May 29, 2025 -- Philippians 4:21-23 -- Not merely a formulaic ending

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Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philippians 4:21-23 ESV
 
Into a few verses (which are easily dismissed as a formulaic ending) Paul concludes the letter to the Philippians with a powerful set of greetings and the benediction. The first greeting is to go out to every saint in Christ Jesus. Remember that some of the saints were fighting (Euodia and Syntyche), some are party to one side or the other. Paul is greeting all with the holy expectation that healing will come. The second greeting is from Timothy and Epaphroditus (and any other believers from among the Christian community where Paul is). There is a great unity that believers have which is given through Jesus Christ. It is His Spirit who unites us. His Spirit gives us the ability to say, “Jesus Christ is Lord”. His Spirit who leads us in humility, restoration and service. His Spirit who lifts our life from self-directed to instead having the goal of pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (3:14).
 
Read on as Sinclair Ferguson explains the next greeting,
Final greetings are also passed on by Paul from those of Caesar’s household (v.22).
These were probably slaves or freedmen who worked in the Roman civil service. It
is thrilling to think that already the gospel had penetrated the machinery of
government and that some of the power-brokers in the ancient world were coming
into contact with humble Christians shining like lights in the world (2:15).
Sinclair Ferguson, Let’s Study Philippians. page 116
Add to this the fact that “the whole imperial guard” has learned Paul’s imprisonment is for Christ (1:13). What an impact one man is having on a huge empire.
 
Dear fellow readers, your life lived for Jesus Christ has an impact beyond what you can possibly imagine. The Spirit of God brings you to people and places ripe for the gospel. Sometimes, like is the case with Paul, you can see the impact you have for Jesus. Most times, you will need to cling to Paul’s Spirit-inspired assurance that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (1:6). Completion in your life so that you will receive the crown of glory. Completion for those who by the work of the Spirit you were meant to impact for Jesus. To this day I remember one senior couple in the church of my early youth, who every Sunday faithfully attended church, morning and evening. They had lots of adult children, but not one of them came to church. But this couple’s steadfast attendance in church shone out as a beacon testifying to their commitment to Jesus; that deeply affected me. They probably had no idea that some little kid, seventy years younger than they were at the time, was so impacted by their example of godly living.
 
Greet each other in Christ Jesus. Make sure your conversation, your emails, all your interactions with others are seasoned with the awareness of Jesus. When people meet you, know you, spend time with you at school, or work, or in sports, they will know by your words and actions Christ has made you His own and you seek to make Christ and His blessings your own (3:12).
 
Father in heaven thank You that from before the creation of the world, You chose for Yourself people to be Your sons and daughters through the work of Jesus Christ. Thank You for the work of Your Holy Spirit Who subdues the rebellion of our hearts by transforming our mind and lives in conformity with Christ, who is the prize of life. As Christ has made us His own, Spirit of God direct us to aspire to make Christ our own so that the things of this world fade away and the ravenous temptations of this world are revealed to be as hideous as they truly are. Father in heaven, thank You for the rich grace with which You have covered every part of our life in Christ. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/8wfhhFHMgxY?si=NbzKJGAoctgZIJE0 Jesus Is Mine
 

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