IT IS RIGHT TO THINK SO

"Even as it is meet (right or proper) for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart . . . " (Phil 1:7)

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE for whom strong spiritual aspirations are questionable. Their condition is uncertain, and we do not know if they will finish the race or not. Compare the assurance in Paul's expression to the Philippians with his words to the Galatians: "I am afraid for you . . . I have doubts about you" (Gal 4:11,20, NKJV). For the Galatians, it was "right" to labor in travail, desiring that Christ be "formed" in them (Gal 4:19). With the Philippians, it was "right" to expect it would be accomplished. This is a higher level of expectation, prompted by the recognition of a present Divine working in the Philippians.

A CERTAIN RELIEF AND CONSOLATION comes with confidence that God will continue working in someone until the day of Christ. This is the opposite of "the deep concern (anxiety)" for the churches which came upon Paul (2 Cor 11:28). There are spiritual weights that are decidedly reduced when those with whom we labor are growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. When doubt of them completing the race is replaced with a certainty of its victorious completion, grace is ministered to the heart of the concerned ones.

PAUL AFFIRMS THE RIGHTNESS of this confidence is owing to them being in his heart. This is an expression denoting the love of the brethren – having them in our heart. Remember, Paul's recollection of unbelieving Israel caused him to say, "I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart" (Rom 9:2). He could not forget their condition, and it weighed him down. But with the Philippians, great confidence was sanctified by having them in his heart. That is what "the love of the brethren" does for the soldier of Christ. This type of confidence was expressed by the aged John. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). That is having the people of God in your heart – and it is right!

CONSIDER THAT ALL OF THIS was prompted by the faith and faithfulness of the Philippians. Their spiritual demeanor confirmed that God had begun a good work in them. That is what endeared them to the Apostle – what God had already done in them. It also made it right to be confident He would complete the work.

THESE BRETHREN HAD STOOD with Paul when he was afflicted as well as when he was free from the restraints of men. " . . . inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace . . . " The manner in which Paul speaks of grace is refreshing, and contradicting of the world's way of reasoning. He associates grace with his bonds (chains) and defending and confirming the Gospel. In the former, men restrained him for preaching. In the latter he was granted liberty to do so. In both, grace was the consistent and present factor.

HE CALLS IT "my grace" because he had participated in it. Grace had enabled and sustained him, upheld and strengthened him. The Philippians had joined with him in this experience, identifying themselves with him. They had associated themselves with Paul by ministering to him and praying for him. Thus they were "partakers" with him in the grace he experienced.

PAUL CONSIDERS THIS LIFE in Christ as one contiguous whole. He does not view it as differing and contradicting segments. As he says later, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" 1:21). He associated all of his life with Christ and the experience of His grace. He takes the extremities of his life, and gathers them together under the canopy of grace.

THERE IS NOT ONLY GRACE, therefore, to sustain us in the bonds, but grace brings us into the afflictions themselves, giving us unspeakable benefit IN them. The steps of a good man ARE ordered by the Lord (Psa 37:23), and sometimes those steps lead to affliction and even incarceration. The Philippians had fellowshipped in this grace by sending Epaphroditus, who was with Paul in prison (2:25-27).

PAUL REFERS TO THE UNRESTRAINED preaching of the Gospel as "the defense and confirmation of the gospel." He knew grace had been given Him to minister "the Gospel of God" (Rom 15:15). To the Ephesians he confessed grace was "given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8). True preaching consists of defending and confirming the Gospel: showing its relevance, and substantiating its power. The substantiation of Gospel power is seen in its effects within those who embrace it. It is the means employed by God to accomplish salvation. The Philippians were participating in Paul's ministry of the Gospel, hereby confirming their acceptance by God. That is why it was RIGHT for Paul to have them in his heart, and be confident of their triumph.

– Given O. Blakely