This verse has always been amazing to me. Paul writes to the church in Philippi, and has the courage to tell them to imitate him. He was so confident in his walk with the Lord; he readily set an example for the people to imitate, and told them to be like him and the many other mature Christians that had set a godly example for them.
It is important to note that Paul is not trying to put the focus on himself; he even mentioned a bit earlier that he is not perfect, but rather he is pleading with them to follow him in his humble adoration of Jesus Christ, and complete dependency on Christ. It is so amazing, the transformation that Paul went through: from killing Christians with the sword, to leading them by his own example! He says in verse 12 that he presses onward because Jesus Christ has called Paul and made Paul His own, so even though Paul has set this amazing example of humility, he still gives all the credit to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In doing so, Paul just proves how great his example really is! If anyone could have boasted about their accomplishments, it was Paul. But he doesn’t, because he knows that everything that has happened to him was all due to the sovereign grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Paul submits very humbly to his Savior and invites everyone to join in. What a great example Paul is for all Christians. What a joy it is that we, Sons and Daughters of God, really can join Paul in humbly submitting to this amazing God we serve.
It is important to note that Paul is not trying to put the focus on himself; he even mentioned a bit earlier that he is not perfect, but rather he is pleading with them to follow him in his humble adoration of Jesus Christ, and complete dependency on Christ. It is so amazing, the transformation that Paul went through: from killing Christians with the sword, to leading them by his own example! He says in verse 12 that he presses onward because Jesus Christ has called Paul and made Paul His own, so even though Paul has set this amazing example of humility, he still gives all the credit to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In doing so, Paul just proves how great his example really is! If anyone could have boasted about their accomplishments, it was Paul. But he doesn’t, because he knows that everything that has happened to him was all due to the sovereign grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Paul submits very humbly to his Savior and invites everyone to join in. What a great example Paul is for all Christians. What a joy it is that we, Sons and Daughters of God, really can join Paul in humbly submitting to this amazing God we serve.
Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteSo, I have finally read one of your blogs. Very interesting thoughts.
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