Living Well and Dying Well: Philippians 1:19-21
“19) for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20) according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:19-21
Paul had confidence in his coming freedom. Why? He knew the power of prayer and He knew the ways of the Holy Spirit. That is an amazing combination. And sure enough, church tradition holds that Paul was set free and subsequently arrested again and became a martyr for the sake of the gospel.
His monumental spiritual secret is found in the next two verses. According to verses 20-21, Jesus Christ came to mean more to Paul than life itself! His only goal was that Christ be exalted in him whether it meant life or death. He lived to the glory of God and he was committed to die for the glory of God.
Verse 21 defined the explanation point to the life of the Apostle Paul; “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Persecution, fear and death had lost its grip on Paul. He was a winner with Christ no matter what happened. He had totally surrendered his will to the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom.
These were more than mere words for Paul. They were his reality. Jesus Christ was the source of his bold confidence. Fear of man and fear of death lost its grip on him.
He was like Shadrach, Meshack and Abed-nego in Daniel 3:16-18. The threats of the king and the heat of the fire did not curb their love and commitment to God. The end result was unshakable confidence and courage.
Paul was able to stand alone, look fear and death in the eye and defeat them through his faith. Why? Jesus Christ Himself had become his confidence, joy, peace and hope. He walked with God!
We should settle for nothing less in our own lives. This is the goal of the Christan life and spiritual maturity. This is the point at which the world, the flesh and the devil loose their grip on us! This is the point at which faith becomes sight and glorifying God becomes our only ambition.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“19) for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20) according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:19-21
Paul had confidence in his coming freedom. Why? He knew the power of prayer and He knew the ways of the Holy Spirit. That is an amazing combination. And sure enough, church tradition holds that Paul was set free and subsequently arrested again and became a martyr for the sake of the gospel.
His monumental spiritual secret is found in the next two verses. According to verses 20-21, Jesus Christ came to mean more to Paul than life itself! His only goal was that Christ be exalted in him whether it meant life or death. He lived to the glory of God and he was committed to die for the glory of God.
Verse 21 defined the explanation point to the life of the Apostle Paul; “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Persecution, fear and death had lost its grip on Paul. He was a winner with Christ no matter what happened. He had totally surrendered his will to the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom.
These were more than mere words for Paul. They were his reality. Jesus Christ was the source of his bold confidence. Fear of man and fear of death lost its grip on him.
He was like Shadrach, Meshack and Abed-nego in Daniel 3:16-18. The threats of the king and the heat of the fire did not curb their love and commitment to God. The end result was unshakable confidence and courage.
Paul was able to stand alone, look fear and death in the eye and defeat them through his faith. Why? Jesus Christ Himself had become his confidence, joy, peace and hope. He walked with God!
We should settle for nothing less in our own lives. This is the goal of the Christan life and spiritual maturity. This is the point at which the world, the flesh and the devil loose their grip on us! This is the point at which faith becomes sight and glorifying God becomes our only ambition.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
