Light Brings Salt
Volume 2, Issue 19 May 16, 2004
Dedicated to the
Systematic Exposition of the Word of God
Living is Christ!
As we join Paul in Philippians 1:20-21 we find Paul imprisoned in Rome,
chained to a praetorian guard 24 hours a day while awaiting his trial. Under these very trying conditions we
discover Paul's thinking and objectives.
All Christ centered just as ours should be also.
Notice what he says in 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope,
that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be
exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (NASB)
"..according to my earnest expectation and hope,.." No matter what the outcome of the present situation
whether he lives, which is his expectation, or whether he dies, promoted face
to face he has one "earnest
expectation and hope."
These two words are two aspects of the same concept that molds his
thinking and convictions.
Earnest expectation avpokaradoki,a refers to an intense expectation, an earnest watching; an
alertness. The idea is to stretch out the head to concentrate on something to
the exclusion of all other things around you. While hope elpij refers to the expectant confidence that one can have with the
Truth of the Word of God being the basis of life.
Paul's immediate
focus here is on his appearance before the Court, that he will acquit himself
well, not for any personal gain, but that Christ might be exalted and the
gospel advanced. Paul knew what his priority was to be, what was important
therefore he was not as concerned with what might happen to him but what would
be the result, or the impact of what he would do knowing that it would stand as
a testimony for his Lord.
Secondary in his thinking would be his appearing before the
Judgment Seat of Christ, sincere and blameless having acquitted himself
honorably in the present situation as noted in
The main idea is
not an emotion, the feeling of shame as a painful emotion but one of disappointment.
Biblically the one who is not ashamed is the person whose trust is not
misplaced and who therefore is never disillusioned or disappointed by that
trust. The point is that when God and His Word is the center of one's hope you
will never be put to shame. Example: Rom
5:5 "..hope does not disappoint."
"..but that with all boldness.."
-The word boldness = parrhsi,a is used to refer to speaking boldly, frankly, with
assurance and courage even in a hostile
environment that he will not be
frustrated as to what to reply or how to
make the point needed as he faced the Roman authorities. This is something Paul requested to be an
item for prayer on his behalf earlier in this imprisonment. (Eph 6:18-20)
Reason for the bold speaking.
"...Christ
shall even now as always be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."
To "be
exalted" megalu,nw means to make large, to magnify,
to exalt. The passive voice says the subject, here Christ, receives the action
of the verb, being magnified, exalted. The important
point here is to recognize that Paul is not
saying that he will exalt Christ but that Christ will be exalted in his body,
by the actions taken.
He is not relying
on his own courage, boldness, ability but on the empowering ministry of the
Holy Spirit working through him which would produce this result as he deals
daily with the many and varied pressure situations he faced.
Paul's attitude
which ever way it goes.
The words "to me" are in the emphatic
position which places great emphasis on them. He is saying by doing that, as
far as he is concerned it doesn't matter what others may think, it makes no
difference, my conviction, my faith is unshaken regardless of the outcome. No adverse
decision from the court nor the alarm of his friends
could alter his firm, rock solid belief about his present or his future in
Christ. This should be the case for each of us!
To live is Christ,
to die is gain (his desire in vs:23-24) This could be
translated; living is Christ, dying is gain.
This attitude should be the thinking for all believers but only finds
its reality in those who are truly focused on Christ and living out the Word.
For
Paul Christ was the hub around which the wheel of his life revolved. He understood that life only
finds real meaning in Christ. This is summed up by Paul in Gal 2:20
In what way then is
living Christ for Paul?
1. Living is Christ
because He is the source of life. Col. 3:4
2. Living is Christ
because He is the motivation for all that Paul does. Col. 3:17
3. Living is Christ
because He is the pattern of Paul's thinking. Phil 2:5
We are to emulate His thinking;
our actions follow thinking; change in
our life results from change in our thinking.
4. Living is Christ
because He is the hope of Paul's
life. Phil 3:21
When he is the hope of life it
impacts ones daily living; Titus
5. Living is Christ
because He is the focus of Paul's life. Phil 1:21
Christ has truly
become the motive for his life therefore it is seen in his actions, in the
goals of his life and
his ministry. Paul is only able to do this because the source of
his strength is supernatural. That is Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Powerful
force! The very same provision that you have!!
Observations on verse 21
1. If we are to be
able to say along with Paul, For to me, to live is
Christ, and to die is gain, for this to be a reality in our life then we
must make DVPT, the Word of God a priority in our thinking.
2. To be occupied
with the person of Jesus Christ is to be occupied with His thinking. They go
together, can't be separated, can't have one with out
the other).
3. It is doctrine
in your thinking that will properly relate you to the Person of Jesus Christ.
4. Paul recognizes
that it is Christ alone that gives meaning to life. When that relationship is
right, your connected to the vine and growing then all
other relationships in your life will be enhanced.
5. For Paul and for the believer "...the process of living is Christ"
[present tense]. For Paul this meant to
know Him, to love Him, to serve Him and to suffer for Him. 2 Cor 11:16-30; 12:9b-10
- everyone's niche
will be different;
- you'll not face the floggings, shipwreck,
etc. that Paul faced but you will face difficulties, CHP's,
living in a sin cursed world, circumstances, that will challenge you related to
your spiritual priorities, the choices that you need to make.
6. "...the act of dying is gain."
- Death held none of the negative associations
for Paul that it does for most people.
- Most live in fear of death which puts them in
slavery. Heb. 2:15
7. He recognizes that death is a bridge between
two distinctive expressions of life.
- death where is your
sting; victory is in Lord Jesus Christ! 1 Cor
8. It is the end of
our life here but is the beginning of a new and glorious life in heaven. Paul
knew that it would put him into the presence of the one who is His life.
9. Here is the
situation we find here. Heaven was such a reality to Paul that He could not
wait to see Christ, face-to-face, to be in His presence and enjoy all the
glories of heaven forever.
10. Paul wasn't in
prison hoping to be set free so he could live longer.
11. Whether he
lived or died he could rejoice in either eventuality.
- He does have a preference but leaves the
choice with God where it belongs!! (Phil. 1:23-24)
12. Death is gain
for the Christian but unbearable, eternal loss for the Unbeliever.
13. At physical death the soul and the human spirit departs the body and
immediately enters into the presence of our Lord 2 Cor
5:1-9.
14. Only BD and spiritual growth will change your
outlook on life and death.
15. When we are rightly related to Christ and
Christ is the center of our life, everything else falls into proper
perspective.
- It is so easy though to become complacent and
neglect the most important things, those things that matter spiritually.
- Everything in our culture is attempting to
squeeze us into its mold, and to change our focus and priorities. Lk. 12:15
16. The question is: What is it for you?? Is it like Paul??
- Or is it for me
to live is .
Anything but Christ.