A reflection on Philippians
By Diane Ruddock
Paul’s epistle to the Philippians is often referred to as his ‘letter of joy’. He wrote it while he was in prison in Rome, where he more than likely facing death. Yet, in each chapter he found reasons to be joyful.
He contrasts the world’s view of joy with God’s perspective. My Life Application Study Bible explains: ‘True joy is deep and strong, not superficial. It is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives – that he will be there no matter what! Our happiness should not depend on what happens TO us but on what happens IN us – the transformation that takes place when we put our trust in Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit comes to live in us, giving us God’s perspective on life’.
One of Paul’s greatest sources of joy was ‘joy in believing’ and he was filled with an insatiable desire to get to know Jesus Christ better. He writes in Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...
In verses 10-11 he adds:
I want to KNOW Christ – yes to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so…attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Paul is saying that all the successes and status he enjoyed before he came to know Jesus no longer matter. What matters now is living a new life in Jesus, confident that because Jesus rose from the dead, he too will enjoy eternal life. Paul says he hasn’t yet reached the goal of fully knowing Jesus – like us, he is a work in progress. But he says in verse 12:
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Paul presses on towards salvation – but notice that he realises that Jesus took hold of him first. And it is the same for us: Jesus has taken hold of each one of us, in order to give us his gift of salvation. That is indeed a reason for joy – let us embrace the week ahead knowing that Jesus holds us tight!
I love the imagery in verses 13 and 14:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Leaving all the burdens of past sins behind, Paul is like an athlete leaning forward, chest straining, arms pumping, stretching every inch of his body to reach the finishing line and to win the prize of knowing Jesus better and ultimately enjoying eternal life with Him.
Much as I love these verses, they also challenge me. Am I really pressing on, really straining and stretching myself to get to know Jesus better? Are my eyes totally fixed on ‘the prize for which God has called me’? Or…have I become distracted or complacent?
So my prayer for this week will be:
Loving Lord Jesus, thank you for the joy of knowing you. Thank you for taking hold of me. Would you now help me to forget what is behind, to strain toward you and to press on with all my heart and mind toward the goal of knowing you more deeply, serving you better and winning the prize of heaven. Amen
May you find much joy in the Lord as you press on this week.
Diane