Verse 8: Paul recognized that God would finish the salvation of the Philippians because they confirmed and defended the gospel. The gospel is nothing more than one sentence. The gospel is this: Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. Paul gives the biblical definition of the gospel in 1st Corinthians 15. Simple trust in this gospel-sentence is all that’s required of us, it is the only work of God. Do you defend and confirm this in your heart? Then you too can claim the promise of finished salvation. If you don’t, if you add religion or human effort, or if you forget the gospel, then you cannot claim the promise. God was witness of how Paul longed for the Philippians, not with his longing, but with the longing of Jesus Christ. Jesus selected Paul to publish the gospel and to preach it to every creature under heaven. You can find the good news in his letters. Jesus also put His own special love in Paul’s heart for those who received the gospel. Jesus, through Paul, pursued the churches with love and wholesome desire. Jesus put these feelings in Paul so that Paul would establish the churches in his unique grace message. Paul got really mad when someone came in and disturbed the peace of the simple believers with works. Even the apostle Peter received the strong rebuke of Paul in Galatians chapter 2. But conversely, Paul felt a deep joy when the believers trusted only in Jesus. Ever get that happy, jumpy feeling in your stomach when something wonderful is about to happen? That’s how Jesus feels when you believe in Him as your Savior. Believe in Jesus and make His heart happy, not to mention your own unending soul. Verse 9:
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 14:06:36 +0000
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