Day 38: Philippians 2, Colossians 3
Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is centered on themes of joy and humility. He is writing to the Philippian church to thank them for their support of him, and he encourages them to know Christ and treasure him above all else (3:7-11) and to rejoice in all of their circumstances (4:4-13). This encouragement is even more meaningful because of Paul’s circumstances: he is writing this letter from prison.
In the first chapter, he explains that his imprisonment has only been a platform for sharing the gospel with his fellow prisoners and with those who are guarding him. And to him, regardless of motive, regardless of circumstances, the most important thing is that Christ is preached (1:18). Paul continues by imploring his readers to be unified in mind and love and spirit, much like Jesus prayed before his arrest and crucifixion (see reading for Day 27). Similarly, he encourages them to be humble and to put others above themselves, just a Jesus did. He then expresses in poetic form how Jesus, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing” (vv. 6-7). These verses do not mean that Jesus misunderstood his role as God or thought himself beneath it and therefore rejected that claim. Rather, they express that Jesus did not insist that his full rights and status as God were something to be forcibly retained. He chose to empty himself and humble himself even to death on our behalf. And now, as a result, “God exalted him to the highest place” in order that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (vv. 9-11).
This beautiful hymn of the faith is the focal point of the book of Philippians and provides one of the earliest confessions of the full divine-human nature of Jesus. It also justifies the instructions to the believers at Philippi to live humbly and in unity with one another. For when we love sacrificially, when we do nothing out of selfish ambition, when we consider the needs of others above our own, we are simply following the example of Christ.
Similarly, in the book of Colossians, Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse contains large sections of practical commands and encouragements to live a holy life. All of this is bound up in the truth of who Jesus is and what he has done -- see Colossians 1:15-23 for an example in this particular book. But he never wanted his churches to forget that God has not saved us to simply go to heaven one day when we die. Rather, he invites us to be on mission in this world and to join in his plan of proclaiming the good news of his story. He calls us to be heirs with Christ, to be transformed by the Spirit and Word of God, to honor him by our words and conduct, and to be a light to those around us, ultimately bringing them into God’s great story as well.
Even in today’s reading, we find a brief impetus for these rules of holy living. The chapter begins with the words “since, then” which indicate that the verses to follow stem from certain realities and backgrounds. Because we have already been “raised with Christ,” our hearts and minds should be focused on things above (vv. 1-2). When we accepted Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf, we died, and our lives “are now hidden with Christ in God” (v. 3). As such, our conduct ought to match that of one whose life is no longer his own. The following verses use the imagery of taking off the old self and putting on the new self. The old self, or earthly nature, consists of anything that comes naturally to humans apart from the transforming work of Christ, such as “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed” (v. 6). Now, since we are God’s chosen people, “holy and dearly loved,” we are to clothe ourselves in a new self, consisting of qualities such as “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (v. 12). No matter what we do, we should forgive one another, love one another, be at peace with one another, and encourage one another through the Word of Christ, ultimately doing everything in the name of Jesus.
This passage highlights an interesting aspect of the Christian faith. The rationale for living in this manner comes from the completed work of Jesus and the ongoing work of the Spirit in our lives, and yet this chapter consists of active commands for us to live out. We must choose day in and day out to live in this way, yet we must also rely on God’s transforming work in our lives to give us the power to do so. Ultimately, as believers, our work is so intertwined with God’s work that it can be - and should be! - difficult to undo them from each other. Because we have been chosen, called, and empowered by God, let us make every effort to live our lives in a way that brings honor and glory to him.
Questions for reflection and discussion: What are some practical and theological implications of Paul’s hymn in 2:6-11? How can you imitate Christ’s humility in your home, community, church, or workplace? What do you think it means to set our hearts and minds on things above? What aspects of the old self are you currently working to put off, and what aspects of the new self are you currently working to put on?
