Rejoicing In Service
17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:17-18)
As we have seen from verses 12 to 18, Paul views his life completely as a gift from God to do His will, even to the point of death. Yet, Paul is not fearful of death, for he knows that once he breathes his last breath on earth, he will be in paradise with his blessed Savior forever. But, in the meantime, he states that he will continue to work according to God’s will, knowing that he is being energized by God and being filled with His wisdom to then be “poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of you faith.” Paul finds joy in service, seeing the church at Philippi grow, “I am glad and rejoice with all of you.”
Then, in verse 18, Paul encourages the believers to have the same attitude as he does, “In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.” Paul considered suffering for the sake of Christ to be an honor. In the same way, to suffer for the sake of the gospel, then, should be viewed in such a way as well, that even though you may be suffering and facing persecution, if it so that Christ’s name can be proclaimed, that is a worthy calling. As Anders states, “We, too, may experience joy under difficult circumstances if our primary purpose is serving God and others.”
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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