"According to my earnest expectation and my hope
that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always,
so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether it be by life or
by death.
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:20-21.
My life verses.
I chose them when I was in my early teens. One of my Sunday school teachers encouraged my class to find a life verse. A verse that we could carry with us that would encourage us and lift us up in hard times. A promise we could cling to or, as in my case, a constant reminder of the real purpose of life.
My earnest expectation. Another Bible translation uses the word eager instead of earnest. It also translates the "according to" into "as is". As is my eager expectation. In other words, my goal in life. My hope. The one thing I'm striving towards; that Christ shall be magnified in my body. Regardless of whether I live or die.
Am I better off dead to Christ? So be it. If I can glorify Him more in my death than in my life, then Amen! bring it on!
But we don't really think like that. Our lives are too precious to us. What about my career? My family? My husband? What will my church do without it's piano player? How will people be able to stand life without me? Clearly we put a lot of stock in our lives. And in one sense we should. We are God's children, and we are precious to Him. He doesn't want us to needlessly kick the bucket and just give up! We have a purpose here; He created us for a special reason.
But are we willing to die if that is more glorifying? Is it possible that by our deaths, people may come to know Him? If so, are you willing to die for Him?
It's not a pleasant thought. It's not an easy thing to swallow. But as Christians we should be ready and willing to do whatever God calls us to do, knowing that His way is the best way. He can see all of time and eternity, while all we can see is the present. Trust Him. He knows what He's doing.
My earnest expectation.
Christ shall be magnified in my body.
that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always,
so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether it be by life or
by death.
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:20-21.
My life verses.
I chose them when I was in my early teens. One of my Sunday school teachers encouraged my class to find a life verse. A verse that we could carry with us that would encourage us and lift us up in hard times. A promise we could cling to or, as in my case, a constant reminder of the real purpose of life.
My earnest expectation. Another Bible translation uses the word eager instead of earnest. It also translates the "according to" into "as is". As is my eager expectation. In other words, my goal in life. My hope. The one thing I'm striving towards; that Christ shall be magnified in my body. Regardless of whether I live or die.
Am I better off dead to Christ? So be it. If I can glorify Him more in my death than in my life, then Amen! bring it on!
But we don't really think like that. Our lives are too precious to us. What about my career? My family? My husband? What will my church do without it's piano player? How will people be able to stand life without me? Clearly we put a lot of stock in our lives. And in one sense we should. We are God's children, and we are precious to Him. He doesn't want us to needlessly kick the bucket and just give up! We have a purpose here; He created us for a special reason.
But are we willing to die if that is more glorifying? Is it possible that by our deaths, people may come to know Him? If so, are you willing to die for Him?
It's not a pleasant thought. It's not an easy thing to swallow. But as Christians we should be ready and willing to do whatever God calls us to do, knowing that His way is the best way. He can see all of time and eternity, while all we can see is the present. Trust Him. He knows what He's doing.
My earnest expectation.
Christ shall be magnified in my body.
Comments
Post a Comment