Disciples have a tug of war going on inside of them. This daily devotion looks at how disciples should do God’s work and long for eternity.
Nuggets
- Regardless of the circumstances, Paul was devoted to the Christ of the gospel which he preached.
- Paul struggled with wanting to end this life and start eternal life.
- Paul assured the Philippians that they shouldn’t worry about the outcome of his imprisonment.
Devotions in the Joy in the Gospel series
Paul was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote the Philippians. It may have been because of this that his thoughts drifted to his death.
It didn’t matter to Paul. Living or dying, he was going to serve His King.
Let's Put It into Context #1
Here is a running list of what we’ve discussed previously.
Let's Put It into Context #2
“My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1: 20 CSB)
Paul had expectations that he wanted fulfilled. Paul would not deviate from God’s laws and commandments.
Those created expectations. Paul expected Jesus to use him to magnify Himself.
When was Paul expected Jesus to be magnified? All the time, regardless of the circumstances. Even if the circumstances included death.
Most of all, Paul expected all of us to magnify Jesus by accepting the salvation He offers. We magnify Him as we navigate the Sanctification Road and become perfect.
We also magnify Jesus as we work in our ministry. Even our sufferings magnify Him.
As partners (Phil. 1: 5), Paul expected the prayers of the Philippians, so he did not ask for them. He knew they were praying for him.
Paul hooked his expectations to hope. Hope is the expectation, also called a living hope, based on the confidence that, because of our relationship with God, our names will be found in the book of life.
We magnify Jesus in death when we don’t fear it. We don’t cling inordinately to this life but completely trust that God knows what is best for us — even taking us out of this world.
Living or Dying for Christ
“For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1: 21 CSB)
Regardless of the circumstances, Paul was devoted to the Christ of the gospel which he preached.
Is Paul dedicated to Christ or what?! Whatever happened, Paul wanted it be for the glory of God.
It all came down to Paul’s attitude. He gave God control of his life. That meant whenever God chose to end Paul’s physical life, he was good with that.
Why? Maclaren said it best. He wrote that Paul’ theory of live was, “In all senses in which you can use the words, Christ is this man’s life.”
Did you see that? Maclaren meant, in all aspects of Paul’s life, Christ was the priority.
Paul did not hold anything back to keep control of it himself. Plus, what he did give God control over, He gave him complete control.
Maclaren called life Paul’s field of work. I like that.
It shows that Paul did have a responsibility in his life. He had work to do.
It also shows that, truly, Paul’s life was not his own.
God wants this to be our attitude. Put Him squarely in control and praise Him no matter the circumstances.
The Struggle between Living and Dying for Christ
“Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ — which is far better — but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake” (Phil. 1: 22-24 CSB)
Paul struggled with wanting to end this life and start eternal life.
Don’t think it was easy for the Energizer Bunny for God. Even he was pulled by ties to the physical world.
We have to remember that Paul was in prison in Rome. This was like the appellate court. There was no appeal after this.
If they chose to execute him, Paul’s physical life was over. That was definitely a possibility for the sentence.
Remember, too, what all has been through. Second Corinthians 11: 24-27 gives a good rundown of everything Paul faced.
“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked” (II Cor. 11: 24-27 NIV).
It would have been understandable if even the Energizer Bunny for God gave up.
Paul didn’t give up, but he struggled. He knew he had more to offer the Philippians and others — and us — even though he didn’t know about us.
But Paul was also pulled by the ties of Jesus. Maclaren wrote, “To be with Christ that is the attraction. He draws us, and we run after Him. This is no morbid, sentimental desire for death arising out of hatred with life.”
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Think about it. Paul would finally see Jesus face to face. He would get to see His glory. All the promises found all throughout Scriptures would come to fruition.
What were these promises?
- Eternity in Heaven
- Complete access to God and Jesus
- No more disease, pain, or death
Contrast that with this life.
I bet Paul was tired. He had been converted in 34 AD. It was now 62 AD. That is 28 years that he had been working to promote the gospel.
Paul had to have been ready for a break.
Geden contended that it is a very human thing to shrink from the pain and uncertainty of death. He said that was okay. He wrote, “Such a sense of future blessedness as should spoil earth for us is nowhere encouraged in Scripture; it would be incompatible with our duty to God and man, and in many cases it is desirable for others that we should stay.”
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Unfortunately, it can include a lack of faith. Some cling to this life and refuse to acknowledge God’s sovereignty over them.
Arnot argued that Paul wasn’t expecting to go to purgatory. He believed he was heading straight to see Jesus.
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One thing we have to realize is Paul’s desire to stay was still based on the spiritual. He wanted to stay so he could win more people to Christ.
Disciples should say as Paul did, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1: 21 CSB).
We need men strong in their faith, as Paul was.
Paul had to weight the good of the brethren against his desire to see Jesus in His glory. Basically, the decision Paul came up with was to serve God here on earth until he was called home, whenever that would be.
Arnot made an interesting point. He thought that, when we become a new creation, part of it is learning to balance the tugs from both sides.
Both are needed because we should be content — even excited — about the work God is asking us to do in this life. But we are to long for a life with Jesus in eternity.
I think, for many, it all boils down to how we react when we are going to be transitioning from this life to the next. Which, then, has the greatest pull?
Living for Others
“Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound” (Phil. 1: 25-26 CSB)
Paul assured the Philippians that they shouldn’t worry about the outcome of his imprisonment.
This first chapter of Philippians seems to be written to comfort in the Philippians. They knew Paul was in prison. They didn’t know what the outcome would be.
Paul reassured them. I am going to keep on keeping on. Maclaren wrote that Paul’s attitude was, “Stick to your tasks, and in God’s time you will have rest and reward.”
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It is through God’s grace that we live and not die. It is through God’s grace that we leave this life and begin our eternal lives with Him.
Making the Connections
What throws some non-believers is the fact that God is a spirit. So, we have the seen and the unseen worlds.
It may be better to focus on the temporary and the permanent. This world, though it is seen, is going to end. It won’t be because of global warming.
This world will end because God has said it will. “Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them” (Rev. 20: 11 CSB).
That will usher in the start of eternity. That is permanent. We have go either one of two places.
- Those who have ABCDed will live with God in Heaven.
- Those who haven’t will live in hell.
To read a devotion in the Hell Does Have Fury series, click on the appropriate button below.
How Do We Apply This?
- Die to self and live for God’s purposes.
- Put Him squarely in control and praise Him no matter the circumstances.
- Set our affections on heavenly things.
- Cleanse ourselves from a guilty conscience (Heb. 10 22).
- Strive to keep our relationships with God solid.
- Look at death as a passage to life.
- Arnot wrote, “Let the love of life remain, only get it so sanctified that at the appointed time it may cease.”
- Realize being a new creation includes balancing the longing for the physical life to complete the work God has for us and the spiritual life of longing to see our Savior.
To read a devotion in the On Things Above series, click on the button below.
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Paul put his complete trust and faith in God and in His plan for his life. Because of that Paul did not fear dying. While he wanted to continue his work for God, Paul also wanted to see his Savior.
Father God. We praise You in that You have plans for our lives. Those plans include our work to expand Your kingdom. Lord, we place our lives in Your hand. Whether we live or die, whatever we do, we want to glorify Your name. Amen.
What do you think?
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