In Philippians Paul is writing about the Christian’s
philosophy of life. He is the living
example of how the power of God can be demonstrated in human frailty. He is writing from a prison in Rome. His imprisonment, however, has not dampened
his enthusiasm for serving the LORD! In fact that zeal has been accelerated as
his testimony in prison had touched those within as well as encouraged those
without. His attitude is positive. But there is something about being in a
place like this that turns your thoughts to the more serious issues of life and
death. Of course being the center of
controversy as Paul was, perhaps he lived under the constant shadow of
death. In 1:19-26 he opens up his heart
to the Philippians and shares something of his life and death perspective. He shares with us in four areas to help us
relate to the seriousness of life and the inevitability of death.
Note
in verse 19 Paul expresses a conviction that he would be released from his
present imprisonment (cf. v. 24). We
are not told how he knew this. Perhaps
he was convinced that his course for the LORD
was not yet finished (cf. II Timothy 4:6,7 where he states that he had finished
his course and he was convinced that his home going was imminent). Note that this physical deliverance would
come about through the intercessory prayers of the Philippians as energized by
the Holy Spirit (Jude 20).
He
says, “That Christ may be magnified in my body.” Paul was not ashamed (Romans 1:16,17). He had a message he could be proud of. Magnified can mean “to make larger, to cause to be prominent, to
project greatly (John 3:30). Paul
refused to conceal Christ but was determined to reveal Christ. Note Paul’s emphasis on the body. The body is a vehicle of expression – the
physical channel of the expression of the total personality.
In
Life – If
Paul is acquitted he will continue his apostolic labors in representing Jesus
Christ to men. Christians are to be
“living letters known and read by all men” (II Corinthians 3:2). As we are permitted to continue in this
earthly existence, our lives are to exalt Jesus Christ. This includes our attitudes, our values and
our zeal for the things of God. This is
the sole purpose for our being here on earth.
In Death - If, on the other hand, he was condemned to death,
he will go to be with his Lord with unswerving faith and with a song in his
heart.
The
Confidence With Which He Faces Death (v.21)
We
can have this confidence.
Paul said, “to me to live is Christ – to die is gain.” What does he mean by this statement? For me to live is for others to see Christ. For me to die is for me to see Christ. Paul did not face death with fear. He knew his sins were forgiven and what God had started in time He would complete. He faced death with unswerving confidence. What a value system Paul had! Do you understand that if you are a believer death is gain, an advantage? It is to be released from the encumbrances of mortality with all of its pain and weakness and to be in His presence.
For the unbeliever just the opposite is true. Death is man’s most feared enemy! We try to avoid death at all costs. Death to the unbeliever is the loss of all things! If you do not know Jesus as Savior - (1) Life is gain – we struggle to live. Life is everything (I heard that a man once offered a doctor one million dollars for six months extension of life), (2) Death is loss - death is vast disadvantage. Death takes us away from everything.
BUT FOR THE CHRISTIAN – it is different. Life is to be treasured. We are to seek to live life skillfully and get the most out of it but we realize that, at best, this life is transitory. Measured by eternity this life is but a second, a vapor (contrast the brevity of life with the timelessness of eternity. James 4:14). It amounts to this: (a) for the unbeliever – an eternity without God. (b) for the believer, an eternity with Christ.
How do you look at life and death today? I believe it is wise that all of us should examine our perspectives. We will conclude this subject in our next pen pulpit. Until then, God bless.