Pivotal Point

This morning while reading Philippians I am challenged as a leader and minister of the Gospel of Christ. The attitude that Paul has in Phillipians chapter 1 teaches me how to compose myself and conduct myself as a leader when faced with challenging situations. In chapter 1, Paul is an example of how one should compose himself/herself when times of challenge andtrouble come. Instead of Paul complaining about his imprisonment and the challenging times he is facing, he sees light in it, and perhaps even optimism in his suffering. This is seen in verses 12-14 when he says:

I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

By focusing on the good coming out of Paul's suffering and challenging times, he is being an example to the Philippians of how they should conduct themselves when being confronted with difficult times as well. The pivotal point of this is found in Philippians 1:27-28:

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Paul shows the Philippians that if they do two important things when encountering difficulties and hard times that it will garauntee the defeat of their enemies and their being saved, their salvation.

The two things that Paul says to do is: to stand firm in unity, and to have courage, "not frightened in anything by your opponents."

Paul first wants the Philippians to stand firm as one body and one mind, "striving side by side for the faith of the gospel of Christ."

It appears to be easier to stand in unity as a body when one is experiencing times of favor. However, Paul is explaining here that if anything, a body needs to be even more tightly knitted, and to keep in perspective the same vision, working side by side for the same thing, which is the faith of the gospel of Christ. Paul also shows the Philippians in chapter 2 what a body functioning in unity looks like. Paul shows the Philippians that in order to have unity one must imitate Christ's humility and to "do all things without grumbling of questioning."

Also, Paul wants the body to have courage and confidence when confronted with difficult situations. Paul exhibits great confidence and courage when he looks at the benefits of his imprisonment rather than disadvantages. Also, when he says in chapter 1:15-18:

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense and in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Paul is having an immense amount of confidence and courage by making this statement. He is showing that he is not frightened by the tactics of his enemies. Paul exudes great confidence and courage, not in himself, but in God alone. Paul has such an amazing understanding in the fact that nothing can hinder the God's plan for his life. In other words, Paul has an understanding of God's sovereignty in his life.

I am extremely challenged in areas of leadership to apply this text in my life. Oh how I desire for God to use me to create a team of leaders and believers that stand in unity and courage! Oh how I am challenged to look at things from the perspective of benefitting others and to rid myself of my selfish ways! Most importantly, I am challenged to be more like Christ.