Philippians Review

The first thing we learn from the book of Philippians is that we should always thank God for our fellow Christians.  We are not alone in serving God as followers of Christ.  We need to pray for our fellow believers and hopefully they will be praying for us as well.  Next, like Paul, we need to understand that whatever is happening in our life, if we are being obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit it will be for the furtherance of the gospel.  We cannot believe that unless we are happy and materially successful that we God is not with us and blessing us.  Then, we need to love one another with a Christ like love.  If we do, then we will always put the welfare of others above our own.  We also need to be confident in our calling as Christians and boldly declare the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Just as Paul warned the Christians at Philippi, we need to be aware that there are many who proclaim a perverted gospel and cause dissension in the church.  Paul also said that if the gospel, the truth that salvation comes from Jesus Christ alone, is being preached, it is still a good thing.  The message, and not the messenger, is what is important.  We also learn that we may be at war within ourselves between the need to stay here and do the work of Christ and the desire to depart this sinful world and be with Christ forever.  Paul said he had this war within himself, but he knew that what was best for him, going on to be with Christ, was not what was best for his fellow Christians.  We need to also let our conversation be such that it will be pleasing to God.  Paul said that it was given to the Christians at Philippi not only the ability to believe on Jesus Christ, but also to suffer for Him.  This is far from a name it and claim it because God wants me to be happy concept of following Jesus Christ.  We are also told that we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.  This does not mean that we create our own plan of salvation, but that we individually accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and we let the Holy Spirit guide us in living by faith.  Our inability to gain salvation through our own abilities should leave us fearful and trembling before God until we accept His gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.