Philippians 1:20-23 ESV
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.

CHRIST, MY ALL IN ALL.

One of the most commendable things in Paul’s life is his ‘full courage.’ He had neither fear nor shame in dying for Christ. To honor Christ in his life, whether it be by life or by death, was his desire. Simply put, Paul did resolve to be expendable for Christ.

Paul who feared God has nothing else to fear. He who was consumed with the passsion to honor Christ doesn’t value his life for himself. He had resolved by saying, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” [Acts 20:24] For to him to live is Christ, and to die is gain.[v.21]

The gospel doesn’t produce weaklings, does it? Jesus had highlighted the cost in following Him, by saying, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”[Luke 9:23,24]

A person who had referred himself as dead beforehand isn’t afraid to face any a challenge or threat that comes on his way.

Personally, Paul had an overwhelming desire to be with Christ which was better. Was he so heavenly minded that he was no earthly good? Definitely not! He had not lost his tender compassion to the lost. Thus he said, “If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two.”

His equivocation wasn’t in his unwillingness to the will of God. Clearly, his surrendered life was disposed to follow the will of God always. Are we? If not, what do cause our hesitation and equivocation? Paul said, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all.” [Rom 8:32] Why can’t we give up our all for Him also?

May we resolve to make our Christ as our all in all today.

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