Just proclaim Christ (Philippians 1:1-18)
Dang, this truly hits me beyond all else. I love how Paul says, "Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel" (1:12). That hits me. It is my desire to have all things in my life point to the gospel. I want to be able to say, like Paul, I desire to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. This is my journey. This is my yearning.
Even before all that Paul starts to proclaim how much confidence he has in God. I need to remind myself, just as Paul did, daily of how much God has brought me through. So many times throughout my journey towards following Christ - I look at my problems rather than look at the source of my solution. What an eye-opening experience this passage is.
It is Paul who can say that in any situation, he was wanting Christ to be proclaimed. He wanted others "trusting in the Lord because of [his] imprisonment" (1:14). I can't say that for myself. I can say that some of the time, not even most, but I can not say that I want him to be lifted high and magnified all the time. That is astounding. That is the type of faith that I wish I could take in my life.
1:18 should hit some Christians in the teeth because so many times we get caught up in theological debates about beliefs. But Paul is telling the Philippians that we should rejoice not in anything else except for the fact that Christ is proclaimed. Who cares if it is out selfish reasons as long as Christ is preached? Paul's emphasis is on Christ being proclaimed and our tendency is to focus on how that proclamation is being made. I know that I have to work through some of my priorities because of this section.
Created almost 4 years ago
