Confession
I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
(Philippians 1:19-24 ESV)
Paul in writing to the church in Philippi says some amazing things. He is prison possibly awaiting a death sentence. He is writing to encourage the Philippians that he believes that because of their prayers and Jesus' calling on his life that he expects that "this wil turn out for my deliverance." He goes on to explain what this means: "it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or death!"
Paul adds an additional struggle he is having internally, "Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is better."
As we reflect on this passage, Let us ask ourselves a few questions:
-How are my circumstances being framed in my heart and thoughts?
Paul's circumstances were framed around one goal or end: The honor of Jesus Christ. Whether I live on for fruitful service or die. I want Jesus Christ to be honored! Are our circumstances framed around this goal?
-Do I desire above all other things to be close to Jesus?
Pauls says that to die is gain and that his desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is better. Do we consider death a gain? Do we want to be a part of activities that draw us close to Jesus? Do we desire and actually spend time with Jesus?
-Is the honor of Jesus my highest aim in life and death?
Do I want to honor Jesus with my life, my work, my family, my church. Is His glory the great aim of life? Do I really want him to be honored not only in my life but in other's lives as well?
May we now confess our sins to God.
Assurance of Pardon
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ.
(Philippians 3:7-9 ESV)
Paul here says that all things are loss compared to knowing and being found in Jesus. In Jesus, he says, he has found a righteousness that is not his own but one that is a gift and received by faith. In Jesus we have what we could not earn. The very righteous life of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins. If you are in Christ and have by faith received Him, all of your sins are forgiven!