Hi again everyone, hope all of you had a great week. I am reading through Philippians for my devotions now. I read this a few days ago, and God brought me back there this morning. I was contemplating what to write about, and God brought me to a specific section of Philippians chapter 1.
Philippians 1:21-30
This is such an amazing passage, it is such a jewel. I read this passage on Wednesday, and this morning I was in a panic on what to write, I was not sure what would be best. I gave up thinking after a while and decided to read my devotions for today. As I was flipping through Philippians, I came to this passage and the first verse of the passage just jumped out at me. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Wow what a bold statement of faith. I immediately knew what I was going to share with you all today.
Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Philippi; this was a letter of joy. It is amazing to know that this letter of joy, Paul's letter of joy was written while Paul was in prison. When you understand the circumstances that Paul was faced with while writing this letter, you find yourself wondering how Paul could express such joy when faced with such a bleak situation. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." What does this mean how does it apply?
Paul understood what this meant and he reveals it to us. Verse two states: "If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me." To live is Christ; to go on living would mean fruitful labor for Paul. This meant that for Paul living meant developing eternal values, and to share the gospel of Christ to others. For Christ alone can only save them from their sin. How does this apply to us? As believers should it not be the same for us, should we not live for Christ. We should be focusing on the eternal, and on being God's hands and feet. We should be sharing the gospel with those around us. We should be showing them Christ through our lives.
To die is gain, what did this mean for Paul. For Paul death would have been much better than living. Why we ask? Because in death we are removed from all worldly troubles, and we see Christ face-to-face. What a glorious day that will be! Death is gain, no more pain, temptation, disappointment. Our death is a cause for celebration. This is why death is gain, not only for Paul but for every believer.
Paul's whole purpose in life was to speak out boldly for Christ and to become more like Him. If as believers we are not ready to die, are we ready to live? We must make certain of our eternal destiny; for when we do we will be free to serve. To fully serve, devoting our lives to what really matters; without fear of death. For to die is gain.
Matthew Henry in his commentary stated this:
"1. It is the undoubted character of every good Christian that to him to live is Christ. The glory of Christ ought to be the end of our life, the grace of Christ the principle of our life, and the word of Christ the rule of it. The Christian life is derived from Christ, and directed to him. He is the principle, rule, and end of it.
2. All those to whom to live is Christ to them to die will be gain: it is great gain, a present gain, everlasting gain. Death is a great loss to a carnal worldly man; for he loses all his comforts and all his hopes: but to a good Christian it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery and the perfection of his comforts and accomplishment of his hopes; it delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings him to the possession of the chief good. Or, To me to die is gain."`
Paul was torn he struggled with what to do. "Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." Paul wanted so much to leave this world, to be with our Lord. But yet he knew that he was needed. What a great view of humility, Paul lays aside his own desire, a desire that should be burning in the hearts of all believers. The desire to be with Jesus. He laid that aside, to remain in this world, to remain in all the worlds trouble's for the sake of others. That is a true showing of humility.
"Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." What was Paul talking about? Paul knew in confidence that he was supposed to remain with the believers, to help them progress in faith. To help them know Christ more, and to experience a greater joy in Him.
Matthew Henry states:
"1. What a great confidence Paul had in the divine Providence, that it would order all for the best to him.
2. Whatsoever is best for the church, we may be sure God will do. If we know what is needful for building up the body of Christ, we may certainly know what will be; for he will take care of its interests, and do what is best, all things considered, in every condition it is in.
4. What promotes our faith and joy of faith is very much for our furtherance in the way to heaven. The more faith the more joy, and the more faith and joy the more we are furthered in our Christian course."
"Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you to only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel." Paul is encouraging us as believers to stand firm, to be unified. It takes a courageous body of believers to resist fighting and struggling, and to all maintain the common purpose of serving Christ. As believers Paul is encouraging us to stand firm, and to stand unified, as one man contending for the faith of the gospel.
"without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God. For is has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him." Paul considered it a privelege to suffer for Christ. We by nature do not consider suffering a privilege. Yet when we suffer, if we faithfully serve Christ, our message and example affects us and others for good (Acts 5:41). Suffering takes our eyes off of earthly comforts; it helps weed out superficial believers. It strengthens the faith of those who endure. It serves as an example to those who follow us. When we suffer in our faith it does not mean that we are doing something wrong. More often it verifies that we are being faithful. Suffering is a great means of building in us the character of Christ.
"since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear I still have." Paul is encouraging believers, as he throughout his life had suffered for the sake of Christ. We are in a conflict with all those who would discredit the saving message of Christ. All true believers are in this together. We should stand united against the enemy, fighting for a common cause. Paul is not encouraging us to seek suffering. But we should not forget those who suffer. We do not have to seek suffering; it will come our way at times. Just as the world was against Christ, so will those of the world be against us.
So in order to have the true attitude and virtue of Christ that Paul had. We must follow what Paul has shown us. We must live, seeking eternal values, and proclaiming the gospel of Christ. We must not fear death, for to us death should be gain. We should be united, striving forward together for a common purpose; for the spread of the gospel. We should encourage others to remain united as well. We need to understand that suffering in the name of Christ is a privilege, and that many before us have suffered as we do. And many to come will suffer as we have, and that we should help one another in our sufferings. We need to stand firm rooted in the gospel, fighting together against the enemy.
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Until next time
God bless you all
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2 comments:
It's awesome to hear what you've been learning, even to know that you are learning, because so few seem disciplined in that regard. My favorite part of what you posted was the last paragraph. What a beautiful vision of the church and what it should look like. Practically speaking, what role does the individual play in that vision? How can we as Christians influence the church in that direction?
Great questions Josh, I am seeking full answers to these myself. The role I would see individuals playing in this vision would be much like what is currently happening in many churches. I see individuals using their gifts for God. I see them discipling one another. Things like that but often times those things can cause disunity. Take music for example, people have particular tastes. So this question is something I am seeking a fuller answer to. As to the second question I cannot see a Christian alone influencing the church as a whole. I see the church moving in this direction slowly. The way I see it would be a group of believers showing unity, then their church decides to stand united. Other churches will see this and follow along, and stand united with them. And so on so fourth. This will take alot of time, but I think it will be progressive. The most we can do is promote it and get others to follow Paul`s teaching. Hopefully it will produce a nice snowball effect, and eventually spread like wildfire. But the most important thing that anyone can do for anything is pray about it. God`s hands will guide everyone and everything to where He pleases. Thanks for these questions they have challenged me to think about these things and to seek a fuller answer.
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