Scripture:
Philippians 1:18f-20
Yes,
and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my
deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will
not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will
even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Insights: What do you do with a guy like
Paul? He was of such a singular mind
that every thought and action he took was pointing him to that singular purpose
in his life. Such an intense focus brought
about great joy in Paul’s life. As a way
of review, the singular objective of Paul’s life was the exaltation of Christ
Jesus as he proclaimed the gospel to a lost world. The result of such great joy was hope in
Christ’s magnification and his future well-being. At this point, we return to my first
sentence. What do you do with a guy like
Paul? Here is what I mean by such a
question: Paul had great hope in his deliverance from his present
imprisonment. He viewed his deliverance
in two ways. One, he would be physically
released because he would be vindicated when he stood before Caesar. Two, he would be spiritually released because
he would be condemned when he stood before Caesar and his life would be taken
from him. Either way, he was going to be
delivered and either way he was going to exalt Christ Jesus. Paul’s only prayer through either option was
that he would in no way be put to shame for his faith in His Lord and Savior,
Jesus. He did not want any word or
action from him to put a negative light on Jesus. He desired to be faithful no matter what and
to be a vessel of exaltation for Jesus. For
the third time I ask, what do you do with a guy like Paul? If he is set free, he exalts Jesus! If he is sentenced to death, he exalts
Jesus! If he remains in prison, he
exalts Jesus! In other occasions, he had
been beaten, stoned, insulted and the list goes on and on, but he exalts
Jesus! What do you do with a guy with
that kind of singular mind and focus?
Beloved, you emulate him. Set
your heart and life to such a purpose that all you care about is the
glorification of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Live out of joy because you are sharing
Jesus. Know the hope of your future is
secure in Christ.
Questions:
- Do you have a hopeful outlook on your future?
- Does your hope produce exaltation for your Lord?
Prayer: Father, thank
You for the overflowing joy I have in my life.
Because of You and Your presence my joy produces great hope for my
future. May I exalt You in every
endeavor You place before me. Amen.
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