Paul writes a joyful letter to the believers at Philippi. He is so grateful to them because of the commitment they have to Christ, their willingness to support him, & their work ethic when it comes to the work of the church. Paul says in the first eleven verses:
Paul and Timothy, bond servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The Philippians do not allow barriers to stand between them & Christ. They have a vision to serve & a heart to love Christ. More commitment means: More love-v. 9, More knowledge-v. 9, More discernment-v. 9, More approval of what is excellent-v. 10, May be blameless at judgement-v. 10, May be filled with the fruit of righteousness-v. 11.
When our choices stand between us & Christ our commitment to Him is negatively impacted. When we choose Christ, we are more!
