In the Tender Mercies of Christ Jesus

This passage is part of the letter the apostle Paul sent to the believers of the church in Philippi while he was imprisoned in Rome. Paul expresses deep gratitude as he thinks of the brothers and sisters who, even in his suffering, have steadily helped him and devoted themselves. He confesses that he longs for them because they are in his heart and have shared in grace with him in his chains and in the defense of the gospel. This shows their decision to give up worldly possessions and comfort and to sacrifice themselves for the gospel.

The sermon points to the pain and the decisions the Philippian believers had to go through before they left worldly abundance and idolatry and received Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites who returned from exile in Babylon devoted themselves to rebuilding a desolate Jerusalem, they had to lay down all the glory they had enjoyed in order to believe in the unseen God. That believers such as Lydia opened their homes and helped materially was not a human choice but the work of the Holy Spirit, who opened their hearts to understand the truth. Paul emphasizes that such devotion is showing love with the tender mercies of Christ, and that God is witness to that sincerity.

It asks what kind of faith we have as believers, and whether we are trusted in such a way that people who meet us are moved to give thanks and pray. With the observation that being recognized by the world may be harder than receiving grace from God, we are led to consider how we should live in order to discern what is spiritually good and to stand blameless until the day of Christ.