A common question that people ask about Christianity is, why, if God is real, does He not make His existence more obvious to us. We ask this question because we want things to be simple and straightforward. However, we see in the bible that God chooses to reveal Himself on His own terms, through Jesus.

The humility of Christ (which is about to be unpacked in the following passage) is a demonstration of the other-person focus of the Gospel. Love is selfless, not selfish.

Obedience to Jesus when we believe true joy is found elsewhere is drudgery. But when we see Christ for who He is, and believe that in Him is true joy, following Him with our lives is full of meaning and purpose and joy.

The sovereignty of God and the supremacy of Christ.

Again, Paul demonstrates a provocatively joyful attitude. In the face of his unjust imprisonment and even ‘gospel advocates’ trying to make his life even more difficult, he still rejoices. He does so, because he chooses to see life from a Christ-perspective. If Christ is glorified, then I am more than happy! What happens to me physically doesn’t even matter, even death!

Joel looks at the union and unity that Christ brings us into. As a provocation to our current society, Paul and the Philippians rejoice not in themselves or selfish joy/pleasure they have found (Paul is in prison, remember!), but by revelling in the fact they are part of something much bigger than themselves that even involves the glory of God.

Glen Scrivener is Director and Evangelist at Speak Life, an organisation that exists to revive Christians, resource the church and reach the world with the good news of Jesus.

Kenny McCoosh leads Emmanuel Belfast which is part of our global family of churches

Malcolm Gamon leads Cornerstone Church, Bath which is part of our global family of churches

Stephen Dawson is an elder at Emmanuel and leads the Clarendon Centre location

Terry Virgo is the founding pastor of Emmanuel and Newfrontiers, an international network of 1500+ churches in over 60 nations.