Love: A New Commandment - a Journey in PhilippiansSample

OUR INVITATION TO YOU:

Writing from prison, his letter to the Philippians is one of Paul’s most joyous letters - the reason for this joy being love. Paul celebrates in prison, consistently praying that the love of his readers may grow. Through reading this letter you are invited to discover how the love of God, put into practice, transforms people and situations. Sharing in this Gospel-way of living will bring both greater joy and celebration to your life.

Some reading tips before we get started:

• We sometimes forget that Philippians was a letter and read as a whole. So maybe you can put some time aside and read through it in one go. (If you read slowly it takes about 15 minutes. Use a translation that you feel comfortable with.)
• This letter was read in public, in other words, people listened together. Maybe you can ask someone to do this reading plan with you.
• We are reading this letter with a specific focus on love. Start each day’s reading with this prayer from the letter and make it personal: “And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best.” (Philippians 1:9)

DEVOTION:

Extended Greetings

To love is also to be curious about something or someone. “How do you read?” Jesus once asked a Bible student (Luke 10:26). The question is not about the mechanics of reading, but the attitude. There’s a whole new world of meaning and purpose that we receive when we open up ourselves to what is written in the Bible. So, let’s read with a curious heart and mind.

In verses 1 and 2 we find a greeting that was commonly used in letters to say who the letter was from and to whom it was written. Paul always includes information in his greetings that points to where he is going with the letter, for example, the theme of him and Timothy being servants. For this devotion, we will only focus on the people he is writing to, whom he calls the saints in Christ Jesus in Philippi.

Being “In Christ” is a wonderful reality: God’s love for us is his grace that “places” us in Christ. We do not have to understand precisely how it came to be, to live in this reality. You don’t have to understand how a car was made, or even how the engine works, to experience driving. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, you were included in him. In other words, because Jesus loves you, he died a death on the cross that placed you inside of him. And now, while you live in a certain physical region or city, there is a hidden dimension to your life. You are in Christ and your identity, destiny and source for everyday living is Christ himself. Your life is in Christ. In Christ, you are also set apart for God’s plan and purposes. That’s what the word “saint” means. We will keep discovering and learning about this life in Christ. So, please stay curious. But let’s start the journey where Paul began: with thanksgiving. Give thanks to God for His grace that “placed” you in Christ.

Reflection Question:

What makes me curious in life?

Prayer:

Thank you, Father, for your grace that placed me in Christ. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you died for me to include me. Thank you that you set me apart for your purposes. Thank you, Father, for this letter that you use to grow me in my life in Christ. Amen.