TUESDAY November 2, 2021

A Letter of Encouragement

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:1-2

While in prison in Rome, Paul wrote the book of Philippians. It was not written as a doctrinal book, but a very practical book. Philippians is the only New Testament book that does not give reference to the Old Testament Scriptures. It is a book of joy, love and rejoicing in the Lord.

Paul’s primary purpose in writing the book was to thank the Philippians for the gift they gave to him. He was in Rome and he had no money, but the Philippians supplied money to him for seven years. They loved him for what he did for the Church. How many people are thanking the Church and their teachers or whoever else may have helped them in the Lord?

Paul wrote to report to the Philippians of his circumstances (Philippians 4:10-19). Then he encouraged them to stand firm in the face of persecution and rejoice regardless of their circumstances. Persecution was coming against the church. Are we there today? I think so! We are coming to a time of persecution.

The city of Philippi was named after King Philip II of Macedon. He was the father of a very famous military leader––Alexander the Great. It was a prosperous Roman colony which means the citizens of Philippi were also regarded as citizens of the city of Rome itself. Many Philippians were retired military men who had been given land in the vicinity and in turn served as a military presence in this frontier colony.

The people prided themselves on being Romans, dressed like Romans and often spoke Latin. No doubt this was the background to Paul’s reference to a Christian’s heavenly citizenship: For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body... (Philippians 3:20-21).

Christians have a dual citizenship on earth and in heaven––our citizenship in heaven ought to make us better people here on earth.
~Warren W. Wiersbe~

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