My dear readers,

(Extract from RPG, January 1987, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. A GOOD WORK WILL BE PERFECTED (Philippians 1:6-11)

Some newly baptized believer, especially the one meeting opposition at home, may doubt whether his faith will survive. In fact, even older believers subjected to pressures and temptations may wonder if they will remain faithful to the end. The Philippian Christians had begun well and were holding on. Paul was confident that they would complete their course, as he says in verse 6: "....he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Paul's confidence in the Philippians is something all Christians may find encouragement from. If you have on occasions doubted your own eternal security, doubt no more! Rather, put your confidence in the Lord. Let us enumerate the grounds for confidence:

1. It is a good work begun by God. Our salvation is not our own effort. We could not begin it ourselves, no more than a dead man can raise himself to life. It is God who quickened us from the dead (Eph 2:1) and began a "good work" in us, setting us on a new course.

The good work is built upon the Rock, Jesus Christ and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Our Lord says of His own: “... I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father ...is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (Jn 10:28,29)

2. God will never forsake His own. He who began the good work also undertakes to finish it. He will see it through to ultimate perfection. He will perfect and crown the work of His own hands. But the work of grace will not be finished now. We must persevere, nevertheless, and let God continue to exercise His grace over us, until the day of Jesus Christ, the day of His appearing.

Every truly born-again believer should have this same confidence. Our assurance is based, not on speculation, but on the sure promise of God's word.

QUESTION: Where is your confidence? In your pastor, elder, church, yourself?
PRAYER: Lord, give me a steadfast faith to persevere to the end.

2. PAUL'S PASTORAL PRAYER (Philippians 1:9-11)

Paul's prayer for the Philippians makes a model prayer for all of us. Not for any earthly possession or personal advantage, but the prayer is for things excellent and glorifying to God. How different and unworthy are some Christians' prayers! Does it explain why some of your prayers are not answered? The Apostle James says: "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss ..." (James 4:3). Now observe what Paul prayed for.

1. .... that your love may abound (v9)
This is not sentimental or romantic love that the world raves about, but pure, unselfish Calvary love, a primary Christian grace. Paul prays that the Philippian believers might increase in such love toward God and toward one another. This love must be "in knowledge and judgment." i.e. with discernment, without which Christian love may be misapplied. "Misty thought, emotional conduct, and indiscriminate good nature are perilous." (Plummer)

2. ... that ye approve things excellent (v10)
Christians must be knowledgeable, judicious and discerning. Not everything labelled "Christian" today is to be approved. Counterfeits and imitations abound. Christians must be awake and alert to deceptions which threaten the survival of the church today, as it did in Paul's day. Eternal vigilance is the price which Christians must pay in every generation, but it is worth it. Without it, the peace and harmony of the church, and the very faith of the believers will be undermined.

3. ... that ye may be sincere (v10)
The believers' conduct and interpersonal relationships must be considered in the light of our Lord's imminent return. Ethics must not be related to time and circumstances around us, but rather to the approaching End. Our present conduct must be given an "eternal dimension." If we live in the "moment by moment" expectation of our Lord's return, then we will most gladly be "sincere and without offence" meaning to say "pure and spotless."

QUESTION: Reader, will you make Paul's prayer your own?
KEYNOTE: Inwardly a "pure heart" means outwardly a "harmless walk."

3. SUFFERING ADVANCES GOSPEL (Philippians 1:12-20)

What good to God's work could possibly come out of His servant's imprisonment? Can God work good out of evil? The answer to these questions is without doubt an emphatic and absolute yes, although it may not be immediately apparent.

Paul wrote from prison in Rome, "But I would ye should understand." He wanted the Philippians to know that, far from hindering the Gospel, his imprisonment had rather promoted its advancement. His personal suffering was of little consequence, but Paul's chief concern was for the cause for Jesus Christ his Lord. His going to prison turned out to be a means of promoting the Gospel.

The fact of Paul's innocence from any crime worthy of imprisonment became a hot topic of conversation both in the palace (where he was held prisoner) and outside. Soon it became widely known that Paul was no common criminal but a servant of the Lord, incarcerated on account of his faith. As a prisoner, he came into contact with soldiers of the imperial guard, some of whom appeared to have been converted. (Phil 4:22) Prison bars can shut the prisoner in, but cannot shut his mouth from witnessing! Neither can they shut the Gospel out!

Paul's boldness in prison caused many believers in Rome to pluck up courage and speak for the Lord without fear. Some of these in the church Philippi had done so out of ill-will toward Paul, supposing that their action would somehow add to his distress in prison, but there were also genuine men who preached Christ out of pure motives. What effect had this on the Apostle? Nothing adverse! As far as Paul was concerned, the Gospel had gone forward and for this he rejoiced!

What does it matter what others think (falsely) of you, as long as you are beyond reproach and the Word of God is being proclaimed far and wide? Our chief concern is to live pure lives, to rise above circumstances and to give the Lord's work first priority in our lives.

QUESTION: Do you truly rejoice when the Word of God is proclaimed?
PRAYER: Lord, may You always be magnified in my body.

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor