Ending the book of Philippians, we should reflect on what we have learned over the last 34 weeks. For instance, we are to stand fast in one spirit, to strive together for the faith of the Gospel, to be of one mind, to shine as lights in the world, and to know we are a part of God’s grand symphony of grace. We’ve been encouraged to rejoice in the Lord, and to not place confidence in the flesh. Paul has urged us to follow his example of knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection. He has also reminded us that our true citizenship lies in heaven, and of the hope that results from that understanding. Paul exhorted us to stand fast in the Lord, to let Jesus guard our hearts, and to meditate on things that are worthy of praise. He taught us that Jesus, who began the work of salvation in us, would carry that work on to completion. We also learned of Christ’s great example of humility, where he humbled himself, took on flesh, and became a servant. Finally, we learned what true contentedness looks like and that true joy comes not from our circumstances, but from our relationship with Jesus and in the sustaining power of the Gospel.
The book of Philippians is unique in that Paul’s words continually move back to being centered in joy. There is a constant in all of our seasons of life: Jesus reigns over created order and in this life, we will experience hardship. The way to walk in joy through all of our seasons of life is to have it centered in the constancy of knowing Jesus (Phil 2:6-8) who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. We know that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil 2:11).