Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 39th. Edition.
Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Today, we conclude our devotional study of Philippians with the final verses of chapter 4 (4:20-23). Glory (verse 20). When all is said and done – when we share generously and as a result, enjoy the provision for all our needs, for instance – we must never forget who should get the glory. We must never adopt the toddler’s potty line, “I did it all by myself.” The glory should go to God, always. This is the purpose of our existence, in any case, to glorify God, whether we live or die, enjoy life, or suffer.
Greetings (verses 21-22). It matters who we send greetings; it matters who sends greetings to us. Of particular interest is the mention of “Caesar’s household.” This does not necessarily mean that Caesar’s wife or children were believers, although we do not rule it out. Roman households comprised the immediate family, slaves, and servants. In the case of Caesar, this would also include those in the civil service and in the military, in addition to domestic servants and slaves. We saw earlier (1:13) that the palace guard had been confronted with the gospel. No doubt some believed. Maybe others in the civil service, domestic servants and slaves, had been converted. It just confirms the earlier statement, “The things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,” (1:12). Whom would you mention in your greetings?
Grace (verse 23). This letter started with grace (1:2), it ends with grace. Grace isn’t just the prayer we say before meals or the benediction at the end of a service. It is the expression of God’s love, by which he saves us. We are undeserving of God’s love, but he loves us, anyway – that is grace. It is also by grace that God sustains us. Even as redeemed people, our base instincts are sinful. God by his Spirit “leads us in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake,” (Psalm 23:3) – that is grace.
So grace be with you! Tomorrow we start on something new. What? That’s for you to find out now, isn’t it?
Your loving Pastor Chris.