Stephan Hoffman

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:1-2

Paul (and Timothy) wrote from prison, probably in Rome, Caesarea or Ephesus, to the church in Philippi. This first congregation in the province of Macedonia was founded by Paul himself during his second missionary journey (see Acts 16:6-40). It was in this important city where Paul met Lydia, the seller of purple cloth, and where he and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail for driving the spirit of a soothsayer out of a young woman. God saved them in a wonderful way through an earthquake that broke open the prison doors. The jailer also came to repentance when Paul prevented him from committing suicide and later, to their shame, the city administration had to apologise to Paul and Silas and escort them out of the city because they were Roman citizens.

Now, Paul writes this letter to the church in Philippi to thank them for their continued support and care. Paul and Timothy identity themselves as "servants" or literally slaves of Jesus Christ, and they call the members of the congregation "saints" in Christ Jesus. This letter teaches us a lot about how a believer should think about him or herself, or to put it another way, about the identity of a believer "in Christ". How do you think about yourself? Can you describe yourself as a servant of Christ and holy (set apart) in Christ. If so, you can also experience something of the grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let's go live today as servants of Christ, set apart for God, sharing this grace and peace to everyone who crosses our path!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I have received a new identity in Christ. Please help me to dedicate my time, energy, and myself to you. May your peace and mercy reign over my life. Amen