What do you treasure? Is there anything of surpassing value? Is there anything that deserves our life-long, passionate pursuit? The answer is “yes.” Paul describes it in verse 8,”More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Paul reminds us that nothing on earth compares to knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. You will never regret pursuing Christ.
To see the importance of this passage, consider two questions. First, why do we have a travel itinerary at all? Second, why is this travel itinerary in the middle of the book? By speaking about Timothy and Epaphroditus, Paul provides concrete examples of what he’s been talking about in the previous two chapters. And this is why this passage lays claim on our lives. Paul moves from instructions and imperatives to living illustrations. We need illustrations/examples of a book-of-Philippians type of life!
In Philippians 2, Paul exhorts the Philippians to adopt Jesus’ death as their central outlook, their central mindset, for life. Instead of living to get and get and get – more women, more praise, more money, etc. – the Christian is called to imitate Christ, who came to give and give and give. So let’s look at this passage in two parts, and then collect some points of application. First consider the Mind of Christ, and then consider The Hymn to Christ.
Writing from a Roman prison, a chained man tells us about the meaning of life, and the glory of death. The apostle Paul tells us about a life worth living, and a death worth dying. Verse 21 summarizes it,” For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This is one of the most quoted verses in the entire New Testament, and for good reason. This is what living and dying is about: Christ. Living is about serving Christ; dying is about being with Christ.
This opening section of Philippians is an explosion of joy and affection. Paul’s joy-filled thanksgiving to God, and his warm, affectionate words to the Philippians are really striking. I find it also very exemplary. While, everyone expresses affection differently, we should all affirm the importance of passion. We should passionately express our love to God in thankful prayer and worship; and our affection to others in relationships.
