acts 16:6-15
(all quotes from the NET Bible translation)
early on in college, i took a trip to europe. our group followed roughly the path that paul “the missionary formerly known as saul” (see, i made a bible joke! i love bible jokes…) took on his second missionary journey. after receiving his calling to enter macedonia, which could be a whole thirsty thursday post in itself, his first stop (aside from the port-town of neapolis) was philippi. the town holds special significance in my own spiritual journey.
i don’t think it’s by chance that paul uses some specific terms in addressing the church in philippi: “because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now” (philippians 1:5, emphasis added). these were some of the first believers that paul encountered in macedonia!
it seems the focus of the letter is how to “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (philippians 1:17a) like it or not, behavior is central to a Christian lifestyle. like it or not, i am held accountable to this standard of being worthy or unworthy of the very message i proclaim.
honestly, paul was a skilled wordsmith, and i can’t think of anything i want to add to the passage that really comes off the page at me today as a severe challenge:
“finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. and what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. and the God of peace will be with you.” (philippians 4:8-9)
what about you? is there a passage in philippians that stands out to you this week? any area in which you think God might be challenging you?
