To Shine Like Stars – Paul and the Philippians

Currently Listening To – David Crowder – Stars

Philippians is a letter written to the church in Philipi by Paul while he was in jail toward the end of his life.

Who is Paul:

Paul is a converted Pharisee, a scholar in the Jewish scripture; yet no where in Philippians does Paul quote the Old Testament which is rather strange to me since he is a scholar. I think this may be because his church in Philipi was nearly all non-Jew; therefore they are unfamiliar with Jewish scripture.

Time line of Paul:

AD 50 – Paul starts church in Philipi, during 2nd missionary trip

AD 60 – Paul writes Philippians, during Rome imprisonment

Why the Letter?

As I read through Philippians I noticed Paul does strange things in jail. When Paul sat in a Philippians jail, the year he found the church in that city, he sang hymns (Acts 16:25). Now, as I read through Philippians, as he sits in some other jail and writes to his beloved Philippians, he speaks of happiness.

He says he’s happy that he has such caring friends. He’s even happy that he’s suffering for Christ because his suffering has inspired other Christians to preach more boldly. And he says if need be, he will be happy to die because he will go to be with Christ, which is a much better place than where he is now.

As Paul faces death and ponders his mortality, his thoughts are drawn to the source of immortality. Paul says this: “To me the only important thing about living is Christ, and dying would be profit for me.” (1:21 NCV)

Paul wants the Philippians to experience this same peaceful joy when they reflect on their lives. So Paul say this to his people in his letter: “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose…so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out[c] the word of life.” (2:12-13, 15-16 NIV)

Favorite Verse (in which I live by) :

“So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.” (1.9-11 The Message // Remix)