Philippians 2:17-18

Paul’s God given purpose in life brought him much pleasure. It gave him continuous cause for rejoicing even amongst his many trials and tribulations. This should be the case for every believer in Christ Jesus. To be sure, the safest and sweetest as well as the most rewarding and fulfilling place to be is smack dab in the center of God’s good, pleasing and perfect will. Believers are to be mature – perfected in Christ – assured of His way. To paraphrase what Amy Carmichael once wrote - we are not sure our way is right for everyone but we are sure it is right for us. Paul commends Epaphras’ earnest prayers for the saints in Colosse regarding this:

12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Col 4:12-13 (NIV)

Paul urges all believers in the book of Romans to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. This refers to the totality of one’s life and activities to be given for the One Who gave all for us. He also encourages us to continually renew our minds through God’s Word so that we may be able to test and approve what God’s will is for our lives:

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

“We sometimes seem to forget that what God takes He takes in fire; and that the only way to the resurrection life and the ascension mount is the way of the garden, the cross, and the grave. Think not, O soul of man, that Abraham’s was a unique and solitary experience. It is simply a specimen and pattern of God’s dealings with all souls who are prepared to obey Him at whatever cost. After thou hast patiently endured, thou shalt receive the promise. The moment of supreme sacrifice shall be the moment of supreme and rapturous blessing. God’s river, which is full of water, shall burst its banks, and pour upon thee a tide of wealth and grace. There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts down his foot he finds a rock beneath him.” F. B. Meyer

Paul was so confident of God’s direction of his mission that he could state his pleasure rather than his sorrow in being poured out like a drink offering from his sacrifice and service on behalf of the Philippians’ faith. The wording he used “poured out” is from the Greek word “spendomai” meaning a drink offering given as a sacrifice to God. The apostle used the same term in 2 Timothy when he wrote:

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Tim 4:6-8 (NIV)

“God will be our compensation for every sacrifice we have made.” F. B. Meyer

“We must remember that God will never drag us along the path of true-hearted discipleship. This would greatly lack the moral excellency which characterizes all the ways of God. He does not drag, but draws us along the path which leads to ineffable blessedness in Himself; and if we do see that it is for our real advantage to break through all the barriers of nature, in order to respond to Gods’ call, we forsake our own mercies. But alas! our hearts little enter into this. We begin to calculate about the sacrifices, the hindrances, and the difficulties, instead of bounding along the path, in eagerness of soul, as knowing and loving the One whose call has sounded in our ears”. C H Macintosh

“Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice; everything is lost by failure to obey God’s call.” Henry P. Liddon

Paul cared not what man thought about him nor did he dwell much on himself, for him, it was simply all about Jesus. His focus was fixed and unwavering. He also believed Christ was to be the source and focus of Christian unity – never flawed flesh. His accomplishments in preaching the Gospel was not based on human wisdom rather power given from above. The apostle was well aware that brilliant and persuasive arguments may win a man’s mind but not his heart. It was the Spirit of God which enabled his words to be effective. I am reminded of Paul’s piercing words to the Corinthians:

10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Cor 1:10-17 (NIV)

“If you know who you are in Christ, it won’t matter so much to you what other people think.” Joyce Meyer