July 14, 2025 - Philippians 4:18 - "Full and Abounding in Christ"

Philippians 4:18

"But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God."

The apostle Paul speaks of receiving from Epaphroditus “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” This expression is more than a note of gratitude. It is a testimony to the gracious fruit that flows from hearts opened by the sovereign love of Christ. Paul does not see their gift as mere human kindness, but as a Christ-wrought offering, made acceptable and pleasing through the merits of the LORD Jesus.

In this, we see the beauty of God's free and sovereign grace in Christ: that even our sacrifices, tainted and weak in themselves, are accepted in the Beloved. All spiritual fruit, all gospel generosity, arises not from fleshly will but from the life of Christ in His redeemed people. Herein is grace glorified and God well-pleased.

Anyone who is in the LORD Jesus, by God’s electing grace and His redeeming death, has everything they need. There is no greater “rags to riches” story than the testimony of a child of God. Hannah described it in her prayer in 1 Samuel 2:8: “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory…”

How happy and fulfilled are those whom the LORD has made the objects of His grace in Christ Jesus! He is infinitely richer than the wealthiest monarch on earth. Left to ourselves, we would have lived and died as poor, wicked, covetous wretches, foolishly chasing vain riches and pleasures, like the prodigal son who spent all and ended up in a pigsty.

What grace it is to be chosen in Christ, redeemed and justified before God by His righteous obedience unto death, and called effectually by the Spirit to Him! Now, having ALL in Him, we lack nothing pertaining to our salvation and eternal well-being. Paul expressed this in Colossians 2:10: “And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power…” Everything Paul had strived to obtain in his former religion, he now counted as dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ (Philippians 3:8). Therefore, Paul could declare, as do all of God’s children when Christ is revealed in them: “I have all, and abound: I am full…” There is nothing more the child of God needs or wants.

Being Christ’s, our wealth lies in “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). Our greatest treasure is found in the LORD Jesus Christ and all that He is and has done for us to make us “heirs of God and joint heirs with Him” (Romans 8:17). Having all things in Christ does not mean a life of ease. Our contentment lies in knowing that, no matter the hardships, temptations, and trials we may face, as the apostle Paul did, we can still say: “I have all things and abound: I am full.”

Christ is All in all. He is made unto us “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). In Christ, we have everything we need. Yes, our sinful flesh may crave more, but the Spirit of Christ in us causes us to crave Him more than our flesh might ever do to draw us away. “For all things are yours; and ye are Christ’s” (1 Corinthians 3:21).