Cynthia Wier
Philippians 3:lb-11 (NIV)

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, in regard to the law, a Pharisee, as for zeal, persecuting the church, as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ —yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Reflection:
Do you remember when everyone wrote letters? Stayed in touch with each other by exchanging our news, our thoughts on paper. Whether it was a quick note to our parents when we were in college, or lengthy sharing of good times and bad. Excitement that we would see them in just a few weeks at Christmas. Or just giving the family a description of how classes were going, new friends that we had made. We told our loved ones what we were doing by taking pen to paper. 

I have boxes of letters from my mother and dad, best friends, aunts, and cousins. My father always typed his — not long three-page notations but filled with news from home, encouragement, love. My mother wrote in her beautiful handwriting style telling me who she had seen, what neighbors were up to, joy at hearing from me and my brother. I still have some of these epistles. They are interesting to reread —so many things I had forgotten. Tender communications from home. Surprisingly, I have some treasured letters from my grandmother and great aunts and even a precious few from my great grandmother to her daughter.

Finding out the news took longer then. In our quick world of emails and texts, it seems strange to know that in those early years, it took days to receive and return our letters.

Can you imagine communication between the early Christians? In Philippians we can learn much from Paul. He did not write Philippians in response to a crisis as he did with Galatians and Colossians. Instead he wrote to express his appreciation and affection for the Philippian believers in Christ there. More than any other church, the Philippian friends offered material support for his ministry.

Likely, of the four prison epistles, Paul wrote Philippians last, near the end of his Roman imprisonment in AD 61. He sent the other three — Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon by the hand of Tychicus as their destinations were near one another. Philippians, however, was to be delivered by Epaphroditus, who had come to Paul in Rome with financial help from the church in Philippi.

Paul was overjoyed at the mere thought of help from his friends. When he received the letter from the Philippians, he displayed a joy that he wanted the recipients to possess as well. His letter back to them was full of his contentment in service to Christ.

Paul’s own words ring with his hope for them to live in harmony with one another. “Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!”

As a young college student, I was always happy to receive a note from loved ones. Yes, it picked me up if I had an upcoming exam or project due. Then, I was eager to write back to them.

Paul poured out his heart to fellow believers in Christ urging them to respond in kind. In reading Paul’s letters of joy and love, he has written words that we can all apply to our lives today. Serving in teaching young children, keeping our close community in our prayers, taking food to those in need, reading and studying messages of joy as we study the Bible each day.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As I read from Paul’s journeys, direct me to go out and serve with joy. I can bring food to families who are without. I can donate clothing to children and their parents. I can pray together with my close community of believers. Let me find time to learn from Paul’s writings and select from the gifts I have been given to help those in my area who need not only food but friendship, encouragement, and love. I am thankful to all who serve with me. Let me be watchful for those in need in my neighborhood. I ask these things in Christ’s name. Amen.