#11 Our Confidence Text: “And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again” (Philippians 1:25 – 26 NASB). Truth: Our confidence is to be in Christ Jesus. Commentary: Paul is convinced that he is to remain on in the flesh and is even hoping to come and see them again. He lists two benefits by remaining on in the flesh: their progress in the faith and their joy in the faith. This raises an important question for each of us. As we live the life God has given us as believers, how are we allowing Christ to use us to help others grow in their faith and have greater joy? God the Father chose us and caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:1 – 3) and sent us out into the world as aliens and strangers (1 Peter 2:11) to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe his commandments (Matt. 28:19 – 20). We weren’t chosen and created as a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) to settle into a nice comfortable home and live a life of pleasure. We were told that if we walked as Jesus walked we would suffer as he did. Anyone who upholds the standard of righteousness will cause guilt in those who don’t, resulting in growing hostility toward us. We are called to endure and to suffer from their unjust punishment of our faithfulness and righteousness for it is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God (1 Peter 2:21; Acts 14:21). I see this being lived out in the house church movement in China and as a result Christianity is experiencing a rapid growth. In America, where we have settled in and seek pleasure, Christianity is losing its power and the nation is falling deep into sin. Are we enough different from those of the world that our witness is effective in helping others grow in their faith? Think of the life Jesus and Paul lived and the suffering it caused them, but also think of the gain for us. From Jesus Christ it was our salvation and from Paul it was a big share of the New Testament. What might be our part in God’s plan? As we proclaim Jesus Christ, we stimulate an environment of fellowship that is not only with them but with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. As we love one another with love that is from God and reach out to meet the needs of one another, our joy will be made complete (1 John 1:1 – 4). The presence of Paul and his work was resulting in those of Philippi enjoying greater joy. If a leader, like Paul, is content and stands above his suffering he is looked upon with proud confidence by his followers. His faithfulness as a leader who is suffering unjustly produces power in the lives of people to advance the gospel of Christ. Are we worthy to be looked at with proud confidence by others? Paul sets a strong example before us to consider and follow. Application: Are we making the most of the life God has given us for the progress and joy of others in the faith? What are you doing to encourage your own growth and joy in the faith? In what ways are you helping others experiencing growth and joy in the faith? Prayer: Father, I pray that I will be content in my circumstances and remain faithful to you so that Christ would be exalted in my body, resulting in others experiencing growth and joy in the faith.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 14:23:35 +0000
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