God Still Has A Plan For You

Philippians 1:21-27

Our New Testament reading from this week’s Lectionary comes from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi.  This letter was written while Paul was imprisoned, probably in Rome, for preaching the Gospel.  While in prison, he knew that there was a very good chance he could be executed, and become another early Christian martyr.  Paul was released from prison some time after writing this letter, only to be imprisoned again several years later, and this time he was executed, likely beheaded, for his faith.

As Paul is sitting in his prison cell, a very dismal place in those days, writing this passage of Scripture we are looking at today, he is thinking about his possible, imminent death.  How would we feel if we knew there was a possibility that at any moment our life would be over?  Rather than being afraid or angry, Paul had a view of heaven in his mind.  He had suffered so much from beatings, imprisonments, stonings and all, that heaven looked good (vs. 21).  He was not afraid to die.  Paul knew that heaven was so much better than the very best on earth (vs. 23).  What ever would happen to him in life or death, Paul wanted to exalt Christ.  His faith in Christ was what sustained him in prison.

For people who don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior, this world is all there is, so that is why they try to get all they can out of this present world, and cling to it so desperately.  We should have eternal values, like Paul did.  What did Paul feel was his only reason for living?  It was to tell others about Jesus, spread the Gospel message, and to build up the churches that he had established.

As Paul sat in his prison cell, wishing to go on and be with his Savior in heaven, he knew that there was work still left to be done (vs. 22-26).  Paul knew that by his remaining alive, there were many more cities to visit and bring the Gospel to.  He knew that there were multitudes more souls to reach for Jesus.  The Lord God had commissioned Paul years earlier, that day on the road to Damascus, to bring His message throughout the known world.  Paul also had a task of helping and encouraging the new converts in their faith (vs. 24-25).  His personal desire might be to go on and be with the Lord, but as long as there was work to do for Him, he was willing to keep going, no matter how difficult it might be, with more attacks from God’s enemies.

As Paul writes the final verse of our passage today, he tells the Philippian believers in the church there that they need to live their lives as is appropriate for those who is are followers of Jesus Christ (vs. 27).  Paul wants to hear word that they are all unified, not squabbling or quarreling among themselves.  Later in this letter, in chapter 4, Paul mentions two women in the church who have a quarrel between themselves (Philippians 4:2-3).  Fellow believers are to be unified, standing and striving together for the faith.

The unsaved, unregenerate world is watching the behavior and actions of believers.  What we do and how we act is always being noticed by others outside the church.  Because of that, Paul urges Christians, and us today, to “let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ”.   Our behavior at all times should bring honor and glory to the Name of our Savior, not such as would bring Him shame.  Paul couldn’t be with these believers, but he was still their “father in the faith”, and wanted his “children in the faith” to be acting appropriately as Christians.

As we consider this passage for ourselves, we should know that as long as there is something that the Lord has for us to do here on earth, we will remain here.  There is nothing out of place with wanting to be with Jesus now, but we will remain if He still has work for us to do.  Are we seeking to spend our time going after our own pursuits, or those of the Lord?  As for our behavior and conduct, remember to whom we belong.  We belong to Jesus, and our actions should reflect that. And while we remain here on earth, the Lord has work for us to do.