Today in God's Word—March 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
March 31, Philippians 1
Do you know a sports fan who drinks his morning coffee from a mug emblazoned with his team’s colors? He always wears at least one item that bears the team logo. The license plate on his car declares his allegiance to his team. He checks the team’s website and scans the paper for news every day. His home decor may lack taste, but not team loyalty, from the special collector’s edition soft drink bottles on the mantle to the sheets and pillowcases on his bed. He’s the kind of fan who reminds us of where the word fan came from—an abbreviated form of fanatic.
With others, it may be their work, their hobby, their health, or their grandchildren. Every situation and conversation is going to come around, usually sooner than later, to their particular focus. The setting may change, but the subject will stay the same.
Most readers who know about Philippians associate the word joy with it, and Paul did write a lot about joy in this short epistle. But he wrote so much about joy because he wrote far more about his main subject— Christ. Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ,” and the number of times the name of Christ appears in this portion helps us understand just how true that statement was. Paul saw himself as a servant of Christ. He saw his readers as saints in Christ. The grace and peace of his greeting came from Christ. He loved the Philippians with the affection of Christ. The approaching day of Christ was on his mind. The maturing fruit of a disciple’s life came through Christ. Even though he was in prison for Christ, he rejoiced when Christ was preached, even by some with ulterior motives. Paul intended to
honor Christ by his life or by his death. He had a great desire to be with Christ. He wanted all their conduct to glorify Christ, even their suffering as believers in Christ. See what I mean?
The joy, servant-heartedness, righteousness and contentment Paul wrote about in Philippians all center in Jesus Christ. We admire these traits in Paul and want to have them in our lives, too. Paul’s secret and ours to this kind of living is making Christ our passion. That single-mindedness grows out of loving the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind. It comes from seeking the kingdom of God first. It is the natural result of forsaking all, even dying to self, to follow him.
What would an observer detect as your focus, your passion? What if every word you said today was audited and every action was reviewed? Here’s a frightening one— what if your thoughts could be monitored? Would a sold out devotion and life- dominating allegiance to Jesus be clear in your daily thinking, speaking and acting? How will knowing him influence your life today? Who will hear his voice in your words, and see his love in your actions today?
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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