Chapter 1, Verse 30 “…engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”
The Philippians had stood by Paul through his personal conflict in sharing the gospel. The church was now facing the same adversaries as Paul. No doubt, the Jews who followed Paul with the purpose of stopping his work now found additional targets in the Philippian brethren. The Christians in Philippi stood against the government of Rome, and the local pagan leaders. Paul knew they would get no peace. He did not offer deliverance from this conflict nor any hope that it would desist.
Paul does offer them hope, however. Their suffering is not being unnoticed. God will reward them for their stand against these awful trials. Paul reminds them, and us, that faithful service to God has an eternal reward which cannot be taken away. The joys of heaven far outweigh the troubles of earth. Paul is aware that the Philippian church has encouraged him and he wants to return the blessing.
Task for Today: If you see a fellow Christian struggling against worldly conflict be a Paul or a Philippian and rush to their side and hold up their arms. All of us in the body of Christ fight the same enemy and live in the same danger zone. Arm yourself and defend others.
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