A Life Worthy (Philippians 1)

Let’s make it through Philippians 1 today, particularly verses 19-30. The Apostle Paul wrote something that some people may believe to be a sign of hopelessness or depression, but I beg to differ. Paul wrote, “But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what shall I choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” (Philippians 1:22-23).

Paul’s greatest desire was to be with the Lord. And for true believers, our desire is the same. This is not to say that we are not grateful for the life that we have. It does not mean that we do not have the fruits of the Spirit of love, joy, and peace. It simply means that nothing on earth can compare to what we will have when we join our Lord in glory.

There is a longing that every follower of Christ should have, and that longing is for Him. Whenever we see passages in the Bible pertaining to waiting for the Lord, we often attribute the wait for things to be received on earth. And although those waiting scriptures can be applicable for our earthly waiting seasons, they are primarily about the big wait … the highly anticipated return of our King Jesus Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 5:2-4, Paul penned these same sentiments to the Corinthian Church. He compared our bodies to tents, a temporary dwelling, and expressed how we “groan earnestly” for permanent housing. To us, a permanent dwelling with our Lord, away from sin, disaster, pain, and suffering, is far greater than anything we can acquire on earth.

So, Paul isn’t expressing suicidal thoughts or writing in a depressive state here. But he is showcasing his priorities. He’s revealing the greatest desire of his heart, which is the Lord. David said, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” (Psalms 27:4) Paul is simply expressing the same feelings of David. His main desire was God. May the Lord fix our desire to be just as Paul and David’s desires were. May we desire the Lord above all things.

Although Paul’s main desire was to be with the Lord, he knew it would be far more beneficial to the Philippians and many other believers if he stayed alive for the gospel’s sake. Paul wrote, “Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” Therefore, he continued his encouragement to the believers at Philippi. One of the things he encouraged the believers to do was to live lives worthy of the gospel.

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs …”

(Philippians 1:27).

Having conduct worthy of the gospel is a phrase to live by. By definition, the word ‘conduct’ is described as the manner in which a person behaves. In context of this scripture, ‘conduct’ is the manner in which a believer lives. The conduct of a believer is to remain steadfast. It isn’t meant for Christians to alter their behavior based on their environment.

Some believers tend to conduct themselves as if Christianity is a coat that can be taken on and off, but not so. Our faith is more likened to the skin that is clasped onto our muscles and ligaments. It should be unmovable, so closely intertwined within us that worthy conduct is embedded in our DNA.

For most believers, there are certain behaviors that the will not participate in when they are at church. They will not speak a certain way, act a certain way, or even think a certain way because they believe they are on sacred ground. They conduct themselves in a worthy manner while at church, but away from church, they behave in a way that is less than worthy of the gospel.

However, if we believe scripture to be true, if we believe that we are the church, that we are the temple of God that houses His Holy Spirit, as stated in 1 Corinthians 3:16, then we will conduct ourselves as if we are on sacred ground. We would do this because we know that we are sacred ground. Certainly, the place where God’s Spirit dwells is sacred.

Therefore, we should conduct ourselves as if we are are the sacred, holy blessed church of God because that is what we are. With this perspective in mind, I believe we will live lives worthy of the gospel. And when our flesh desires to live differently, the provision of God by way of the Holy Spirit will help us. God’s Spirit will aid us in conducting ourselves as being worthy of the gospel, even when we don’t desire to do so. So be encouraged, we can live according to the standard God desires. We can live lives worthy of the gospel.

Philippians 1 concludes with Paul reminding us that “it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (v.29). Suffering for Christ is a hard concept to accept. No one wants to suffer. Not even Christ wanted to endure suffering, and this is evident in His prayer found in Matthew 26:39. So, it is commonplace that we will not desire to suffer for anyone’s sake.

I recall being anxious at times when I was pregnant with my children. The thought of labor and delivery, the thought of suffering, made me nervous. But the suffering was necessary. All mothers must suffer for the sake of our children. We must endure to bring forth life.

Likewise, we must endure to have life in Christ. Suffering is a necessary part of being birthed into newness of life in God. It is necessary for newness of life in Christ while on earth as well as the newness we will receive in eternity. But Christ promised this in John 16:21-22, “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for the joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.”

If we patiently wait for the Lord, our suffering will turn into rejoicing, and our sorrow will turn into joy. From what I gather, He is worth waiting for. He is worth altering our conduct, and although suffering persists, the promise of receiving life more abundantly persist all the more.  

Dear reader, I pray this message has encouraged you. This wraps up Philippians 1. I pray it has blessed you. Wait for the Lord, live a live worthy of the gospel, and endure for the sake of living. Be blessed! Until next time, may God bless you and keep you. Take care.

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Sincerely,

Quin Arrington