Week Four: A Shift in Perspective

The letter of Philippians is one of the last that Paul wrote, and he wrote it from Rome, chained to a Roman soldier, to the church that he had planted on his 2^nd missionary journey. At least ten years have passed since the church in Philippi first began, and it has become a thriving, well-organized body of believers with deacons and overseers and the ability to take up collections to send as support to Paul.

     Paul has completed all of the missionary journeys that he will take, and though there will be a brief release from prison, he is not many years from his final arrest and martyrdom.

     We learn much about the state of the church in Philippi and about Paul from this letter.  Through it, the Holy Spirit speaks to us as a church and individuals.

     Paul’s greeting preaches the gospel in three short words, “Grace and Peace.”

     He is writing with Timothy by his side. Timothy was a young man, perhaps even a teenager, when he joined Paul during the second missionary journey on the way to Philippi for the first time.

     Composing the first lines of this letter must have been a sentimental moment for Paul, cognizant of the adult by his side and the seasoned church whom he is addressing.

“I thank my God every time I remember you In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:3-6.

   In his opening prayer for the church, two issues on Paul’s mind stand out: that their love would abound and that their ability to discern would increase.

   Love. Discernment.

   We can speculate that there were issues of not loving one another and a lack of discernment arising in the church.

   And incisively Paul gets to the heart of the matter that is causing a lack of love and a lack of discernment:

    This great teacher and preacher and founder of their church is in jail.  He is in chains.

    See the connection? His incarceration has triggered a problem among the believers.

    Not one to mince words, although he is one to use a lot of words, Paul hones in on the provocation. There are some in the Philippian church who are trying to supplant Paul’s authority in the Philippian church by pointing to his chains as evidence that he no longer has God’s favor.

     It happens all the time in church.

     Sometimes, believers allow themselves to become offended and even jealous of someone holding a position that we ourselves wish to hold.  Perhaps we think we can do a better job or we are envious of the influence we once held, and we begin the subtle whispering and prayer requests and “concerns” that highlight a supposed weakness and thereby promoting ourselves to a position of influence and center of attention.

     We’ve all been there. On both sides of the issue.

    But what is not typical is Paul’s response.

   So what? As long as the gospel is being preached, so what?

    Furthermore, the only reason I am still alive is because there is still work to do.

    You’ve lost perspective if you think my chains indicate that I am separated from Christ.

Actually, the prospect of death only means I am getting closer to the moment that I will really be with Him. In fact, these chains are opportunities!

    I am in a win win situation (see Philippians 1:12- 14).

    What?

    This is a profound shift in perspective.  The enemy went low, but Paul just flew right over their heads.  It is impossible to go any higher than Paul has just gone.

    Paul’s perspective has placed him in a position from which he can speak powerfully into their lives.

    Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel!

    Whatever happens. Paul has set an example on how to live in any circumstance – especially when persecuted.

    Drop. The. Mic.

    Love each other.  Stop being selfish, stop looking out for your own interests, be like Jesus.

The antidote to a lack of love and lack of discernment, selfish ambition and conceit: be like Jesus.

And then Paul’s words break into a hymn of praise. One of the most beautiful doxologies written in the Bible beginning with the humility of Christ and culminating with the  exaltation of Christ above every creature and created thing in heaven and earth.

    As he floats back to earth from that hymn of praise, Paul’s instructions are short, explosive, practical bullet points. This is what love, discernment, and humility look like.

Obey.

Work out your salvation.

Approach this work with fear and trembling.

God gets all the credit for the work and the will to do his pleasure.

Don’t complain. Don’t argue.

Be blameless. Be innocent.

Shine like a light.

Hold fast to the Gospel.

    And he bookends this hymn and these bullet points by returning to his theme and shift in perspective.

    Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering. . .I am glad and rejoice with you all.

    Even if. . .

     In other words, so what if I am suffering, as long as it advances the Gospel?

    And then, and only then, after introducing, establishing and repeating this perspective, does Paul begin to address individuals. 

    No “wink, wink” or “nod, nod” gossip, innuendo and false flattery (Proverbs 6:13; 10:13; 16:30).

Proverbs 10:10

He who winks the eye causes trouble,

And a babbling fool will be ruined.

Proverbs 6:13

Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet,

Who points with his fingers. . .

Proverbs 16:30

He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;

He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

Psalm 35:19

Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me;

Nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously.

   

Paul is simple and direct.

 

    Here we have an example in Paul of a righteous man, their teacher and leader, and though his rebuke may sting, it is true and to be received as a blessing.

“Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;
    let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head” – Psalm 141:5

“It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise
    than to hear the song of fools.” – Ecclesiastes 7:5

    As this portion of the letter closes, Paul now pivots to addressing individuals.

    First, he praises his co-workers Timothy and Epaphroditus, two men worthy of emulation, worthy of his trust, and trustworthy of being his messengers. One has been with him all along; one is from the city of Philippi.  These two disciples of Paul represent a bridge, examples of unity and fellowship between the one who taught and the one who received.

    Following Paul’s tender expression of love and concern for these two individuals, we begin the second half of the letter to the Philippians.

     Warning. Paul is going to be very, very clear on not only what the problem is but who the problem is. He is going to repeat himself, but this time, in what our editors have marked out as Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, he is going into detail concerning the personalities right there in the church among the believers — just in case anyone could not read between the lines in Chapters 1 and 2.   

    Paul will rebuke, but when he does, it is from a shift in perspective. He is not defending himself; he is fighting for the church, jealous on behalf of Jesus. He is not over reaching his authority nor is he being hypercritical from a subordinate position; he is speaking from a place of legitimate authority. Watch him. He will rebuke with tenderness and boldness, with wisdom and discernment, with humility and with power. Anything less is a lack of love and discernment.

   May Jesus be praised!