A few excerpts from Pastor Bob’s personal notes on Paul’s letter to the Philiippians:
1:6—“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ.”
One of the high impact principles of Christian thought is set down in this verse. The principle is that God is doing a work within the Christian community that He will continue to move toward completion until the time of Christ’s return, the coming of the perfect One. It is not just a series of tasks that he repeatedly orchestrates, like worship, or teaching, or outreach. It is a spiritual work in our spirits with a specific end in view, a movement toward maturity and completeness. It is not so much ministry done by us, though that is the by-product. It is a work He does within each individual and so also one that shapes our collective spirit….
2:13–”For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Paul continues to build on the idea that we need to apply diligent effort to the ongoing work of God’s salvation in us. This is not primarily because we will benefit from it, though we will. It is not just because of the disasters our sinfulness is still able to work in our lives, though these are significant. The primary reason we should give ourselves to this is because it is God who is doing it.
In our present culture we have largely lost the significance of the innate right of God, or that that matter even that of any earthly ruler. The privilege of democracy has purged this from us. Our leaders and rulers work for us and are charged with representing our will within legal boundaries. In the case of imperfect, fallen men who rule us, this accountability is appropriate. In the cased of our Creator it is neither necessary nor are we remotely capable of it. His power is absolute, His integrity impeccable, His will perfectly just, and His motives pure. He has the right as Creator to will certain things in terms of our lives that please Him and he does….
3:12—“Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”
This verse clearly shows that Paul is speaking of a level of spiritual experience of Christ in this present life when he speaks of resurrection out from among the dead. He describes it here as becoming perfect. We would understand that as becoming mature or complete. He did not regard himself as having arrived at that point yet. He was pressing on, continuing what he had started years earlier, anxious to arrive at more of what he had already experienced. He was not yet complete.
It is of significance to ponder Paul’s words regarding why Christ had laid hold of him. We know that Paul was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 15:15-16; Ephesians 3:1-7)….
4:6—“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
“Anxiety in a heart,” Solomon said, “Weighs it down” (Proverbs 12:25). It alters who we are and what we are to become and accomplish. Whenever it is present within us we should examine ourselves for sin (Psa. 38:18). Anxiety can be a by-product of our being out of fellowship with Yahweh (Ezekiel 12:18-19). It is also true that without specific sin on our part anxiety is present in us, a consequence of our fallenness and separation from our Maker. Intimacy with Him provides consolation (Psalm 94:19; 1 Peter 5:7).
These is no anxiety which renewed confidence in God will not ease. Whether it is anxiety over a decision, over bodily needs, over financial or spiritual need, He is sufficient. His power directed by His faithfulness, goodness, and kindness, reminds us that He is capable, willing, and eager to involve Himself in the matters that concern us.
Click here to download Pastor Bob’s notes on Philippians.