“Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute
every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the
saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Philippians 4:20-23).
Introduction
As we come to the end of our studies on the
Epistle to the Philippians, we note once again Paul’s gracious spirit in his
closing words of benediction to the church. The apostle Paul was someone who
knew how to open and close his letters with the blessings of God’s grace
(Philippians 1:2, 4:23). The Gospel of Christ is all about the grace of God, so
it is not unnatural for Paul to keep reminding his readers of it.
Amen
It is amazing to think that the Sovereign Ruler of
all things accepts and cares for us as a father does his children. “Now
unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our
Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude
:24-25) … “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to
whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Romans 11:36). He is called “our
Father” to show that He is not a distant deity that exists in total isolation
from His people. It should thrill our hearts as we reflect upon this wonderful
truth. The One Jesus called “My Father” (John 15) is “our
Father” too (Matthew 6). This “our” reveals that He is not the
“Father” of some special elect class, but that He is the “Father” of all
who believe. “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all,
and in you all” (Ephesians 4:6).
What a privilege it is then that we can pray
directly to our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9) and each one of us have the
wonderful blessing of calling Him ‘My Father’. “For ye have not
received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with
our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs
of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we
may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:15-17). We should constantly
remind ourselves of this glorious truth. “But when the fulness of the time
was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem
them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And
because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,
crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:4-6).
And amen
Throughout this letter we have noted the fact that
Paul’s desire was to influence others, even from within the confines of a
dank, miserable prison cell. He calls all those who believe “brethren” and
“saints”. We understand that those who had travelled to minister to Paul
would be classified as this, but it is certain that he is including those who
had come to know Christ with Caesar’s household. Notice how he highlights the
fact that there were Christians amongst Nero’s servants, soldiers and possible
even his own family. He held no malice against the Romans or those associated
with them, but is happy to call them brothers and sisters in Christ.
“Saints” does not mean that they were pure,
sinless or absolutely perfect, instead it shows that true believers are the
people of God. The Greek word for “saints” is ‘hagian’ and simply refers
to things that have been set apart, dedicated, for the Lord’s use. It has to
include the fact that “saints” are different from the world in thought, word
and deed. How can they be called God’s children if they do the things that
unbelievers do? Does that not mean they would be Satan’s children instead? “If
God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God;
neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech?
even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the
lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode
not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he
speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell
you the truth, ye believe me not” (John 8:42-45). Those who truly love
Jesus keep His commandments (John 14:15).
Both the believers in Philippi and the coverts in
Rome where equally “brethren” and “saints” in Paul’s eyes. From the
highest-ranking official to the lowest slave, each one was a child of God, “For
there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). This knowledge
should keep us from thinking that we are better than anyone else because we have
a higher social standing than them, for in reality we are all saved sinners. “For
I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to
think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans
12:3) … “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things,
but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Be of the
same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low
estate. Be not wise in your own conceits” (Romans 12:16). Social standing,
nationality, colour or gender are simply manmade devices that promote snobbery
rather than sainthood. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is
neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians
3:26-28). The Gospel of Christ links people together who would otherwise have no
other bond. There ought to be no cultural, economic or social barriers with the
family of God. The “grace” of God is for “all” who accept the “Lord
Jesus Christ”. We should be able to raise an ‘amen’ to this.
Conclusion
In many ways the Philippian church
is the model of a good congregation. It consisted of different kinds of people,
from all walks of life, who united together for the purpose of spreading the
word of God. They were not immune from conflict within or outside their
community, but they learned, through being willing to listen to sound doctrine,
to overcome and resolve any differences.
In this epistle we have read about humility,
self-sacrifice, unity, joy and other important truths beside these. Each one
reveals something about how we can live a successful Christian life as we grow
in maturity in Christ and His word. We are not left to “work out” the
Christian life all by ourselves (Philippians 2:12), instead we have the abiding
presence of God’s Holy Spirit enabling and empowering us. Paul’s own life is
a great example of what dedicated service for God is all about. We would do well
to follow his lead and aim to have the same spiritual understanding, concern and
compassion as the Philippian church did.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
© 2011