Tag Archives: devoted life

Sorry…the following post is out of order. It should have published last week, but I had a glitch in my processing. So here it is, now!

We’re going through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. He’s been sharing his heart with them because of their faithful support of his ministry. He continues along these lines.

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:17-18 NIV

You have to understand that his reference to being a drink offering is not talking about martyrdom. That’s not what’s happening to him right now. It’s deeper than that.

Yes, the Greek word he uses in this verse means a libation – a drink offering. However, it’s also used to mean something that you devote your entire life to.

That’s where the “rubber meets the road” in our Christian walk. Sometimes it’s so easy for us to say, “Of course I would die for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” The problem is when it comes to the daily sacrifice of our lives.

It’s so much more difficult to die to ourselves each day. That’s what Paul is talking about in this passage. He has devoted his life to see the church doing these two things – sacrificing and serving.

Because of their faith in Christ, they’re willing to be a living sacrifice. They’re willing to lay everything down for the cause of Christ. But, more than that, the word, service, that Paul uses, means a public devotion to the Lord.

That’s what the apostle has devoted his life to. And it brings him great joy to see the effect that the Philippian church is having in their region.

In the same way, this church had devoted much of their resources to support Paul’s ministry. They need to pick up on that same attitude of joyfulness. They can see the affect Paul is having and rejoice in the part that they have played in the advancement of the Gospel.

The fact is that this type of devotion is contagious.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Philippians 2:19-24 NIV

Timothy was one of Paul’s spiritual sons. He traveled and labored with Paul. During that time, he picked up the same devotion to ministry. Timothy’s desire was the same as Paul’s.

Paul makes the issue very clear. It’s something that we need to wrestle with in our generation. Are we looking out for our own interests, or those of Jesus Christ? How you answer that question makes all the difference.

In my last post, I talked about what it means to live an empty, unfulfilled life. This is just the opposite. When you devote all that you are to the cause of Christ, you find the joy of living.

I know this sounds counter-intuitive. Giving up your agenda and desires for those of Christ is not what we naturally want to do. However, in life, the best things are the hardest of lay hold of. Laying down your life for the Lord truly is the best road.

Question: How deep is your devotion to Christ?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi