The Path of Perseveranceናሙና

Paul’s letter to the Philippians progresses as we see him calling all believers to the unprecedented humility of Christ, to walk in the fear of the Lord toward our salvation, shine bright in a world of “crooked and perverse” people, and hold firmly to the word of life.

Jesus took on the humble position of a slave, humbling Himself to death, even death on the cross, and God elevated Him to the highest place of honor. When (not if) we’re invited to the lowest place of humility in trials, there is a death for us, too: the death of self-help, self-importance, self-righteousness, self-obsession, etc. Only those who make themselves small enough to fit into the nook of knowing such humility that leads to death will ever experience the fullness of resurrection in Christ. The narrow way of the cross always leads to a deeper revelation of “the name above all other names,” which has been given to Jesus by the Father.

Experiences like this combined with living in a crooked and perverse world can bring weariness over time, but Jesus commands us to “do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights.” The reason for this is so that upon Jesus’ return we will be proud that we did not run in vain, and our work was not useless!

No matter what we endure between now and the end of this age, we can trust that for those who are in Christ, there is grace to live blameless, no matter the state of the world and church, and hasten His return with fear, trembling, and great joy.

1. What is a place in my life that God is inviting me to die to self and step into Christ’s humility?
2. Paul acknowledges that there will be crooked and perverse people in this world. Am I operating out of criticism and judgment toward unbelievers and those who hurt me or as a bright light messenger carrying the gospel, which has all power to reconcile, save, and deliver?
3. Are there any areas of my life where I feel like I am running in vain or my work is useless? Why? What does the Holy Spirit say about those areas?
4. At the end of chapter 2, with great love and honor, Paul mentions two disciples of his own he will be sending to Philippi, Timothy and Epaphroditus (who delivered resources to Paul in chapter 1). Who are you growing in the gospel as you grow up into Christ?