The Conflict of a Soldier: Longing for Home WILL BE Experienced Here

Scripture: Philippians 1:29-30

For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Insights: Earlier this week I referenced Ephesians six and the spiritual war in which we find ourselves engaged.  In the sense of Ephesians six we are in a conflict and yet at the same time that war has already been won.  Christ Jesus was victorious over that war when He gave His life on Calvary and forevermore defeated sin and death when He rose again from the dead.  In no way do I wish to minimize the remaining skirmishes in which we find ourselves, but I do, however, wish to take this phrase “the same conflict which you saw in me” and run a different direction.  Back in verses twenty-two and twenty-three Paul shared with us his true conflict.  He was torn between remaining here on earth for the fruitful labor he would produce or in going home to Jesus.  If we look at this conflict within Paul as the same kind of conflict with which we are experiencing, then are we truly experiencing conflict?  I would answer in the negative.  What we are experiencing is home sickness.  As we reflect on our true home, we ought to experience great joy and contentment in Christ Jesus, our Lord.  Another area in which we ought to experience joy is in the knowledge we are not facing this conflict alone.  Paul was presently experiencing that conflict when he wrote this letter.  He is encouraging these Philippian brothers and sisters to take comfort in the reality that all Christians are going to experience this conflict.  It is our faith, which we are defending as good soldiers, that keeps us grounded and steadfast in our course to bring honor and glory to Jesus.  Beloved, joy can and will be experienced in this war if we will just keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  Let us indeed live and fight like good soldiers that and bring glory to our Savior!

Questions:

1. Are you longing for your true home?
2. Does this reality of your real home produce joy in your life?

Prayer: Father, oh, how I long to be home with You.  To know that one day I will experience You in uninterrupted glory and will perpetually be wrapped in the warmth of Your love and joy.  May I, like Paul, rest in Your joy here while I strive to bring You glory as I share the gospel.  Amen.