Paul knows by experience that the truth of Christ bring opposition. He is trying to encourage the Philippian believers by stating the facts about their shared work for Jesus. Telling others about salvation, redemption, eternal life, heaven…. are all things in which the believer rejoices. The unbeliever sees them as a pronouncement of coming destruction and fights against those who proclaim these gospel truths. In Philippians 
1:27-30, Paul says we need to stand up for Christ and walk in a manner worthy of His calling. This is a life lived fearlessly for Christ knowing He alone is Savior, Redeemer, and Sovereign over all things.
27 “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.”
Paul’s conclusion is that knowing and walking with Christ each day is a privilege entrusted to us by faith and with that comes suffering. Know it, accept it and then lean on Him. Remember you can take strength in and from fellow believers as you stand together in the cause of Christ. Here are a few verses that help with the concept of suffering and why it comes with the job of being a believer. (I have printed them at the bottom.) I pray they help you to put in perspective what a privilege we have to suffer with Christ and the bigger purpose He has for us in suffering. James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:14 and Acts 5:40-41.
My joy is increased:
- I do not need to be fearful in my daily walk. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- I am in this with life with victorious Christ and fellow believers are at my side.
- Remembering Christ sacrifice for me, it is a privilege to suffer for Him.
Let your joy in serving Christ fill you today.
Linda
James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
1 Peter 4:14 “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
Acts 5:40-41 “and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
Paul is torn between the desire to be with Jesus and the desire to be with believers working to spread the gospel and for Christ. Paul doesn’t know what the future holds for him but he rejoices in the assurance that God holds the future! (Sounds like today huh!) He knows that God’s plans can be trusted and are good for him. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the 
fellowship with other believers, the work of preaching, disciplining and proclaiming Christ is also good. He loves his fellow co-workers and loves seeing their joy in Christ and the glory they all bring to God.
May your joy be solidly rooted in Jesus as you walk in faith and trust in Almighty God.
fellow believers. Do you feel that way too? “
Be encouraged and keep on praying. Give you requests to God and He will answer. If you don’t exactly know how to pray? Ask the Holy Spirit to do it for you. Romans 8:27 “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” God is faithful and will answer in His time and in His way. This requires faith, trust and patience as we wait upon God for His perfect answer.
grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
It is important for us to know that Jesus’ work on the cross finished the issue of salvation and forgiveness, but not His work in the world now and in the future. God has a plan for all time that He reveals in the Bible. He refers to all believers here as the church, elsewhere the Bride of Christ. They are a body of believers that are filled with His Spirit, the Spirit that fills all things.
Spend some time in prayer today contemplating your place, work and spirit of cooperation within your local church. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you are doing well and where you need His help to do better. He is faithful and will show you.
How do you pray for others believers when you hear they are struggling, being persecuted, or have the desire to live and walk with Jesus each day? Paul gives us some guidelines for these prayers in Ephesians 1:15-19.
Today as you pray for others, let Paul’s guidelines of prayer for his fellow believers in Ephesus be on your mind. Give thanks for them, then ask God to give them wisdom, discernment, growth in truth and and understanding of who God is. Remember the words from James 5:16b ” The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Pray earnestly for your fellow believers and watch God work in their lives and in yours.
Fearless Living 