Thursday, June 3, 2021

Philippians 1:20

Philippians 1:20 says, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  Paul said that his earnest desire was to be ashamed in nothing in his Christian life.  He said that he wanted the boldness to live by faith in Jesus Christ so that everything he did would magnify Christ, either by the way he lived or by the way he died.  We need that same faith and attitude today.  As followers of Christ, we should never be ashamed to proclaim the gospel of Christ and to live, or die if necessary, so that whatever we do will glorify God.  Verse twenty-one adds, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  Paul then said that if he lived, it would be for doing the will of Christ, and if he died it would be his gain.  Paul wasn't in a hurry to die, since as long as he lived, he could witness to others about Jesus Christ.  He also said that if he died that he would gain everlasting life, which would be better than anything this world has to offer.  We as Christians should live for God's glory, knowing that if we die for our faith, or simply die, that it is not the end, but the beginning of our everlasting life with nothing between God and us.  Verse twenty-two continues, But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  I believe that Paul was saying if the choice was his between living and continuing to suffer for his faith or dying and enjoying his heavenly home with Christ that he did not know which he would choose, but he knew the choice was not his.  The choice is not ours today either.  As long as God leaves us in this life, no matter how bad things may get, we are to live to glorify Him, and when we die, we will be with Him forever. We simply have to remain faithful, and we win either way.  Verse twenty-three declares, For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  Paul said that he was in a strait, or having a hard time deciding what was best.  He said he had a desire to be with Christ, which was better and meant that Paul had to die.  We may at times feel that we would rather go on to be with Christ than to continue in the pain and struggles of this world below.  Verse twenty-four adds, Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  Paul then added that to continue to live was beneficial to those that he shared the gospel with, so that was what put him in a strait between choosing life or death.  That is why he simply left it up to God, as we must today.  Verse twenty-five continues, And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;  Paul said that he had confidence that he would continue to abide, or live, for the benefit of those that he was witnessing to.  We as followers of Christ should see life as a time that God gives us to share the gospel with others and to edify other Christians.  Verse twenty-six concludes, That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.  Paul said that his returning to the Christians at Philippi would help them grow in faith in Jesus Christ.  I don't believe that Paul was saying that he was morally superior to the Christians at Philippi, but that he could share with them the truth of God's word as the worshipped together.  We should benefit from worship with other believers and should help those who are younger in faith to grow in Christ.  Verse twenty-seven states, Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  Paul told them to stand fast in the gospel and let their conversation reflect their faith.  Paul said that the things that they said should be in accordance with the gospel, so that whether he got to return to see them or not that he would hear of their good works for Christ and that they were united in spreading the gospel.  This should be what people say about us today as Christians.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.  Paul told them that they should not be terrified by anything that the people of the world might do to them because of their faith.  He also said that the actions of those who opposed Christians would be to their perdition, or coming punishment, but it would be to the Christian as evidence of their salvation.  We have no reason to live in fear today if we are followers of Christ and are obedient to God's will.  Verse twenty-nine continues, For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;  Paul said that their salvation given by Christ also called on them to suffer with Him.  He did not promise them material wealth and happiness, but suffering with Christ because of their faith.  Christianity is not about earthly things, but about heavenly things.  Verse thirty concludes, Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.  Paul said he knew that they might have the same conflict that he had about living or dying.  We as followers of Christ today may likewise know that we will be better off after we die because we will be with God forever, but we also need to know that as long as we live we need to witness for Christ and uplift one another.

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