is characterized by confidence in God. We will learn more about rejoicing later in the letter (Philippians 3:1, 4:4) but it seems to be an inner peace and hope through difficult circumstances. God is personally ministering to him through the Holy Spirit in the form of comfort and courage to stand up and speak the truth. Paul believes that the prayers of the Philippians on his behalf are actively beneficial. Paul is so confident that he will be with Christ after death that he looks forward to it. He is torn by his love for the people and his longing to see Christ face to face. This certainty that Paul has is available to us when we realized that our salvation is not based on our own work but on what Christ has done for us. Because of that, it is secure. We are in right standing or before God for all eternity. That fact, when “righteous” internalized, is life changing. We live in continuous gratefulness and do not fear death. Philippians 1:27-2:13 Selfless Living – Our conduct is shaped by the fact that because of Christ, we have entered a new relationship with God. We become his children and we begin to emulate Jesus as a natural part of that relationship. This includes not being afraid of opposition and suffering. This relationship with God will also affect our relationship with other people as well. We will begin to do things less and less out of selfish motives or conceit” and more and more out “vain of of others as better than ourselves.” This attitude “thinking will bring unity. Note that it does not say we do not look out for our interest. Christ is our example of selflessness. Note that Christ did not equality” with God which is the direct opposite of Adam “grasp and Eve. Christ made right what was broken in the Fall described in Genesis 2-3. Christ died on the cross and
is characterized by confidence in God. We will learn more about rejoicing later in the letter (Philippians 3:1, 4:4) but it seems to be an inner peace and hope through difficult circumstances. God is personally ministering to him through the Holy Spirit in the form of comfort and courage to stand up and speak the truth. Paul believes that the prayers of the Philippians on his behalf are actively beneficial. Paul is so confident that he will be with Christ after death that he looks forward to it. He is torn by his love for the people and his longing to see Christ face to face. This certainty that Paul has is available to us when we realized that our salvation is not based on our own work but on what Christ has done for us. Because of that, it is secure. We are in right standing or “righteous” before God for all eternity. That fact, when internalized, is life changing. We live in continuous gratefulness and do not fear death. Philippians 1:27-2:13 – Selfless Living Our conduct is shaped by the fact that because of Christ, we have entered a new relationship with God. We become his children and we begin to emulate Jesus as a natural part of that relationship. This includes not being afraid of opposition and suffering. This relationship with God will also affect our relationship with other people as well. We will begin to do things less and less out of selfish motives or “vain conceit” and more and more out of “thinking of others as better than ourselves.” This attitude will bring unity. Note that it does not say we do not look out for our interest. Christ is our example of selflessness. Note that Christ did not “grasp equality” with God which is the direct opposite of Adam and Eve. Christ made right what was broken in the Fall described in Genesis 2-3. Christ died on the cross and