Philippians Pt-1; “AM I DOING THIS RIGHT?”

Scripture Reference - Phillippians 1:1-11

HOW TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT TAKING ON WATER EVERYTIME A STORM COMES

1 - My identity must be aligned no matter what my circumstances (good or bad) try to convince me otherwise of. In Paul's first two verses, he introduces himself not as an apostle, deacon, or elder… he says he is a bondservant. This is a major context clue of the calling and identity we take on as a follower of Jesus. If my identity is not aligned with this reality, my freedom feels like drowning, for I'm professing to be a bondservant but not wanting to take seriously the oath that it means to be one: the master, and the master's house, all my days.

2 - The mission of God is not a product we produce, it's a united and partnered people, restoring the kingdom of God in the fallen world. This cannot be done individually and sustained. Jesus models a life of partnership on mission alongside others to restore creation. We don't stop until we see the good work in our lives, and bring others into the good work God has for them, and we embrace everything it takes, through time, circumstance, and cost, for this mission to come to pass. Paul was united to those imprisoned for the gospel, who defended the gospel, confirmed the gospel, and partook in the grace of the gospel, for the gospel was never meant to be carried alone.

3 - Spiritual maturity looks a lot different in Philippians than in 2026. It is love that abounds, knowledge that grows, discernment that is sensitive to the spirit of God, sincerity and blamelessness in how we live, being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes from a life of proximity to following the ways of Jesus. Does our spiritual maturity reflect a life in which we have nailed our freedoms to the doors of God's house, and then began to model and reflect these things? If not, you may miss the deeper part of storms: they have a way of revealing what our foundation cannot support.