Ask most Christians about their experience in the gospel, and they usually head for the hills because the very thought of approaching another person to tell them about their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ terrifies them. We all have stories and scars to talk about our bad experiences in the gospel. And while speaking to others is a critical element of the gospel, Paul says there is something more important to see about it. On the one hand we need to believe it and speak it. But on the other hand, Paul says we need to ‘become’ the gospel. In other words, it’s not just what you say that unveils the gospel, it’s your living. Paul says, “As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27a). Christians first and foremost are citizens of heaven. Which means our source for all we do and say should come from heaven. But in addition, as Christians, we are called to live heavenly lives here on earth, in our daily situations in order that our colleagues, classmates and family to see the gospel lived out right before their eyes. By the power of the Spirit Paul and the Philippians did it. Now it’s our turn.

Evangelicals hope to ‘go to heaven’ when they die. Catholics expect a Purgatory-detour before going there. Lifeafter-death for Paul is different; dying is ‘departure to be with Christ’; its being ‘absent from the body, but present with the Lord.’ Christ’s ‘interim state,’ between dying and rising, will be matched by believers–they’ll be disembodied ‘naked souls,’ but ‘re-clothed’ at the Resurrection. Yet, Jesus’ parables are dramatically different. His ‘Rich Man & Lazarus’ story portrays both men conscious and embodied after death, already experiencing reward or punishment prior to the Last Judgment. Is Lazarus experiencing Eternal bliss with Abraham? Is the Rich Man’s fate the Eternal Hellfire threatened by Fundamentalist preachers, or is it Catholic Purgatory? Where’s the ‘Interim State’ in this story? Can the diverse scenarios of Paul & Jesus be reconciled? A crucial key is recognizing that Jesus’ story is a parable, not an historical account. It’s not a ‘roadmap beyond the grave’; Jesus challenged the Pharisees using their own Life-after-Death folklore. So, does Jesus’ parable really conflict with Paul’s ‘interim state’? Do resurrection, reward &/or punishment all begin immediately after death? Is there a Biblical basis for Purgatory? Such questions deserve Bible-based answers.

Paul indicates that we have been given the gift of believing in Christ and suffering for the sake of Christ. We have no problem with the gift of believing but we struggle with the thought that suffering is a gift. Paul’s mindset is that since Christ suffered, as followers of Christ we will also suffer and this is a gracious gift. This attitude went against the perception of success and honor in the society at his time. It is not much different today. Although we should not ask for suffering, when it comes, we need to have the right mindset regarding suffering. Paul indicates that this suffering can result in future resurrection (Phil. 3:10) and that it produces endurance, character and hope (Rom. 5:3-4.) Paul is trying to change our mindset regarding suffering. It is a gift and it produces something and forms us for resurrection. It also makes us people who can walk with others through their suffering.

What happens to Christians when we die? Some would confidently answer, “That’s easy, we go to heaven!” And while that answer rolls off the tongue of so many Christians, is that what we can look forward to when we die? Paul lays out a pathway that follows the same one that our Saviour Jesus also took. A bodily existence here on earth. Followed upon death of a disembodied temporary state where we will enjoy the presence of God. But that is not our final state! There will be a final resurrection for believers. At that point we will receive a new resurrected body that is suitable for the new creation. We have such a beautiful future in store for us. No wonder Paul tells us we should rejoice at the prospect of this incredible future with God and his people!

Paul had supporters, but also detractors—critics & rivals who doubted his apostleship, questioned his mission, & saw his incarceration as divine disfavor. Responding Paul declares, “this will turn out to my salvation…” (1:19). What does “salvation” mean here? Is it being saved from eternal punishment, or deliverance—release from prison? Is it rescue from anxiety & shame? The key is that Paul quotes directly from OT Job (13:16); this narrows the interpretational options. Assailed by inexplicable loss, Job suffered unrelenting accusation from his ‘friends,’ assured of his sin. Courageously Job appealed to God for vindication and received it. Now Paul invokes Job’s voice calling for divine vindication; ultimately only God’s verdict counts. What about you? Do you feel misunderstood, unjustly criticized, unfairly maligned? Did you ever ask “why do ‘bad things’ happen to me?” Can we—like Job & Paul—appeal for God’s vindication? Let’s look at Paul, asking: do we match his example?

Paul’s hope was that, whether he would live or die, Christ would be honoured. He would not be ashamed as a prisoner, nor ashamed if he should die. He shared this as a pattern for the Philippian believers. Paul’s thoughts and view of life and death are different than most of ours. He did not view one as bad and the other good, rather, he viewed them both as good. For Paul, to live was Christ and to die was gain. He depicts dying as the “better of two goods.” Most people today avoid the topic of death. But for Paul, he considered dying as a gain (Phil. 1:21), being with Christ (Phil. 1:23) or being at home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). For Paul the deciding factor in his present situation was what was best for the Philippian believers. He believed that God would release him from prison so that he could remain with them for their progress and joy in the faith. Paul didn’t live for himself but for others.

Oftentimes when we face hardships, sufferings and difficulties, we might think God can’t possibly use us at that time. We disqualify ourselves from serving him because we are too busy licking our wounds. But what if God wanted to use us even in the midst of our most difficult times? The Philippians knew Paul was in prison and faced an uncertain future. What would that mean for the gospel? Paul gave them a new way of looking at his situation, and all difficult situations when it comes to working with God. Where we see hindrance, blockage or frustration, God sees a new way for the gospel to advance. What a mindset Paul had! “Lord, renew our minds to see all the opportunities you give us to advance your gospel .”

We’re inundated by news, messages, & media–all competing for our attention & resources; how to cut through the

‘noise’ and focus on what really matters? Paul, ‘the slave of Christ,’ prayed for believers to discern ‘the things that matter most.’ This isn’t a generic call to pursue excellence or better prioritize our time and resources. It’s more profound; Paul exemplifies that some things matter, others don’t. For Paul, the Gospel’s progress matters, not his imprisonment or rival preachers’ motives. Christ’s exaltation matters, not his trial’s verdict—life or death. The Philippians’ progress matters, not Paul’s presence or absence. Ultimately, what matters most for Paul? Only Christ matters; he counts everything else as loss. Adopting this criterion, the Philippians won’t grieve over Paul’s incarceration or even execution; they’d rejoice (like Paul) in the success of God’s mission

In most of Paul’s letters he expresses his thankfulness to God for the believers to whom he is writing. As well he expresses thanks to God for His work and what He has done in various places. Paul’s gratitude spills over into joy especially in his epistle to the Philippians. Paul’s gratitude is for all things even when circumstances are not in his favor. Not only does he model thankfulness but he exhorts the believers to give thanks in and for all things. And so we should do likewise. 

Paul is confident that the work that God began in the Philippians will be completed. He bases this on both God and the response that the Philippians have had and continue to have in their partnership with Paul and God in the gospel. On the one had they are partnering with Paul; on the other hand, they are partnering with God in His mission. Their response gave Paul this confidence. Let us partner with each other and with God in his mission.

The way Paul begins his letter to the Philippians is so very important because it begins the theme of servanthood which we find illustrated again & again in the letter. He speaks of himself & Timothy as ‘slaves of Christ Jesus’ (1:1). Slave, not apostle. As Christ laid aside his authority as God and became a slave in order to serve humanity (2:6-8), so too Paul laid aside his apostolic authority to serve others for his Master, Jesus. We might all agree that that’s appropriate for an apostle, afterall he is in complete service to God. But is that also an appropriate expectation for you & I? Are we called to be slaves of Christ & therefore servants to all as well? Philippians offers us this one and only one way to live a worthy life! Are there other ways to live? Of course. But Paul encourages us all to be slaves of Christ Jesus our Lord.