unfinished and incomplete, and frustrating to not yet have full mastery of our passions and sin. Paul shows us through his thanksgiving and prayer that Christ is working on us and we must work with Him, discerning our purpose and participating in our growth.
Are we willing to do this, or will we sit back and how hope that this growth will happen without us?
– Sermon Notes, Jeff Krabach, Seed Church, Lynnwood, WA, July 22, 2018
Philippians 1:1-11
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