For the Service of Your Faith

rather also if I am poured out as a drink offering it is to the extent of your faith... - Philippians 2:17

Paul writes this letter having been imprisoned. Literally the pouring out of his life as an offering could occur, and Paul is hard pressed between staying in this life and being with Christ. "For me living, Christ, also dying gain if now I live in the flesh this means fruitful work I also know, not knowing which I prefer, I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is much better by far, yet for it is necessary remaining in the flesh." Paul experienced many hardships and he writes it is for the service of their faith, and it is was for ours too.

to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering, being conformed to his death, if by any means attaining the resurrection from the dead - Philippians 3:10-11

The resurrection life that Paul is attaining, but not as if he has attained it fully, v.12, comes through being conformed to the death of Christ. Paul was facing death all day long he says, and it was for our sake. "As it is written: 'For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered'" (Romans 8:36). "For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows" (2 Corinthians 1:5). He bore the marks of Christ in his body (Galatians 6:17). He was flogged thirty-nine lashes five times, he was beaten with a rod three times, he faced death again and again, he was stoned and left for dead, shipwrecked, imprisoned, thrown in to fight wild animals... (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). "Accordingly daily dying by the boasting which your having in Christ Jesus our Lord. If accordingly a man fighting wild beats in Ephesus what have I gained if the dead are not raised..." (1 Corinthians 15:31-32). Because of his hardships the boasting was theirs, the church, they could boast of the work of Christ in their own lives, which he helped to supply their need.

... in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations, which is for your glory -Ephesians 3:12-13

Suffering was two things for Paul, first, to become like him in his resurrection, by being conformed to his death. This Paul writes God purposed through Christ and God is working out all things for our good according to this purpose so that we are being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29). Second, suffering was to Paul revelation into the mystery of Christ, through being conformed to his death and fellowship in his sufferings he received great revelation. This is what Paul means when he says it is for the service of our faith that he goes on living in the flesh, though it might mean more suffering to him, it is for our glory, which is the glory of Christ.

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have... - Philippians 1:29-30

It has been granted to us to believe and to suffer. Instead of reacting negatively to hardship Paul began to see it as a gift from God for his own good, it was for his glory, and he says those who are mature take this point of view so that suffering also becomes for the glory of others. "Now not only so, also we boast in affliction knowing that afflictions works out endurance" (Romans 5:3). We are granted a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ, which often comes through suffering, fellowship in his sufferings. Without knowing him more suffering is meaningless and without hope. In the affliction is the work of endurance which matures us, we become like him bearing fruit of conformation to his image, which glorifies God. This is the glory of being transformed and why Paul could rejoice and boast in sufferings.

resting the souls of the disciples, encouraging continuance of faith and saying to them 'through many tribulations we must come into the kingdom of God' - Acts 14:22

This is a mindset that God has been working in me, though it has been difficult for me to accept, it is the way of following Christ that I am called to. My life poured out for the service of the faith of others. In the suffering I know him more, and without the suffering I would not have known him in such a way. I am able to write about these things as often as I have revelation, as God is working out my salvation, for the service of the faith of others. Paul suffered in ways that I can not imagine, truly his life was poured out as an offering for the service of our faith. May God grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing more of Christ who poured himself out on our behalf, and may we have strength to serve him in such a way for the service of the faith of others.

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