Simply Philippines

Bible Matters 561: Simply Philippians

There was almost ten years of ministry between Paul’s early epistles of Galatians and Thessalonians and the prison epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.  The epistle to the Romans, written before the prison epistles, contained a very complete version of God’s gospel of Love being clear and concise with repentance being mandatory for salvation.  Once you believe in God, shall you continue in sin?  God forbid.  You repent and turn from sin.

Romans 6:1-2,14-18 – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

As to be expected the epistle to the Philippians contains the complete six-point God’s gospel of Love.    God knew what he was doing, when he selected Paul to deliver his gospel of Love simply presented in Philippians.  Simple verses with a complete message for God’s gospel.  The preponderance of evidence is overwhelming.  Let’s review.

·        Paul tells you to believe in God.  God is your record!

Philippians 1:8 – For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

·        Repent of your sins, shining as a light of the world. 

Philippians 2:15 – That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

·        Judge No One – You know sin.  Move on and let that person fall in love with God on their time.

Philippians 2:14 – Do all things without murmurings and disputings.

·        Love God – God is looking for your good works. 

Philippians 1:10-11 – That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 4:7-9 – And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

·        Love your neighbor by lifting up others.

Philippians 2:1-3 – If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

·        Endure to the end in the hope of eternal life. 

Philippians 2:12-13 – Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Paul gave testimony and clearly spoke the gospel of Love in Philippians.  Paul concludes by telling you to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling by doing the will of God.  They knew exactly what they had to do to serve people, Serve God and endure to the end.  There is not hidden message.  No hidden agenda.   The conclusion is clear.   God wants you to live God’s gospel of Love.

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.