Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Phil. 1:29-30 - Granted for Christ’s Sake

29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30 Experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and hear it to be in me.

Suffer for His Sake

Vs. 29 - “For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”

For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake” - The reason you need not be alarmed when attacked by Christ’s enemies (they are now also your enemies) is three-fold:
(1) You are saved. They are lost, eternally, from God. (See discussion in vss. 1:3-5 Posted 2-Jul-2019)

(2) You believe in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit by God’s grace to Christ’s glory. Each individual who believes (comes to Christ) is cause for joy in heaven. Everyone there (I mean EVERYONE) says, “You did this, Lord! Worthy art thou our Lord, and our God.” See the following from Revelation:
"Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful, Who was and who is, and who is still to come!" (Rev. 4:8)
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation.” (Rev. 5:9)
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say: "Come!" And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge.” (Rev. 22:17)
Then I heard what sounded like the voice of a vast throng, like the roar of many waters and like loud crashes of thunder. They were shouting: "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the All-Powerful, reigns!’” Rev. 19:6

(3) You will suffer persecution because of your faith to Christ’s glory (See the discussion below next).

to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” - This does not sound like something to look for in our lives. Christ warned His disciples that His followers would suffer persecution, because the world will hate them. The world will hate us, because the world hates Jesus (and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit.) See: Acts 5:41; Rom. 8:17; 1 Thess. 3:4; 1 Pet. 3:14; 1 Pet. 4:19; Rev. 2:10. Also, fear, awe, or respect for God has a higher potential for return than fear of mankind, See: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28)
Whoever, then, acknowledges me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven.Matt. 10:32, 33.
Satan is the prince of this earth (world) (Eph. 2:2) and he rebelled against God. Basically it was an attempted palace coup (Rev. 12:6-9). Satan lost.

Rejoicing erupts in heaven at the announcement of another soul saved. There is rejoicing when a Christian stands firm in the gospel in spite of persecution. Hallelujahs ring out! Again, those present glorify Jesus because one of His own remained true and faithful to the end. He is glorified because He provided the power and strength. The martyrs are not successful by their own might or strength, but by His Spirit. (Zech. 4:6)

Vs. 30 - “Experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and hear it to be in me.

Experiencing the same conflict” - That is: which do I hope for, work toward? Stay here on earth fulfilling Christ’s mission for me? Dying and being in heaven with Jesus? Same dilemma Paul faced. We know we are instructed to preach the gospel and see people saved. We know we would be far better off seeing Jesus face to face, because we will be just like Him (1 John 3:1-3). The Philippians know from reports and communications with Paul what he was telling them.

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End of Chapter
Philippians 1:1-30 (NASB)

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