Philippians 1: With the Heart of Christ

Verse 8: God is my witness how much I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

◇ Philippi was the place where Paul was beaten and imprisoned. The believers in Philippi knew better than anyone about the hardships Paul had faced. Perhaps that's why they participated more actively in Paul's ministry and supported him. Paul expresses his gratitude and praise to the believers in Philippi.

When we look at Paul's expression of his feelings towards the Philippians, it seems like he is like a parent to them.

"You are in my heart,"

"With the affection of Jesus Christ"

Paul traveled from place to place, preaching the gospel. He didn't ride in a limousine, stay in hotels, and enjoy the finest foods provided by hotels while receiving cheers from the believers. Instead, he tirelessly preached the gospel day and night, enduring mockery, contempt, lawsuits, and threats. He always preached the gospel in discomfort, anxiety, fear, and trembling. Yet, he still sang praises and prayed while preaching the gospel, because he had the heart of Christ within him.

In such situations, there was always something he never forgot: the people who had heard the gospel he preached and accepted Jesus as their Savior. They were the newly sprouted seeds of faith, just beginning to believe. He was concerned that these young believers might wither and not grow if they faced the same hardships he had. Therefore, they never left his heart and always remained in his thoughts. Paul's love and care for them were like the beating of Christ's heart.

So, he couldn't help but pray for them, just as a parent always prays for their beloved children.

"You are in my heart,"

"With the affection of Jesus Christ"

♧ Lord, help us to follow the example of Paul the evangelist! Fill our hearts with love for our fellow believers! Let us preach the gospel and love one another with the heart of Christ! Holy Spirit, lead us in the truth!