Facing death with confidence ∙
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21
Philippians 1:19-27
19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
21 For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better.
22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.
23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.
24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.
26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.
When the Japanese invaded China in the late 1930s, Dr. William Wallace was a medical missionary in Wuzhou, China. He was responsible for Stout Memorial Hospital and determined to provide care for patients in South China for as long as possible.
His selfless work of love and care had a remarkable impact. The Chinese people had negative feelings towards foreigners in their country, but Dr. Wallace’s dedication began to change their minds. They had heard foreign missionaries preach sermons before, but they had never witnessed someone living out their beliefs in such a profound way. Dr. Wallace became a living sermon, and he won their respect and admiration not only for his medical skills but also for his unwavering commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The situation in China went from bad to worse. The Japanese were eventually driven out, but the Chinese communists soon took over. Dr. Wallace’s life and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ went against everything the Communists stood for, and he was quickly arrested and accused of being a spy. Despite this, he remained calm and clear-headed, “We are what we seem to be. We are doctors and, nurses and hospital staff engaged in healing the suffering and sick in the name of Jesus Christ. We are here for no other reason.”
“Bill Wallace was a Jesus-intoxicated man” (Daniel Akin). As people visited him, he encouraged them, “Go back and take care of the hospital. I am ready to give my life if necessary.”
In less than two months, Wallace was in the presence of the Father. His earthly grave was left unmarked. But those who loved and respected him placed a marker at the site which read, “For me to live is Christ (Philippians 1:21).”
Paul’s words reflect his deep devotion, enabling him to face trials, mistreatment, beatings, danger, and martyrdom. He was enabled by the Holy Spirit and the continual prayers of the children of the King (Philippians 1:19).
REFLECT & PRAY
“Paul did not want to do great things for God; He wanted God to do great things in and through him. His goal was to serve as the hands and feet and mouth of Christ, doing in Christ’s power what Christ would do” (Stanley).
Father I want to be intoxicated with the Lord Jesus Christ. I desire to be deeply filled with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. By my life and words, I want to seem to be what You dream for me to be.
INSIGHT
Paul’s apprehension appears paradoxical, even incongruent, given his deep commitment, selfless service, and notable achievements. “Paul did not want to feel ashamed when he stood before the Lord at His judgment seat” (Constable).
Philippians 1:20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
In Greek, “apokaradokia” means earnest expectation or intense longing. Apokaradokia is “made up of three words, ‘away, the head, to watch.’ It describes a person with head erect and outstretched, whose attention is turned away from all other objects and riveted upon just one . . .. It is that concentrated, intense hope which ignores other interests and strains forward as with outstretched head, that was Paul’s attitude of heart” (Wuest).
This word suggests a fervently held expectation and hope with a strong belief in its fulfillment (Romans 8:19). Paul’s passionate hope is a confident expectation that he will be ashamed of nothing.
In making this declaration, Paul embodies the universal experience of every believer. He confronts the same persistent self-doubt that we all face. As we grow closer to understanding and experiencing the holiness, righteousness, purity, beauty, and sheer magnificence of the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, we begin to feel as though we are moral and spiritual paupers in comparison.
Paul was a super apostle because of the Father’s grace and favor and the power of the Holy Spirit working through him. Consequently, he worked harder than any of the other apostles.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me – and Not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.
But rather than seeing himself as a great saint, Paul saw himself as a great sinner – the greatest of all sinners.
1 Timothy 1:15 “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all.
But he had absolutely no fear of dying. For children of the King, death is not the end but the beginning of our time with our Father. We simply go home to the Father’s house, which He has prepared for us (John 14:6). We depart to be with the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:23).
This is precisely what the Lord Jesus Christ told the believing thief, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
Paul is torn. He is ambivalent and in anguish about whether to stay or go. Of course, the choice is not his but the Father’s alone.
Philippians 1:21-24
21 For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better.
22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.
23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.
24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
Is what we claim to be what we seem to be?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 2-13-2
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 