Thankfulness and Prayer
- v6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
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Philippians 1:12-30 (The Message)
They Can't Imprison the Message
- v15 It's true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they'll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world.
- v18-21 So how am I to respond? I've decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!
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Philippians 1:27-30 (Amplified)
Striving and Suffering for Christ
- v27 Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side and contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel).
- v28 And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.
At the beginning, Paul talks about Christ constantly working in us, perfecting us to the day He returns. Which means that we will never be "perfect", so to speak. There will always be room for growth. But despite knowing that we are not "there" yet (ala being like Jesus), we continue to stand firm and not be afraid of our "opponents and adversaries", whether is it people coming against us because of the gospel, or colleagues/friends at work/school, or even work/stress itself. For if we the more we stand firm, it is a clear sign, proof and seal that God will see to their destruction and our our victory. Come to think of it, what makes you think those who come against us are better than us (and both sides are not "perfect"!) anyway?
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