Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ…
Summary: In this passage, Paul points to a higher power: the Spirit of Jesus.
In this passage, Paul summarizes his letter so far and adds one important point: Success does not depend on him.
The nature of God is defined by love (agapẽ). The Apostle John tells us, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).
My impression of godly love has always been that it is a selfless love. For example, Jesus died so that we might be saved (John 15:13, Mark 10:45). Giving up life so that others may live is, in my book, the definition of selflessness.
Yet, God our Father is not selfless. He has a “self.” He has a will. Like the father in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), God desires that we come home to him (2 Samuel 14:14). When we rebel against him and disobey it makes him angry (1 Kings 14:9).
In my view, This ability to possess a sense of self and still love selflessly is the epitome of “godly love.”
On the other hand, the definition of humanity is to put self first above all else.
What makes David so special is that he is a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). We see this in the way David constantly consults God before making decisions, and when he is victorious in battle, it is always because of God. He never points to himself as the reason for his success.
Paul does something similar. He points to the prayers of the Philippians on his behalf, and then he points to God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
The Spirit of Jesus is the heart and soul of the church. Jesus Christ is the Gospel. He is the “Good News.” He is the Messiah that was promised in ancient times (Isaiah 9:6).
We do not serve an image of a god, nor do we serve a god who has no power or will. Believers in Jesus Christ serve the Living God. Jesus is well able to ensure his church is alive and well (Luke 19:40).
Application: Trust Jesus!
Food for Thought: How does our service to God depend on Jesus?
Jesus is the One who, along with the Father, sent us the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit in us allows us to rely on God’s power instead of our own. It is God’s power and gifts that come from Him that allow us to serve each other and Him to His glory. To serve as God intended depends on the resources that ultimately come from Him. So in every good thing I do He gets the credit. I am just the vessel. When I manage, through His power, to do something good – He was the One doing His work through me.
Ephesians 4: 7 – 13: But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it a says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.” b
9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions c ? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12: 7 – 11: Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, a and to still another the interpretation of tongues. b 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Thank you, Brother!
In this respect, you are very much like David!
Thank you Rich!
How does our service to God depend on Jesus?
True service to God is only possible to the degree we depend on Jesus over ourselves.
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24
The truth, the beauty of Christian life is experienced when after countless attempts to show, tell others our perceived image in Christ, we learn to get out of the way as we submit to His will, His power to reveal Himself to others through us. Recognizing, the simple truth, we find that Jesus Christ, the power of God is ministering, doing all good things to others through us, becomes the major breakthrough into freedom in the life of every believer.
When at some point fully realize we have no power to do do any good, get out of the drivers seat and allow the power of God to display His will, His truths to others in the manner He has determined is most effective for the individual receiving His massage.
At this point, we are beginning our journey to more fully understanding the words ordained by God, to be written for us.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 1 John 5:12
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Thank you, Ron!
“we learn to get out of the way as we submit to His will”
So true!!
Great reference verses, too!