Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
Philippians 1:27-28
Context:
Paul is in prison and writing to the Philippian church and yet the letter contains repeated commands to rejoice. This joy-filled later by Paul is based on the revelation that Jesus was the actual prize and not circumstances.
Why it matters:
For us, we have so many things fighting for our attention, our loyalty and our worship, but as Paul demonstrates, our life is meant to be built on Jesus, not things. What is the source of our joy? Is it ease? Comfort? Material blessings? Or our we joyful because Jesus is being made famous through us in our patient endurance?
Our True Deliverance
- In verse 19, Paul says that he will rejoice in knowing that he will experience his deliverance
- While he had a physical deliverance from prison in mind, he’s also heavily speaking to the fact that he will be delivered from his suffering once and for all and will experience true liberty even if he dies
- What Paul highlights for us is that the most important deliverance we experience is not from difficult circumstance, but from the rule and reign of sin itself, which is why the gospel going forth matters so much
To Live is Christ
- Paul says that to live is Christ and that this living in the flesh is marked by fruitful labor
- That fruitful labor is marked by his helping others to grow in their faith
- Paul’s live was committed to helping people grow in their faith and walk with Jesus
- When contemplating the option to go be with Jesus or stay on earth and continue to “labor”, his wanting to stay was for the sake of the betterment of people in their spiritual maturity and development. Do we have this same motivation in our labor? Is the most important work we do for our own desires or for the spiritual growth of others?
To Die is Gain
- Paul doesn’t fear death because he sees death as “far better” than living - this is due to the fact that in death, he gets to be with Jesus face-to-face
- However, what is evident by Paul’s desire to be with Jesus in eternity is because of what he’s experienced of Jesus in his time on earth
- Paul has learned how to be with Jesus in a way that makes it so desirable to leave this earth behind and be with Him forever
- How are we curating a relationship with Jesus, now, in a way that allows us to experience the joy He offers?
Dinner Party Questions
- Is what you’re believing God to do centered around your personal desires or His desires?
- Paul called his life a life of ‘fruitful labor’. Who are you currently investing in spiritually?
- How are you making space to connect with Jesus in a deep and personal way each day?
