Paul was in prison when he wrote to the church in Philippi. He was bound and guarded by the imperial guards because he was faithfully witnessing about the Lord Jesus Christ. His chains may have kept him from going one place to another freely, but it never bounded his heart and soul from rejoicing in his Savior who is also the Savior of all who believed in Philippi. Joy just flowed all throughout his letter-- and all because of Jesus Christ for whom he lost all things that he may gain him, the lover of his soul.
His joy in Christ flowed out and prevailed over his physical circumstances. It passed through God's faithful work in the Philippians, his imprisonment that eventually advanced the gospel and his honor-worthy co-workers Timothy and Epaphroditus. He prayed for them with joy and encouraged them to continue in following their Savior Jesus Christ, remembering and imitating the Lord's humility and perseverance. And he was joyful too for the love and support the church there was giving him.
He wanted to die and be with Christ. But because he knew he could still be used by the Lord for the Philippians' spiritual growth, he was willing to stay alive-- but even that is because he wanted Christ to be honored more and more in the Philippians' lives.
Today is Christmas day. May this short reflection bring believers' hearts back to the joy of knowing Jesus Christ whatever our present circumstances may be...
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained." (Php 3:13-16)
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