The Writings of Philippians

When do you feel most happy? Is it when you receive a nice gift from someone? Perhaps it is when you are enjoying a celebration or a meal with family and friends? Maybe it is when you are doing well financially and can afford to buy something new. These are all good things and should be enjoyed. But what happens when someone robs you? Or when you are separated from your family and friends? Or when you have no money at all, not even enough to buy food for yourself or your family? Or worse still, what if you were imprisoned and facing death!? Would you be happy then? 

Paul is living in harsh conditions. He is locked in a Roman prison, wondering each day if he will be executed. He knows there are many Christians living in harsh conditions. But for Paul, the harsh conditions don’t change his joy and faith. These hardships don’t stop him from living fully for God. Paul knows he has discovered a secret. He has learned something that many people don’t know. Paul had discovered the secret to living a joyful and grateful life in all situations - a discovery that people have been seeking for thousands of years and still seek today. This is a secret that must be shared. So he sits down to write a letter. 

The church in Philippi was perhaps the first church Paul ever started. The people there were some of Paul’s best friends in the world. Hearing that he was in prison they sent one of their church members to Rome with a gift for Paul, to help him in prison. Paul was so grateful for their sacrifice yet he didn’t want them to misunderstand his situation. He was not depressed. He was not needy. So he sent this letter back to thank them but to teach them. How do you say “thank you” for a gift while at the same time teach people that you don’t need anything. How would Paul’s friends respond to his letter? Would they be offended? As Paul sits down to write, he decides to be as honest as possible, using his situation to teach them about being content in the Lord. He writes how being content changes everything about how you live life. You no longer grumble or argue. You pursuit Christ and His example. You put others first. You pray gratefully. All of this happens because you don’t need anything, because you have Jesus. As Paul had discovered, living life in this way is both pleasing to God and brings joy. 

Imagine a group of Christians huddled in a home, unwrapping this letter, eager to read what Paul had written to them. What relief and happiness they must have felt that their friend in jail was still alive. What amazement they must have felt that Paul, while persecuted and facing death, seemed happier and more content than they were. Paul’s letter is a very personal letter. We get to look into a private correspondence. But it is made public for all the church to discover true joy and happiness regardless of any life situation you are facing.