Godly Sacrifice and Service

Philippians 2:17 “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

I’m always looking to learn a lesson for life and the kingdom of God, so I read and listen to biblical teaches to gain applicable knowledge and understanding. A teaching on this Philippians Bible verse states that the Apostle Paul saw himself as “poured out”, as an offering on the “sacrifice and service” of these precious brothers and sisters in Christ. This special word is used only one other time, when Paul was “ready to be offered” at his death.

Paul’s ministry among the Philippians resulted in the godly lifestyle of the church. They became sacrifices, much like the Lord Jesus “had given himself for us” and as we are all told in Romans 12:1 to “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service”. Paul’s joy and rejoicing at the godly activity of the faithful saints at Philippi are the key to understanding the tone of the entire book. He had “poured out” himself, even being “shamefully treated” during his ministry there. Yet while writing this heartbreaking letter back to the church, he gives joyful greetings to them at the certain knowledge that his ministry among them has resulted in their sacrifice and service.

Would God grant that all of us could see our offerings for the sake of others with the same passionate expectation. Often our Lord calls on us to give of ourselves in selfless ways so that others may learn from our example. Sometimes, we must even pour out our own souls for the sake of the gospel. The goal is to reduce the population of Hell first in repentance and salvation in the light of the Savior Jesus Christ at the foot of the Cross, then secondly to point to the Lord, the Good Shepherd that came to bring us all life and that life abundantly in love, joy and peace not found anywhere else on earth.

Blessings.