Navigating Your Destiny Through The Bible: PHILIPPIANS – The Story Behind The Story…What You’ll Miss Without It!
In our hectic multi-tasking world, it’s easy to quickly grab a scripture that sounds good and quote it without realizing the drama that lies behind that passage. But without careful research, the pathos of human suffering that surrounds why a passage was written can be overlooked. In addition, the depth of what it meant to the writer and its recipients can be lost. Here’s what I’m talking about:
Confined by Rome as a prisoner of the state, the aging apostle picked up his pen and began to write. Not certain of his fate, Paul wrote, “Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philip. 1:20-21). He who had given his life for the Gospel was ready to die for the faith. Yet, in this gentle letter to the Philippian church that he had planted 10 years prior, his desire was to commend and encourage them, not himself. Who among us would have been as totally selfless as this great giant of the Christian Faith? Now, let’s look at the behind-the-scene stories that surround some of our familiar passages.
1. “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philip. 1:6). Sounds encouraging, doesn’t it? But what you may not realize is that while Paul was imprisoned, other Christian Preachers were dancing on his grave! (Philip. 1:15-17). Yet in spite of this deplorable reality, Paul rejoiced that, regardless of evil motives, the Gospel was being preached (Philip. 1:12, 18). Paul was convinced that God really does work all things together for good.
2. “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philip. 2:12-13). This describes the anxiety a person rightly has when he distrusts his own ability to meet the requirements of salvation, even though he tries. What we forget is that Paul’s messenger, Epaphroditus, risked his life and nearly died in his journey to encourage the church with the message of Christ (Philip. 2:25-30). What was the message worth dying for? God helps you to do what pleases Him…even when you can’t.
3. “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philip. 3:13-14). Many use this passage as encouragement when starting over from a failure. But that wasn’t Paul’s point. He tenaciously fought against religious leaders who drew Christians into Jewish Law requiring circumcision for salvation (Philip. 3:2). Paul left behind his confidence in keeping the Law in order to receive True Righteousness that comes only from Christ!
4. “Be anxious for nothing… I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am…I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philip. 4:6, 11, 13). Oh how casually we use these scriptures to refer to “inconvenient” tasks that we have to endure. But here’s the real drama: Paul wrote this comforting chapter knowing that at any moment he may be beheaded! Paul’s sufferings were beyond our wildest imagination (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Yet the earnest desire of his apostolic heart was to encourage and comfort others. What a Giant in the Christian Faith!
So what am I saying? The Bible tells us stories of real human beings who laughed, cried, loved, suffered and died…just like you and me. So take some time out of your busy schedule to discover the “Story Behind Their Story.” When you do, the passage you read will grip your soul and help you to properly apply its meaning to your own life. Now, read the Paul’s letter to the Philippians one more time (it’s only 4 chapters). This time get inside the hearts of those who gave their lives so you can have the Bible.
Dan Rhodes
