Day Of Christ

Philippians 2:14-17 - Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 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.

Philippians 1:4-6 - In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9:27 - No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

2 Corinthians 6:4-10 - Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Conclusions:

• Paul is confident, not only of what God has done for the readers in forgiving their sins, but also of what He has done in them
• The day of Christ Jesus is His return, when their salvation will be brought to completion
• It is God who initiates salvation, who continues it and who will one day bring it to its consummation
• In 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul uses the figure of boxing to represent the Christian life, in serving Christ
• Paul does not aimlessly beat the air, but he severely disciplines his own body in serving Christ
• Paul realizes that he must with rigor serve the Lord and battle against sin
• If Paul fails in this battle against sin, he may be excluded from the reward
• The reference “I am being poured out” may be to Paul’s entire ministry as one large thanksgiving sacrifice
• It is more probable that Paul refers to his present imprisonment, which may end in a martyr’s death
• Paul’s life would then be poured out as a drink offering accompanying the sacrificial service of the Philippians
• The Old Testament background for drink offerings is the daily sacrifices
• Genuine faith is active and working
• Paul is making many rich in Christ
• True wealth does not consist in worldly possessions but in being rich toward God
• The believer, even if he has nothing of this world’s goods, nevertheless has everything in Him who is Lord of all

Application:

• Are you confident of what God has done in you?
• Do you serve the Lord and battle against sin with rigor?
• Do you rejoice in tribulation?
• Do you have everything in Him who is Lord of all?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible