Paul is in a Roman prison, chained under house arrest when he writes Philippians 2. Yet under these grim circumstances, he writes more about joy, rejoicing, and living the Christian life to its fullest than at any other time. In fact, the word joy is mentioned 17 times in the book of Philippians - more than anywhere else in the New Testament. There are two major points to draw from in Phil. 2: 19-24:A compassionate life is rooted in Jesus Christ: "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon..." (vs. 19)." Paul's earlier life in Judaisism was one of persecution, anger, and hatred for anyone in the church (Gal. 1:13). But a new sect known as Christianity has now altered his life completely and the persecutor has become preacher and disiciple. And the man who was known for hatred wrote the chapter on love, Corinthians 13.The deeper your roots are in Jesus Christ, the greater your capacity to love other people. As believers we share similiar world view and have the commitment to not only save ourselves but as many people we can.Jesus must be the center of our lives. Ken Boa writes in his book, Conformed to His Image, that people typically see Jesus as just another component of their lives, just as view politics, family, work, investments, and the social circle. Christianity is something that is practiced on Sunday mornings but has little impact on the rest of the week: Jesus is not the center of everything simply because we are too afraid to trust Jesus in every facet of our lives. But Colossians 1:17 says that "all things were created through Him and for Him." His supremacy demands our fullest attention.When Jesus is the center of your life, not just a component, then you develop relationships with other people that share the same convictions and, in the process, relationships deepen. I John 1:7 says that "if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." When Jesus is the hub, the center of your life, we have common priorities, world views, values, and a common destiny that bonds us together. Paul says of Timothy: "I have no one like him....as a son with his father, he has served me in the gospel."A life of compassion should be exteneded to a variety of people. Although Paul and Timothy come from different backgrounds and have different personalities, Paul's compassion was able to overcome these differences. A life rooted in Jesus Christ is willing to break down barriers.A life of compasssion for other people is essential for spiritial growth. Paul, after released from house arrest, is later arrested and thrown in a dungeon. While awaiting execution. he laments the fact that he has no one to visit him to encourage him. We need to be compassionate to other people because we need their compassion, especailly the older we get. You will never reach a stage where you don't need relationships with other Christians, especially in difficult times. We also need accountablilty when we are tempted. We need relationships with other Christians who love us enought to tell us when we step out of line. The Christian life is never meant to be spent in isolation. Proverbs 18:1 says, "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment."A life of compassion is expressed by the sacrifice of selfish interest. Paul was willing for Timothy to leave him and the companionship he offered in order to send him to tend to the needs of the church in Philippi. Living a life of compassion is essential if we are to be like Christ. The blessings in doing so make life joyful.
