Philippians 1:19-26 Living Life in Total Abandonment to God’s Will

Philippians 1:19-26

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Background

Paul expresses his inner most feelings and dilemma to the believers in Philippi. Nowhere else did Paul speaks in such transparent and intimate terms. His thoughts include his desire to be vindicated and Christ honored through his eventual sentencing in the Roman court. At the same time, he expresses his dilemma whether to depart and be freed of physical suffering or to continue to labor with the church for the sake of the gospel. Paul pens his thoughts and deliberations in the matters of life and death, through which he reveals his total abandonment to the will of God and his readiness to die for the truth of the gospel.

Observation

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Paul expresses hope for his eventual vindication while he waits for his trial to unravel. Deliverance here refers to Paul’s future vindication in a Roman court and release from prison. He is certain that the prayers of the Christians and the help of the Spirit will result in the magnification of Christ’s truth whatever the outcome is: always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Paul in full courage has committed his future into God’s hands to do whatever that is needed to honor Christ.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

As Paul’s life hangs in a balance, he ponders his philosophy of life. For to me to live is Christ: His life is a reflection of Christ’s total obedience to the Father and a lifestyle of selfless sacrifice for the good of others. And to die is gain: If he should die, his death becomes an uncompromising testimony of the truth; his refusal to recant his beliefs will certainly impress upon the public the indisputable truth concerning Christ. In a nutshell, Paul endeavors to live a life of total obedience to God that may necessarily include martyrdom; for Christ Himself was martyred for refusing to recant His identity as God’s Son. For Paul, suffering and martyrdom contributes to a gain, in that it emboldens believers for the gospel and substantiates the paramount importance of it.

If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Even though the outcome of the trial does not depend on Paul, he wants to make known his internal deliberations to the believers in Philippi. His considerations seem to revolve around his choice and his sentiments in the absence of divine involvement as opposed to Jesus’ struggle at Geths3mane: Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. Nevertheless, it suggests an agony, a dilemma like that of Christ: His will or the will of the Father. Paul’s will: to depart and be with Christ, which means a release from persecutions and hardships. Or the will according to the principles of a selfless life: to remain and continue with the believers so that they may be beneficiaries of his company. By making known his thoughts and deliberations, Paul draws the believers towards God’s faithful love and at the same time encourages them to leave the matter in the hands of God.

Truth

Our greatest contribution to the course of the gospel is our uncompromising posture towards the truth. The secret to Paul’s success is his uncompromising stance towards the truth. The thrust of the gospel involves turning people from a self-centered life towards a truth-centered life through the regeneration of their hearts. Hence, faith is not just about Jesus’ saving grace but also about a lifestyle of truth. Hence, people will start to respond to the gospel when they see truth in action despite inconveniences and persecutions. The attractiveness of salvation and escape from hell’s condemnation alone does not produce true converts. Only a sincere confession of sin and the desire to reconcile with the God of truth will do.

When the believer dies, his belief becomes indisputable and of paramount importance. When the believer stands by his belief and refuses recant despite the threat of death, his belief is seen as credible. But if he dies for what he believes, his belief becomes indisputable. At the same time, one would only give up his life for something that is more valuable than his own life, something of paramount importance.

People believe what they see, not what they hear. People are inspired into believing because of what they observe in you rather than what you profess to be. Hence, living out the gospel in your daily endeavors is the basis of effective evangelism. When they see your steely integrity and your selfless concern for the interests of others, they are already won over. They will come and ask you, “What do I need to do in order to solve this problem?” … “Could you pray for me that God would help me?” The gospel must first be demonstrated before it can be explained, it must be observed before it becomes believable.

Application

1. What are the situations that cause you to compromise the truth? Do you tend to compromise especially when you are under pressure or when you are enticed? Ask God to help you see the trickeries of the devil and to give you wisdom in fleeing temptations.
2. Be bold to seize opportunities to pray for those who need help. What many non-believers need is a simple encounter with God through your prayer. As you pray for them, God will bring a miracle into their situation and reveal Himself to them.

Dear Lord, strengthen me so that I may stand at the moment of testing. I cast off all fears that come from my imagination and the threats of others. Protect me from challenges that I cannot handle. Use me to be an effective witness of your truth and prosper me in all my endeavors. Use me to pray for others in need so that they may encounter you through power and miracles. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.