Over the next few months, we are going to be dipping into the book of Philippians for its insights into spiritual growth and formation. I hope you’ll join me in studying this wonderful letter to an early church that remains as relevant and life-changing as ever. This week we look at several verses in the first chapter.
The goal of the Christian life, it could be argued, is to be transformed into the image of Christ. But how does that happen?
We can take steps toward growth, engage in spiritual practices such as prayer and study, solitude and service. But even these practices are futile exercises without the intervention of God. The practices are just tools that God uses to form us.
In Philippians 1:5, Paul tells the believers in Philippi that he’s joyful “because of your partnership in the gospel.” What does that mean? Who are they partnering with? One might guess that Paul, the author of the letter, is talking about the church’s partnership with him—together, they are advancing the gospel, declaring the truth. We might assume that there are tasks to be accomplished, and Paul is glad the church is helping him.
But a closer reading of this sentence would indicate that Paul refers to a partnership between his readers and God, in which God is doing most of the work. This partnership works like this: “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (v. 6). That primary partnership, between the believer and God, serves as a foundation for fellowship between believers.
Have you perhaps thought of your “partnership in the gospel” as the work you are doing for God, rather than the work he is doing in you?
The word partnership translates the word koinonia in the Greek. This word can mean partnership, fellowship, or communion. It refers to having things in common (koinos). In verse 5, it refers to the work that God is doing in all of us, and how we have that in common with one another. Our communion with God joins us to each other and furthers the gospel.
Without God’s work in you, the work of ministry is simply going through the motions. While we are called to serve the church, we are also called to love God and allow him access to our lives in such a way that he can work; he can form us into his image. We cannot simply work for God while he watches from the sidelines. Instead, we partner with him.
Do you ever forget that the work God’s doing in you is not yet finished? Do you ever feel disappointed by your shortcomings? You can rest in the assurance that God will continue and complete his work in you.
Then in verse 7, Paul writes that “all of you share in God’s grace with me.” Again, we see the theme of partnership and sharing, not just in the work to be done, but in the gift of sheer grace.
This is not to say that Paul or anyone else is ignoring the work that must be done. It’s obvious that Paul has been doing things for God, preaching the gospel—he’s actually writing from prison, where he’s held because he preaches Christ. There is work to be done, but Paul is more concerned with the work God is doing in the hearts of his readers—because it is that work of God that will empower them to “stand firm” (v. 27), as Paul himself has.
However, his prayer is not that they will get the work done or even that they will go out preaching in his place. That will happen, but only if first, they lean into God’s grace. Paul’s prayer for the believers is that they would become more loving, more discerning, more pure, more righteous (see vv. 9-11). In other words, that they would be more fully formed into the image of Christ. And why would Paul want that for this young church? So that God would be glorified (v. 11).
I long for that, to be more loving, discerning, and so on. Again, this is what God wants to do in me—but sometimes that growth comes when I am willing to follow him to difficult places, to love those who are hard to love, to walk through trials. The question to ponder is this: Am I hindering the work God is trying to do in me by putting my energy into avoiding pain or conflict?
Sometimes God works through painful or challenging circumstances. We pray for growth but then spend a lot of time and energy trying to avoid those difficulties. Consider the possibility that being willing to embrace your struggles might allow God freer access to do the work he’s trying to do. And ultimately, that work will enable you to serve him.
Keri Wyatt Kent is a speaker and author of seven books, including Simple Compassion and Rest . Learn more about her ministry at keriwyattkent.com.
Unless otherwise indicated, the Bible verses in For Your Soul are from the New International Version.
