Skip to main content

Philippians 1:1(b): Servants of Christ Jesus


Philippians 1:1
[1] Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: (ESV)

Paul and Timothy. Apostle and his assistant. Pastors. Elders. Evangelists. These titles could appropriately apply to Paul and Timothy. Yet, what do they describe themselves as in this letter to the church at Philippi? Servants of Christ Jesus. It is heartening to realize that the Apostle Paul did not feel the need to pull rank on these believers. He and Timothy are servants.

How do you view yourself? If you were going to write a letter to a group of people what title would you claim? Do you like to be recognized as being an important leader in some field of industry? Maybe you are a CEO of a large corporation? Perhaps you are a custodian? Maybe just a simple "housewife?" A judge? Police Officer? No matter what you do you can be known as a servant.

Our flesh loves to get all kinds of accolades. We long to be noticed for how wonderful we are and for how much we have achieved. Often the ones who have a grand title are those who have worked very hard. That title means something because it was not easily attained. For the believer in Jesus Christ we realize that all of the work that God us to where we are in Christ Jesus was not done by us, but done FOR us.  Therefore, there are no grounds for boasting.

In this life you may achieve all kinds of things. The world might even attach titles to your name. Don't get hung up on titles. Rather, give yourself this title: servant. When you serve, you walk in the same steps as your master, Jesus. 

Matthew 20:28
[28] even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co