A Call to Commitment to One Another: Philipians 2:12-18

I was in a meeting recently where someone mentioned alcoholic anonymous, the group that addicts of alcohol can join to recover from alcoholism. Apparently when you join AA, you get a ‘sponsor’, that is someone you can call any time night or day 24/7 if you feel any desire to drink or need any help. That person can also call you and ask any question. The goal is to help you stay sober. At its best it is a deep relationship of trust, commitment and vulnerability. These are the very same values that mark Paul’s relationship with the Philippians.

What strikes me is the personalized address in several phrases of today's passage.The use of personal pronouns and terms of endearment shows what Paul is saying is coming from the depths of his heart. Take a look at this:

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed... (vs 12),”

“That I may boast about you… (Vs 16b)"

“I’m glad and rejoice for all of you… (vs 17)"

“So you too should be glad and rejoice with me… (vs 18)”

But even before this one, the previous passages are filled with all these personal references that give you the impression that you are 'listening in' into a personal conversation. Take a look at some more verses:

“I thank my God every time I remember you”—1: 3
“I always pray with joy because of your partnership” 1:4
“It is right for me to feel this way about you” 1:7
“I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” 1:8
“If you have any encouragement…make my joy complete…” 2:1-2

Here is what I’d like us appreciate about these references: to a large measure, the maturity of the Philippian believers is the result of how closely they have related to Paul. I think it is a reality in human beings, that we are stronger or better off if we have wholesome relationships with one another, right from childhood, families, in school, in the work place, in church. Those we relate with closely in the household of faith are the ones that help build us up in our walk with the Lord (hence the need to be in a small groups). And here are the markers that lead people into wholesome relationships, especially as I glean them from the personalised phrases above:

Trust: One of our pastors likens relationships to a bank account. Trust is like the savings you keep depositing in that account. Trust is build by being dependable, keeping your word, not betraying confidence placed on you by the other and thinking in the best interests of the other person. Of course it is a two way effect, for the other person must reciprocate with trust. When you invest and build trust, then there can be vulnerability with each other.

Vulnerability: It is the willingness to expose yourself to someone else, to let them really get to know your needs, your failures, your fear, even successes. There has to be depth of honesty, openness not deciept, truthfulness, not double-sidedness. Paul had not only build trust with this church, he had shared everything with them and they know exactly his needs, situation, his hopes, even his hope to die and be with Christ.

Commitment: Trust and vulnerability will not go far if there is no commitment to invest in the relationship. I have had a good friend whom for about a year we were prayer partners. We had build trust and were vulnerable to each other. We helped each other through a difficult season of our lives. But now I can feel the relationship slipping through our fingers like grains of sand, for we are so busy we no longer find time to meet. Both of us need to do something otherwise she will not be able to speak into my life and I will not be able to pray for her. Paul longs to come and meet the Philippians and when he can not, he writes a letter and sends his best helpers to be with this church.

Now, these values are great but not an end in themselves. Relationships have to have a purpose. I highlight them to say that if we want to shine as beacons of light in a dark world (2: 15), we have to have ‘sponsors’ who help us ‘stay sober’ (see reference to AA above). We need to have vulnerable relationships under girded by trust and commitment to one another. These will keep us accountable to the confession we have made to the Lord, and in turn make us witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In an earlier blog, we mentioned the markers of Paul’s relationship with the Philippians. These are thankfulness, confidence and affection. We signed off with the question, “how can you build up the kind of relationship that Paul had with this Philippians church? Well, try building trust, vulnerability and commitment into your relationships.

Think and act: Do you have someone in your life to whom you are truly vulnerable, but beyond that, one who constantly points you towards Christ and the values of the kingdom of God? The reverse of that is, can you be trusted? Can someone be vulnerable to you and know that you will lead them to the one who knows the way?

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