The Book of Philippians and Gospel-Centered Transformation

Joy.

That’s it. 

Joy. 

That’s how the gospel shapes the way we live and serve and grow in Christ! 

The good news of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, ascension, and exultation infuses the transformed life with an utterly uncommon and distinct joy!

D.A. Carson says, “The Kingdom of God may be entered through suffering, but it is characterized by joy.” (Basics for Believers, pg. 131)  Oh yes it is!  And Paul makes quite the to-do about it.  Joy in this…  Rejoicing in that…  It is all over the pages, from start to finish, of this short letter to Christians in Philippi.  The light-handed press upon the reader’s conscience by the end of the book is, as well as the Kingdom being characterized by joy, so are the subjects of the King characterized by joy – you and me are shaped by a joy sown from the gospel and seeded deep within our live soul.

In Philippians 1:4 we find Paul’s prayers are prayed with joy.  And not just scattered prayers from time to time.  Paul is more total in his description:  “…in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all…” he prays with joy (vs. 3 & 4, emphasis mine).  Later Paul hopes Christian’s in Philippi will “complete [his] joy” (2:4, emphasis mine) in their obedience and unity, or single-mindedness.  Again, in 2:29, Paul is so richly encouraged by the gift of Epaphroditus he commends the “fellow worker and fellow soldier” (2:25) back to the Philippians, urging them to “welcome him [back] with Christian love and with great joy” (NLT, emphasis mine).

Indeed, it is my conviction that the gospel shapes the way I live and serve and grow in Christ by infusing this transformed life I live with a joy that was previously unknown to me, and certainly unknown to those who knew me.  Additional, I think Paul shows us by his life expression throughout the letter how joy then ignites our will and eagerness to heed the principles and practice through the disciplines of our faith in Christ Jesus; further compelling us to live and serve and grow, such that these principles and disciplines become less of an obligation and more of a gift. 

The first principle or discipline that springs up page after page is rejoicing; that is, an active and specific response of the joy within us.  I think it’s a discipline here because, at the end of it all, it is a choice we make.  Rejoicing emerges from sharing the gospel message (1:18), through suffering (1:18-19), in a faithful witness for Christ (2:17-18, the NLT resounds more fully here), by way of reminders and retellings of life changing truths (3:1 & 4:4), and in the simple confidence that these dear Christians whom Paul loves and longs for have deep concern for him (4:10).  Rejoicing shapes me by shifting my demeanor to one of gratitude and makes me all the more approachable by others. 

A second principle or discipline that shows up in Philippians, sparked by a will ignited by joy, is worship.  Carson says, “Worship is the consistent offering of all of one’s life and time and energy and body and resources to God; it is profound God-centeredness.” (Basics for Believers, pg. 97)  The gospel message subverts our will, instilling joy in glorifying the God of our salvation and the Lord Jesus Christ, where before there was scowling and scoffing, in all things.  Paul demonstrates this in his letter throughout.  In Philippians 1, Paul’s prayer for these dear Christians is all “to the glory and praise of God.” (vs. 11)  Later in the chapter Paul is eager to stick around, even though dying would mean great gain, that his friends might see in him an example that causes them to “glory in Christ Jesus” (vs. 26).  In chapter 3 Paul reminds his audience they are the truly redeemed who “worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus” (vs. 3).  And finally, the great crescendo of the letter, where the gospel has infused so great a joy and that joy has ignited so great a worship that Paul spews forth his benediction in 4:20:  “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. AMEN.”  Worship shapes me by drawing me out of my little myopic world into a grander world of wonder and grandeur. 

A third principle or discipline sparked by an eagerness ignited by joy is prayer.  Already I have mentioned Paul’s prayer made with joy above.  But the Philippians are praying as well.  So fervently, evidently, that Paul is convinced, through their prayers – along with the help of the Holy Spirit – all that which he has endured will result in deliverance (1:19).  Paul comes back to prayer later in chapter 4, verse 6 and 7.  He says to side step the worries of the world by instead announcing your requests to God with prayers laced with gratitude.  And the promise that ensues is peace, and I imagine Paul has in mind something more akin to a shalom, or wholeness.  This context has meant much to me over the years.  Prayer shapes me by quieting my soul before God, humbling me and placing me in right proximity to Him who can do far more than anything I might utter by request. 

A fourth principle or discipline that, when ignited by a deep seeded joy, shapes the lives we live is suffering for Jesus sake.  Curious, I suppose, to suggest this as a discipline.  It seems on some levels this is not a choice.  However, the choice is what we do with it all.  Do we point back to ourselves and wallow in self-pity and pain?  Or do we point to Jesus and rejoice that we are counted worthy?  For Paul, suffering produced an uncommon witness; an advance of the gospel.  His imprisonment had resulted in one guard after another hearing the truth about Jesus (1:13), and as word spreads beyond the prison itself, the other Christian brothers are emboldened in their faith to speak without fear and unashamed (1:14, 20).  I call this sowing Jesus, dropping His name into conversations and moments to spur on further conversations and moments.  Paul would say to us we “have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.” (1:29, NLT)  Suffering for Jesus sake shapes me by learning to rightly discern an assault on my faith and abhor sin all the more. 

A fifth principle or discipline that seems to flow naturally from the last one, and equally shapes the lives we live when ignited by joy is denying ourselves.  Here Carson says, “…mature Christian living is inextricably bound up with this attitude of self-sacrificial service offered up to God, not least in the promotion of the gospel and the good of other believers.” (Basics for Believers, pg. 99)  This was Paul’s whole point when he says “living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” (1:21, NLT)  Paul is willing to remain and offer up his life in service to the Philippians (1:24-26).  His commendation to the church was humbly consider others as more important and look after our interests with the effort we might look after our own (2:3-4).  His highest example is, of course, Christ Jesus and all which Paul so eloquently proclaims as true of Him in 2:6-11.  It is for Christ’s sake that Paul counted all that which might be gain for him as loss; even more, as “garbage” (NLT), only that he be found to be in Christ and robed in Christ’s righteousness (3:7-16).  Denying myself shapes me by stirring up in me a driving pursuit for deeper fellowship with Jesus and a full longing to know the power of His resurrection. 

Finally, among several others left unmentioned, a sixth principle or discipline that emerges from a life infused by the joy of the gospel is contentment.  The Apostle Paul lists out several situational generalities that would present his as either in need or not, but his resolve to be content no matter what (4:11-12) becomes a sort of closing encouragement for Christians in Philippi.  In fact, Paul makes it clear he is not seeking a gift to meet a need at all.  His hope would be to see the fruit of his ministry to these beautiful Philippians (4:17).  Just as, over the course of Paul’s seasons of ministry, the Lord supplied his every need, so will the Lord supply the needs of his audience (4:19).  And wonderfully, it is in this context we find the oft quoted text that Paul “can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens [him].” (4:13)  I catch then, that contentment shapes me by steadying my trust in God’s faithful provision and strengthening my resolve in all situations.

Carson says “your change in character, your united stand in defense of the gospel, your ability to withstand with meekness and without fear the opposition that you must endure, constitute a sign.” (Basics for Believers, pg. 68)  This sign reveals to the world around us that we are being transformed from the inside-out; shaped by a truth more true than any other.  And the whole of it is a process inaugurated and paced along toward completion by God (1:6) and for His “good pleasure.” (2:13)  And you and I, here in the daily now, we get to live a life of gladness and joy as we “shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life,” (2:15-16, NIV) who is Jesus Christ, the good news to the world.