Philippians 1: An Epic of Love

How would you define an epic? Have you ever been a part of one or know of someone who was? When most people think of epics stories, they think of stories like the Odyssey, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars or Harry Potter. Epics by nature are larger than life, grand struggles between good and evil. We yearn to be a part of something greater than ourselves, something larger than life, but we only really get a glimpse of them in literature or movies. Or do we?

Paul begins to write to his beloved Philippians with this great prayer pouring out his heart to them (v. 3-11). Out of this love, Paul wants to encourage them that the suffering he is facing is for the benefit of the gospel and for them and for the church (v. 12, 18-20). His love for the Philippians and for the church compels him to struggle for the gospel. For Paul this is the epic of the gospel, which God has been fighting since the Fall in Genesis chapter 3. But Paul doesn’t stop there. He calls the Philippians to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ so that they would stand firm against the all opposition (v. 27). It has been granted to us to receive not just salvation but also to receive our sufferings for Christ’s sake. We too are called into this grand epic of the gospel of Christ.

Towards the end of the movie The Two Towers, Frodo, one of the main characters of the story, tells his friend Sam, that he can’t go on. Sam responds, “Do you remember the tales that really mattered; full of darkness and danger; where you didn’t want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad has happened? But in the end the darkness passes, the new day comes and when the sun shines it shines even clearer…”

This is a picture of our struggle in this grand epic of the gospel of Christ. The powers against God’s people seem far too great and far too strong. The world appears so hopeless when we see those we love in rebellion against God. Our lives are marked at times with great trial and suffering. This is our part of the epic. But Christ defeated these powers, victory has been won and we must never give up. Paul’s love drove him to fight for the church as Christ’s love for us drove him to the cross. We too can love, persevere and fight for the church because Christ loves us, fought for us and is faithful to us.

Posted by Aaron