Some don't believe in God.  Some whom do even struggle.   We are in this struggle together (Philippians 1:30)  What did Jesus say to say?  He said to say the things He said and speak as He does.  How do we follow Jesus properly...? Some of the answers are found in the text of the epistle of the Philippians much more than it seems.  From off the hip, I can establish that Paul's concern for the Philippians people was deep and long lived as he ministered to them and loved them very much.  His Epistle gives instructions of joy, prayer, motivation, prayer, thought life, and more.  The beginning verses in the first chapter in verse nine implicate a growing love that abounds and abounds more in depth of insight and knowledge of the people and God.

        One thing that Paul told us was that, "It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.  This verse parallels to the beginning of the second chapter, "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

         This is good to see a reiteration of love and deep seated compassion for each other in God's household.  After Paul defends the gospel recognizing the motives of pure preachers to selfish and ambitious preachers; He starts to point out the reason for life as a Christian, which is to look not on your own interests but others, too.  The way that He describes Jesus after this is the ultimate way of life that required that of Jesus's life to be obedient to God and to be fully given to God's purposes.  The unity in Christ, the love of God, and the way that he signifies the allegiance to Christ are all spoken of in Philippians.  Then He describes again the essence of behavior which involves dependence on God through prayer, not arguing and complaining, and being blameless before God.  These require much interactive thought and hard work to achieve these character traits through Jesus Christ.  In the second chapter, He requires them to obey, live by the power of God by how He supplies us the strength to do so, and treat other's like Jesus would.  Then he tells them of Timothy and Epaphroditus, whom worked with him and better yet were family and fellow soldiers with him.  The key words are that he worked with them for the people.  The phrase, "So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him"  The man Epaphroditus sacrificed almost until his life was gone for the gospel, and we should remember Jesus did this for us and there's people that do the same nowadays from by belief.  For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3-4)  Paul sets what I feel is the ultimate example of a changed life and why to have faith in God only, not our flesh.  "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6)  {The concept of flesh is prominent in the Pauline epistles. In general, when Paul refers to the flesh, he is referring to “the whole of man’s physical existence” (TDNT, VII:125). This not only includes the tissue that makes up the body, but also a person’s mental capacities, inner anxieties, and physical strength. For Paul, the term flesh “describes earthly life in its totality” (TDNT, VII:126).

The apostle was really sent from God to these people who encouraged their faith and instructed them.   He explains who he was and how his change and the meaning of Christ in his life was so strong.  Shortly after Paul explains the famous verse "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Paul had a lot to forget in his life that was mostly a burden to his etched account on earth and his memory.  The Philippians trusted Paul as you can see and here he gives them a lot of bullet point instructions that constitute doctrine and the teaching of Jesus.  He didn't consider that being lawful was as important as faith, which is explained here "not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  Paul tells us also the meat of the life of the mature believers in this phrase " All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. (Phil 3:15)  And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained."   He tells us this about attainment, and I often wonder what it was in respect to.  Does this mean they obtained a similar walk?  Does this mean that their character fruits and their faith was attained through hard work?  I believe it had to do with work as well as faith.  Not to let it linger, answers mixed in with faith in the mystery was the bold in between lines facts of folks that were complete and mature before God really living it out.  They most likely were loving, honorable, faithful, and had great character.  Paul had a pull towards these people in his letter and seemed to need to correct them in several points.  " Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Here he exhibits leadership in joy, gentleness, prayer, non-worrisome life and peace.  These are the character fruits of the followers then and nowadays.   Then, Paul gives the key to contentment " ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  These words seem to mystify us in how simple they are and they really are simple that his state of well being was centered on drawing on Christ's strength.  The conclusion of the matter was a strong letter to the people there that needed encouragement, lessons, and instructions and not to mention his state of mind and heart in his struggle while in prison.  The idea of the letter every time I read it is sprinkled with glimpses of heaven and how to apply that here on earth in gentleness, love, and peace.  That is my final two cents on the letter and I hope you enjoy.  

 

continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phillipians 2:12)

 

Phillipians sets one character platform building epistle i to people's hearts.  Paul is asking them to be strong, be for God, and to excercise joy in all circumstances.  Theres several points on joy that center around the hope we have and will have at the second coming.  Ultimate joy comes from being in Christ, as well as you been happy about Him coming back.  He is the light of the world as we are in Him.