Philippians 1

To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain

I have to start off this section by saying this is tough! It’s not that the scripture is hard to understand, it’s just hard to live by. Here Paul is in chains, yet he lives in such a way that Christ is exalted. He is imprisoned, yet he rejoices in the fact that the gospel is advanced because of it. He is confident in the Lord. and renewed by the prayers of the church. He is suffering, yet he is full of joy. As I contemplate suffering – which is promised by the way – the words joy and rejoicing are not the first to come to mind. But this is what suffering as a believer in Jesus for the sake of the gospel is all about. Rejoicing, even in trials and even through our suffering. Learning what the phrase “to live is Christ and to die is gain” really means. If we believe that God is with us and He is in control, how can we be anything else but full of joy even through the toughest times in our lives? We do not walk alone, for God promises to be with us to the end of the age.

I recently had a former student of mine die of cancer. She had endured a long road of treatment and at the end of it the doctor said it didn’t work. In fact, he told her she probably had about one week to live. I’m not sure how I would react to that. My hope is that I would react as she did. You see, she had lived her life in joy and so nothing really changed when she found it was time to die. She had been a teacher and her joy captivated and inspired her students. When she found out she had cancer, she decided to live life in joy instead of fear. During chemo, her joy inspired everyone around her and several people got through their treatment because of her joy. Her last two weeks (yes, she extended that one week death sentence) was filled with even more joy. She laughed, she cried and she loved. She lived out her last days in joy and spread it around to all of us. Her final facebook videos showed us the life of joy she had been living all along. She understood that she didn’t walk alone.

Vs. 12-14 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

If anyone exemplified James 1:2-4 it was Paul. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Here he is in prison, and instead of moaning and groaning, he is joyful because the gospel has been advanced and the confidence of other believers has been strengthened. His faith was tested and he still perseveres so his faith is strengthen to maturity. He is in prison, yet he lacks nothing. How many of us would have the same mindset? It is so much easier to complain when things don’t go as planned, or when they get hard. This past couple of years has been like that for the whole world. Many plans changed, jobs, money, homes, and even some possessions were lost, vacations were canceled, many became sick and some even died. It was a year that led to a lot of hoarding, complaints and misery. Yet, James reminds us to consider it pure joy when we face trials and Paul agrees. I have to admit, I have been amongst the complainers at times. I haven’t always looked at this past couple of years in joy. Yet, this is what God wants from us. So I need to rethink how I face this continuing trial. I have to ask myself, “how can I allow this trial to produce the faith that produces perseverance and maturity?” I can look back and see ways in which I had opportunities to further the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some I took and some I didn’t. Paul’s testimony reminds me that it doesn’t matter what circumstances you find yourself in, the key is to always look for what God is doing and join him in it. Take advantage of the unique opportunities the trial may give you to be joyful in all things.

Vs. 15-18a It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

There are always going to be people out there who do things out of a desire to be noticed. Do you know anyone like that? I do, and Paul did as well. There were those who were actually glad he was imprisoned because it meant they could get all the recognition and pull people into their “camp”. Then, there are those people who truly want to make a difference in the world. They don’t care about the accolades. They just want to be a true light in the darkness. Here is what Paul says – it doesn’t matter what their motivation is as long as the gospel is preached. If they get more recognition, so what. This really shows Paul’s true character. He is not concerned about the other person’s motive. He allows God to deal with this. No, he wants the gospel to be spread, so instead of being upset, he rejoices. As I contemplate this, I have to search my own life. What are my motivations? Do I want the recognition and admiration or am I a person of goodwill? And, do I rejoice when others get the recognition as long as Christ is preached? I wish I could always say yes to that last question. Let’s not be concerned about other’s motives, only that the gospel is spread. God will take care of everything else. Let’s instead live like Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!”

Vs. 18b-26 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Paul starts this section off with rejoicing once again – it is obviously the theme of this book.!! But what is he rejoicing in this time? The prayers of the church and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter what happens to him – life or death – only that Christ will be exalted. Paul has taken a page from the book of Daniel (actually a couple pages) and applied it to his own life! Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar and the penalty was death in a fiery furnace. This is what they said, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They were certain that God would be exalted either way – life or death. Daniel had a similar experience, except this time the penalty was the lion’s den. Once again, God was exalted in the land. Paul does not know if he will live or die, yet he trusts that God will do what is best. He sums it up this way, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Either way, God is getting the recognition and the glory.

To live is Christ and to die is gain. Do we believe that? Do I believe that? I have to ask myself – am I living my life right now as Christ would have me live? Do I have the mind of Christ in all I do? But most of all – do I live my life as if dying would be gain? This is how Daniel lived his life. God was always in control and he didn’t worry about tomorrow or if the lions would tear him to pieces. He trusted that God knew what was best and willingly put himself in a position to be used by God to see His kingdom exalted. And this is how Paul lived his life.

Vs. 27-30 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Whatever happens, the main thing is that we continue to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand”, Ephesians 4:13. This is where Paul is, standing. And that is what he asks of the Philippians church – to stand firm in the one Spirit in unity (striving together as one). No matter what happens, do not fear because you will be saved by God. There will be struggles, but you will withstand them because Christ is with you. I believe this is a message we need to hear today. There are a lot of struggles in the world right now. Not only the pandemic, but other struggles that are trying to tear our churches and believers apart. There is a disunity in the church right now and we are focusing on things that do not matter to the kingdom of God. There are many who are trying to get noticed – and not for the right things. These are only things that will continue to divide us and take our eyes off of God’s purpose. But if we walk in a manner worthy of the gospel – if we stand firm in our faith – then it will not matter if they revile us or hate us – there will be those who will come to know Christ because of our stand. Just remember – You are not alone for He is always with you. Rejoice!