Reflecting on Philippians 1

In November, I am celebrating by reading Philippians 30 times! This little letter has a lot to say about joy and thanksgiving, about being content and steadfast. It is a wonderful letter that everyone should take time to study and reflect! My favorite passages:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 1:6 ESV)

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
(Philippians 1:9-11 ESV)

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
(Philippians 1:29 ESV)

God's not through with us yet. It is not always easy being a work-in-progress, seeing just how weak and frail we are, how fallen and imperfect. But. It is comforting to know that God will finish us, that he has a plan for us, and that he will see us through from start to finish.

I love Paul's prayer! I do. It stresses the importance of love, that the believers' love will continue to grow and expand. But. It also stresses that with that love should come knowledge and discernment. That they should be loving and discerning. Why??? Because it is important for believers to "approve what is excellent."

How many consider suffering to be a gift and blessing, something "granted" by God to us, for our own good and his own glory? Yet the Bible clearly teaches this! Not only in Philippians, but in James, see James 1:2-4, for example.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible