So much of life is spent listening to words that are not loving or encouraging. We live in a society where everyone wants to be heard and most of the time the words are of a negative nature. Sometimes even friends and family say things that are hurtful or discouraging. While Paul was a “matter of fact,” serious kind of guy most of the time, he managed to take the time to administer encouraging words that came from a loving friend.
In Philippians chapter 1, he addresses them as “saints in Christ Jesus.” By calling them saints he acknowledges they are set apart for the cause of Christ. His greeting extends his desire for them to have grace and peace from God.
Philippians 1:1-2 “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul continues with thanksgiving for the memories he has of them. Note that he says “every remembrance” of them. How many people do you know that you are thankful for every memory of them? I’m sure Paul had some times with them that were not great times, but he understands that true joy is not based on circumstances, but on our relationship with Christ, the true giver of joy. Paul was truly tapped into the source of real joy. He was in a Roman prison, on house arrest, with a Roman guard chained to him 24 hours a day. Did he use this time to grumble, complain, or feel sorry for himself? No! He chose to allow the joy of Christ that lived in him to rule his spirit. He saw this as an opportunity to write to those he had won to the Lord, and to churches he had established. Knowing the character of Paul, I’m sure he witnessed to each and every guard that was chained to him. History tells us that the guard was changed every 6 hours. That would be four different guards in a 24-hour period. I wish we had all of those conversations recorded. I can only imagine how they went.
In verse 4, he reminds them that he prayed for them, and it was a joy to make requests for them. The best we can ever do for our friends is to pray for them. Nothing can meet their needs both spiritually, and physically like God can. Paul says he mentioned them in every prayer, and it was with joy that he did it. He didn’t just pray because they ask him to, or pray because he knew they had a need. He prayed because they were always on his heart. He was a loving friend, and he desired the best from God for them.
Philippians 1:3-4 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy”
Paul is thankful for their fellowship with him. Like any loving friend, they had extended comfort and provisions to Paul. He is sincerely grateful to them because they have been faithful from the beginning of their walk with the Lord. If a person truly gives their life to Jesus, they will always have a place in their heart for the one who led them to Jesus. He is thankful for their fellowship. They too are loving friends to him. He is confident they will continue in the truths he has taught them.
Philippians 1:5-6 “For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
A loving friend wants the best for you. The best for any of us is Jesus! Paul took the gospel to them but didn’t leave them without hope. He taught them in the scriptures. He helped them establish a church where they would have Christian fellowship in his absence. Those he bonded with spiritually also became loving friends to him. He had many in Philippi that was dear to him. It was Lydia that he first shared the gospel with, and she was converted. In Philippi, Paul cast the demon from the young girl. It was at Philippi he witnessed to the jailer and won him and his family to the Lord. You can read all of these accounts in Acts chapter 16. By the time he wrote Philippians, Paul had known some of the church members for about 10 years. Even though he was in prison he sought to encourage them.
Act 16:14-15 “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”
As a loving friend, Paul told them the truth about Jesus. He prayed for them. He sent words of encouragement, and he was very thankful to them. Each of us needs friends like Paul, but we also need to be that kind of friend. Are you seeking to be that kind of friend?
