Persecution

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (Philippians 1:7 ESV)

The Philippian believers have been privileged to share in Paul's grace--not grace from Paul, but the grace of God lavished upon Paul. How so?

Every good thing we have, including the gifts God has given us for ministry, are undeserved. Paul has been gifted for ministry in many ways and the Philippians, through the ministry of Paul, have been partakers of that grace. They have been blessed spiritually by the gifts God has graciously given to Paul. Now they are reciprocating that grace right back to Paul by sending him a gift by the hand of Epaphroditus. They have taken this collection to give to him to meet his needs while in prison. Now, as Paul's ministry continues, they are partakers of that grace along with him. They have sacrificed of themselves to share in his suffering. No wonder he holds them in his heart!

Grace, then, is not the only thing they have in common with Paul. They also have suffering. It is likely that Paul, here, alludes to something that is mentioned specifically later in the letter--that is that the Philippians themselves are also suffering persecution for the sake of the gospel. Persecution of the Church is starting to spread throughout the empire. While Paul is imprisoned in Rome the Christians at Philippi and elsewhere are suffering as well.

Persecution is the norm for the Church. It is not expected that the Fellowship of the Gospel should pass through this world without trials. We are on a mission for the King and we can expect the enemy to be lying in wait. Jesus himself said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation." (John 16:33 KJV) Paul said, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12 KJV)

Just take a look at Church history. The Church, the true Church made up of the blood-bought people of God throughout the ages, has always faced the flames of persecution. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church," said Tertullian and he was right. There has not been a time since the apostles when Christians were not being persecuted somewhere for their faith. And that's how it should be.

Jesus calls us to follow him. He says, "Take up the cross and follow me." What does it mean to "take up the cross" if not to be willing to suffer and die if need be for his sake? Many have felt the truth of that calling in their own flesh before we came along and many more will after we have passed. It is a privilege to suffer for his cause. It is a privilege to suffer for the sake of the gospel. It is a privilege to suffer for his name's sake.

Oh, and I wish to leave you with one more thought. Back in that upper room, on the last night that Jesus had with his disciples before he was betrayed, he made them that promise that I quoted above: "In the world ye shall have tribulation." But that's not all he said. He continued with this: "But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."