CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE IN CHRIST MINISTRIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY ON YOUTUBE
Philippians 1:1-2
In Philippians 1:1-2 is the greeting from Paul and Timothy to the church in Philippi. Paul and Timothy refer to themselves as “bondservants of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:1a, NKJV) and are to be known as willing and faithful servants with joy in the work they do for Christ Jesus in sharing the message of the gospel. They have taken their mission to heart and their desire is to follow God’s will for their lives as everything they do is “bound” to God through Christ Jesus and His Holy Spirit working in their lives.
It is important to realize and understand that this letter is written, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” (Philippians 1:1b). The information in this letter is intended to aid those who are actively seeking salvation in Christ Jesus and to grow in that relationship as a Christian. It is also important to realize and understand that as this letter is written to the Christians at Philippi, this information can also be useful in leading the unsaved, with sincere repentant hearts, to Jesus to begin a new relationship with Him and utilize this information to grow in that relationship.
This is a promise that what is to come in this letter to the church at Philippi is important guidance in growing in our relationship with God through our salvation in Christ Jesus.
This is an example of hearts that are willingly “bound” to Jesus in seeking His will for our lives.
The Bible teaches us in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” The lessons that Paul wrote to the church at Philippi are intended for those who, as is stated in John 3:16, “believe” in Him – that is, Jesus. These lessons will be hard to grasp or understand for those who disregard salvation in Christ Jesus.
As we begin these lessons in the book of Philippians, we must acknowledge our dependence to Jesus as our Savior. He teaches us in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Once we have opened our eyes, hearts, minds, and souls to receive Jesus to be our guide to life through His Holy Spirit working and living within us, we will begin to understand, learn, and grow in that relationship with Him. The Bible teaches us in James 4:7-10 that we should submit our lives to God and resist the devil. If we do, the devil will flee from us. That if we draw ourselves near to God, then He will see our sincerity to Him, and He will draw near to us. If we will humble ourselves to God in realizing our need for Him in our lives, He will lift us up; He will give us strength to overcome the wiles of the devil and the ways of this world. These things are reinforced in 1 Peter 5:6-11. It all begins with our submission to God – to Christ Jesus and realizing our need and dependency for Him.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to realize and understand that the teachings found in the Bible, and as specifically noted in the book of Philippians, are to help those who believe in You, who have opened their hearts to receive Your Holy Spirit to lead us and teach us as is promised in John 14:15-18, 26. And LORD, please help all who read this that have not submitted their lives to You in Christ Jesus to do so that they too may join as a newly found child of God and begin learning and growing in their life and relationship with You – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.