Philippians 4:10-13 Don't Shadow Box--Fight the Good Fight!

Philippians 4:10-13  I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.  Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  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.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Paul was content in whatever state he found himself because his deeds for Christ were more important than his mind's disposition or the physical circumstances of the flesh.  He was actively living out a life of faith, relying upon the Lord as his strength.  As James tells us: As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.  (James 2:26)   We know by our Bible reading, Paul's deeds were many.  He was not a shadow boxer, fanning the air for no reason other than practice for the real event.  No, he was constantly in the ring fighting for Christ, for real life issues, not just this biological existence.  Therefore, his concerns about the body's needs were put on the back burner.  Notice, when he talks about deprivation, he is not talking about things that are not essential for existence.  He is talking about food, about whether his body has enough to eat or whether he is hungry.  I am sure he is also talking about shelter, whether he has a place to live this day, tomorrow, the next month, the next year.  He was always on the move, with no real certainty about the future and its provisions.  Of course, for the present he was writing to the Philippians from a place of imprisonment, but his concerns even in jail were not for his personal needs, but for the needs of others.  As we read last week, even in prison Paul encourages these believers to rejoice in the Lord and to set their minds on good things: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.  (Philippians 4:8)

Paul, as well as the other apostles, had little tolerance for those who allowed the flesh to dictate the way they thought and lived.  They were people of the Light, of THE WAY.  They talked about salvation, eternal life, and a better way to live.  They set an example for believers and unbelievers by living a life of love, loving others as you love yourself.  They gave grace, rather than judgment.  They became servants to all instead of demanding their will.  They considered the needs of others before their own needs.  The writer of Hebrews encourages Christians to care for others as they continue their walk of faith: Dear friends, we are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.  For God is not unfair.  He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians, as you still do.  Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.  Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent.  Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience.  (Hebrews 6:9-12,14)  Paul and the apostles were willing to live this life of love as they cared for other Christians as long as life lasts.  This is why they were not concerned primarily about the needs of the flesh.  Their eyes were focused heavenward as they listened to the Spirit and performed the works of God.  They had work to do for God; this was their purpose for living.  As we look at their lives, we know we have work to do.  Our lives should not to be devoted to the mundane things of life or as Paul said, If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”  (1 Corinthians 15:32)  If Christ did not die and rise again; if He did not win the victory over sin and death to bring us into the kingdom of God, Paul was without hope.  But we know that his life was not like that.  Paul was alive in Christ, and he had work to do for the kingdom of God.

What is our work for God today?  What has God called us to do through his mighty power?  Each of us has a purpose that goes beyond merely living this biological life.  We are members of the body of Christ, capsules of his divine light.  People should see this light radiating in our dark world.  This light will shine best when our attitude reflects the image of God as we work for him.  First and foremost, we should display the fruit of the Spirit.  For sure we should display God's unconditional love.  People should see how much we love the brethren and others.  John says, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  (1 John 1:7)  The verb tense in this instance means his blood cleansed us yesterday, it is cleansing us today, and it will cleanse us tomorrow.  This is the total and complete efficacy of the shed blood of Christ our Lord.  Because we are cleansed and walk in this light, we will keep on loving others as long as life lasts.   John also says if we claim to be in the light but hate others, we are still in darkness.  Paul knew an active faith of loving and caring for others is one that God would bless.  An active faith, operating through his body the church, reveals God on Earth, his concern for the world and for the salvation of all people.  Abraham is an example of this kind of faith.  He put his faith in action by moving to another land, by willingly offering up Isaac as a sacrifice.  Abraham believed God.  We too should believe God by working for him, by displaying his image of love to the world.  Abraham's life was the example of true faith, trusting when we do not see the fulfillment of the promise.  As the writer of Hebrews says, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience.  The promise to Abraham is also ours: I will certainly bless you richly. . . Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.  (Hebrews 6:12,14-15 NLT)  Are you willing to live out this life for God, as Paul lived his life, being content in every situation you find yourself, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Always remember Paul's dependency upon the Lord as he did the work God called him to do: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.