For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verset, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1:25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
Paul has given us a glimpse in his thought patterns, his reasoning and his desires. He was a man who had like passions as we, although focused on the will of God much more intensely than I. His heart is that of a man who has two possibilities in his life and will sacrifice his greatest reward for the sake of his brethren, for a church he rarely sees, but loves.
Two goals are in Paul’s mind for the Philippians.
Progress in the Faith
Growth, maturity, greater understanding of God’s will for your life, increased boldness, courage, self sacrifice for others. Need I go on? We are to grow, and to encourage others to grow. Progress in the faith my friends. Standing still actually equates to slippage, to regression and falling behind, a withering.
Joy in the Faith
In all our maturity, if joy is missing, this should be an alarm going off in our hearts. A deep seated joy is the ever present partner of a living faith, a growing and prospering faith.
Do not hear that I speak of happiness. This is not the message. Joy is that strength of heart that provides encouragement, hope and a knowledge of His goodness in your life that we do not deserve. An ever present resident in our life that addresses the doubts and fears, that we can experience in the midst of trial and trouble, in the midst of grief and sorrow.
A mystery to be clear, and yet the very possession of the believer who is growing in the faith
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