April 28 2026

Tuesday April 28

Living for the Progress and Joy of Faith

Philippians 1:22-26

Today we conclude our thoughts in Philippians 1:22–26. We are looking particularly at verses 25 and 26, where the Apostle Paul writes, “And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”

The Apostle Paul, remember, is in prison in Rome. He is writing back to the church at Philippi that he had founded years earlier. He uses the words “I am confident.” He expresses confidence that he will remain—not because of circumstances (who knows what the authorities are thinking or planning to do with him), and not because of human authority—but because he believes that God has a purpose for him.

“Being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue.” Remember verse 6 of this chapter: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” I love Psalm 138:8: “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” God knows when my last day is. He knows when the time of my departure will be at hand. I don’t know. But I do know this: I can be confident that as long as I have breath in my lungs, my mind is working, and my heart is beating, God has a purpose for me—and God has a purpose for you.

That is what Paul is talking about. What is that purpose? “For your progress and joy of faith.” The word “progress” means advancing—advancing in your faith, growing in your faith, even through difficult times and circumstances that are not good. The Christian life is not easy. It involves trials and challenges. But God uses people like the Apostle Paul to help others grow and move forward. God uses people like you and me to help others take that next step in the Christian life in the right direction.

This reminds us of Acts 14:22, where Paul said, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”  But notice, growth is not just about endurance—it is about joy. So his confidence was not only that they would make progress, but that they would have joy of faith. Because as you grow in your faith, you grow in your confidence. And guess what? Your joy, your completeness, your maturity in Christ grows as well. You experience a satisfaction that only comes from being intimately connected in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is living in you.

Then in verse 26: “That your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ.” Notice carefully, Paul is not pointing them to himself. Their joy is not in Paul. Yes, he mentions rejoicing for him—they are rejoicing for Paul—but their rejoicing is not in Paul. Their rejoicing is in Christ. Paul understood that any impact he was making was because Christ was working through him. That is why he wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:21, “Let no one boast in man.” Everything points to Jesus Christ. So Paul is saying, “When I come to you again, your joy will increase—but not because of me, but because of what Christ has done and is doing.”

Let me conclude with this: Live to help others grow. Your life should be impacting someone else. Let me ask you—are you discipling someone else? I can tell you, when you experience Christ working in you and through you, and you see others growing in Christ because of your influence, that is real joy. I am convinced that is the joy Jesus was speaking about in John 15:11 & 16: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full”….“Bearing fruit that remains…”

We should always be pointing others to Christ, no matter what, because we are only the instruments—He is the source of all life. It is evident that Paul, while he was on earth, was not living for himself but for the spiritual growth of others. May the Lord help us to do the same.

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!