Unlikely Leaders

To the Philippians: How to Reach Perfection

The church at Philippi had sent gifts to Paul by Epaphroditus, whom Paul calls “my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier.” While in Rome, Epaphroditus was sick, “almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” The believers at Philippi were deeply concerned about Epaphroditus, and he decided to return to them. “He was longing for you all,” Paul wrote, “and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ... For the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.” ULe 175.7

Paul sent a letter with Epaphroditus for the Philippian believers. Of all the churches, Philippi had been the most generous in supplying Paul’s needs. “Not that I seek the gift; but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent” (NRSV). ULe 176.1

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. ... ULe 176.2

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ... that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.” ULe 176.3

Paul’s imprisonment had resulted in progress for the gospel. “The things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest.” ULe 176.4

There is a lesson for us in this experience. The Lord can bring victory out of what may seem like defeat to us. When misfortune or disaster comes, we are ready to accuse God of neglect or cruelty. If He sees fit to bring an end to our usefulness in some area, we mourn, not stopping to think that He may be working for our good. Painful experiences are a part of His great plan. While suffering, the Christian may sometimes do more for the Master than when giving active service. ULe 176.5

Paul pointed the Philippians to Christ, who, “though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross” (NRSV). ULe 176.6

“Therefore, my beloved,” Paul continued, “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.” ULe 176.7

Paul holds up the standard of perfection and shows how to reach it: “Work out your own salvation ... for it is God who works in you.” The work of gaining salvation is a joint operation between God and the repentant sinner. We are to make earnest efforts to overcome, but we are completely dependent on God for success. Without the aid of divine power, human effort is useless. God works and we work. Resistance to temptation must come from us, and we must draw our power from God. ULe 176.8

God wants us to overcome self, but He cannot help us without our consent and cooperation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and abilities given to us. By ourselves we cannot bring our desires and our leanings into harmony with the will of God. But if we are “willing to be made willing,” the Savior will accomplish this for us, “casting down arguments ..., bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). ULe 176.9

Those who want to be well-balanced Christians must give all and do all for Christ. Every day they must learn what it means to surrender self. They must study the Word of God, obeying its instructions. Day by day God works with them, perfecting the character that will stand in the final test. And day by day the believers work out a wonderful experiment for others and even angels to see, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings. ULe 177.1