The book of Philippians has brought me more comfort and peace through the years than almost any book in the Bible. Paul wrote the book from prison to a church that had been under pretty intense persecution. It was a message of hope, of provision and of faith. Paul begins the book with a standard opening, but not really. Paul and Timothy culture, –Bond Servants of Christ Jesus. What an amazing description of the unique relationship we have in Christ. When Christ died for our sin, we were freed from the law and the penalty sin exacted on all people. But, in the Roman world, if a slave was given his freedom, the slave could choose to remain with his master. If such a choice was made, the master would mark the slave by piercing his earlobe and leaving the blood spot on the doorpost. That mark meant the servant was committed for the remainder of his life. It also meant that the owner would treat the bondservant as family.
That is our relationship with Our Heavenly father. He freed us from the slavery we had in sin. We then asked for his forgiveness and asked to be in relationship with the Lord. We are then marked as a Child of God. One of his chosen. that mark is forever. As his bondservants, we enjoy the benefits of being a part of the family and are there by choice–not by force, like a slave. Paul and Timothy understood their ministry was by choice. They were pleased to be bondservants. We should live as bondservants, voluntarily bound to a master that loves us and truly wants to make us free.
God Bless You
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons[a]:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
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