April 28 | Philippians 1:19-30

DAILY READING

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REFLECTION

Two Goals and Two Gifts

By Dave Mann

The Apostle Paul wrote these remarkable words to the believers in Philippi when he was in prison. Most people in that time, who entered prison never lived to see the outside again. So, Paul’s death was a very likely possibility. The location of this prison could have been Caesarea or Ephesus, from which he did indeed exit alive. Or, it could have been Rome, from which he went into heaven.

Read this passage again to gain another taste of the two goals between which Paul had to choose.

So that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death (v. 20). Paul understands that we believers in Christ can give glory to God through Jesus both by living faithfully and by dying faithfully.

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (v. 21). If Paul lives, he is with Christ, partnering for the spreading of the gospel. If he is martyred for the faith, he will be even closer to Christ – face to face with him in glory.

I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body (v. 23-24). Paul does not know which he should choose – to die and go to heaven or to remain alive on earth to serve the Philippians and other young believers. For Paul, both options have a lot going for them.

But there is one more verse that is truly astonishing. Don’t miss the two gifts in verse 29. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Paul writes about two great gifts that God has graciously given to believers:

The gift of faith is to be forgiven and to believe in Jesus.
The gift of suffering for Christ’s name is to be joined with Jesus in this remarkable way as a martyr.

I doubt that, given our current life situation, any of us is likely to give our lives as a martyr for the faith. But there are many locations in the world today where this is a possibility. Nevertheless, we may have the opportunity to die to ourselves every day so that we might glorify Christ. May Paul’s attitude rub off on us as we read God’s Word that came through him.

PRAYER

O Lord, I am amazed at the attitude of servanthood, martyrdom, and joy that you gave to Paul. I desire that my heart learn from his. May his heart be infectious, for Jesus’ sake, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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