Paul and the church at Philippi received significant opposition to the true gospel they received through faith. Many pushed the church to pursue worldly forms of power and following rules and regulations to experience right relationship with Christ. Today we still experience these messages and feel this pressure, believing that right relationship with Christ can be earned by perfect doctrine and behaviors and believing Christ is somehow present more in power than weakness. Paul reminds us that it is only through faith that we have been made right with God. Paul reminds us when we suffer Christ co-suffers with us. Relationship with God isn’t earned, it’s freely given from God. 

Scriptures: Philippians 3:4b-14