December 5
Paul evangelized the Philippians and indeed, he reached out with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ even to his jailers. In his letter to the Philippians, he posed some questions that he may have asked of those who held him bound in chains.
In Philippians 2:1, 2, he asks, “Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does His love comfort you? Do we share together in His Spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? If so, make me very happy and delight your Lord by having the same thoughts, mind, purpose, and love that HE has.”
Paul goes on to admonish against strife with others or pride within oneself. He declares that it is far better to esteem others above self. He is wise enough to know that we will not as quickly defame or disregard those who we see in a good light. As he continues his discourse, Paul pens some of the most amazing words ever written. In Philippians 2:5-7, he says, “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, although He was in the form of God and thought it not robbery to be considered equal to God, took on Himself the form of a servant. He became a humble man…”
All this emptying of Himself was done to accomplish our salvation. Paul knew that this one singular event is transformative to the men who will embrace it, and he would have all men to claim it. Paul knew that in the pouring out of Jesus, sinners are delivered from the emptiness of their sin-laden lives to the fullness of the presence and power of the Son of God resident within them. Paul knew that it was his mission to share this precious truth with every man he encountered so he declared it even to his jailors. Paul declares it today—even to you and to me.
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