Love: A New Commandment - a Journey in PhilippiansSample

Going Public

Nothing was private in the Roman Empire. It was only the very rich that had this thing we call “privacy”. Many of them had mute slaves to keep that lifestyle going. For most people everything was public. A big part of Roman culture was public celebrations with sacrifices to honour some god or Caesar himself. People were forced by law to partake. The only people who were exempt were the Jews. Now, these non-Jewish people who followed Jesus no longer took part in festivals. And they even hung out with some of the Jews! What was going on here?

Paul says God is bringing his salvation to the world. Caesar also claimed to bring salvation. At one stage civil wars were widespread throughout the largest part of the known world. With the victories of Augustus, the first Caesar, a sense of peace and stability came to the Roman Empire. A peace through the brute power of military force. That was the salvation Caeser brings. That’s why one of his titles was also “Saviour”.

But God’s salvation comes through another King. This salvation comes through the power of God’s love and brings a peace that unites people in a way never seen before. People who came from totally different backgrounds socially, racially, and all the “-ally’s” you can think of, lived as a new type of family. For Paul, this unity was one of the biggest signs of God’s salvation. And it was also a sign of the victory of Christ over the kingdoms of this world. Their end has started because the salvation of the one true God has begun.

In our world, faith and church have become something private and personal. How can we again go public with signs that there is another King? Signs that God’s salvation has really come and that he is calling people into his family to partner for the Gospel of this Kingdom of love?

Reflection Question

Where do I see signs in my world of God’s kingdom and salvation?

Prayer:

Thank you, Father, for the salvation you give to us freely in Christ. Thank, Lord Jesus, for your victory. Holy Spirit, use me with other believers to be signs of your kingdom and salvation in our world. In Jesus’ name. Amen