Being The Church 6

Philippians 1.12-30

Paul asserts that his imprisonment would turn out for his ‘deliverance’. He also says that the Philippian Christians have had a part to play in this anticipated deliverance. He says that the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ along with their prayers assures him that this deliverance will happen. What deliverance is he talking about? Paul goes on to say that he doesn’t just mean his release from prison, though that might be one outcome. He is speaking of a much fuller, deeper and more triumphant deliverance than that.

If you look at v19 where he speaks of his deliverance and then read on, you discover the nature of this deliverance:

- it means to ‘not be at all ashamed’. He considers escaping the shame of being proved wrong about the gospel to be his deliverance.

- It means for him to have ‘full courage now and always’. He considers that overcoming anxiety and fear in his troubles to be his deliverance.

- It means for Christ to be honoured in his body, whether by life or by death. Paul considers that if Christ’s glory is maximised through his continued living or by his death – THAT is deliverance.

He says that however this all turns out (whether by his death or his release and continued living) it will result in him being rescued, vindicated and made victorious – i.e. delivered! No matter how dire his circumstances seemed at that time, he saw Christ’s firm hand on the circumstances, turning them towards his good purposes. Paul explains this deliverance as him not being put to shame at all, but being strengthened with courage so the Christ would be honoured in his body. As far as he is concerned, he WINS when Christ receives glory by how he handles this trouble.

Whether Christ is honoured in his body by his death or his continued living - he wins – he is delivered. He wishes to show that Christ is magnificent by whatever circumstances he has to face.

Paul is not depressed by suffering imprisonment and the possibility of a death sentence from the Imperial court. In fact, he has what he calls ‘eager expectation and hope’ – hardly the words of a defeated man. He has his heart set on honouring Christ whether by his continued life or his death. Christ is everything to him. Why else could he say: For me to live is Christ and to die is gain! Astonishing confidence. Beautiful contentment. His life is all about what Christ wants for him and his strongest desire is to please Christ and be in the closest possible fellowship with him, whether by working for him in the world or meeting him beyond death.

He tells the Philippians that if Christ chooses to keep him alive, and perhaps even free him from the Roman prison, then that means ‘fruitful labour’ – in other words, further opportunities to work productively for the Church with Christ’s help. Choosing between that and being put to death he finds to be an impossible decision. They both exert a strong pull. Lucky for him he doesn’t have to choose – just submit to God’s will for him. The greatest personal benefit for him would be to die and go to Christ. But he is torn between that and the need of the Philippians and other Christians of his help. He is willing - and in fact he can see it is necessary for him - to remain in this life longer so he can continue to progress their faith and deepen their joy. He hopes his release and a further visit to them will cause them to glory in Christ even more as they witness Christ working out his purposes for the church through thick and thin.

Paul wasn’t defeated by his troubles so that he wished he could just end it all and get away. People who want to take their own or other’s lives when they get old or sick don’t have the same Spirit that animated Paul. They can’t see any further use for their lives and want to throw what’s left away. Paul believed that while he was still in the body there was opportunity for Christ to be honoured in it. Just defying the fear of death is powerful evidence of Christ’s victory. Suffering without bitterness or complaint is powerful evidence of Christ’s victory. Giving testimony to the assurance that your life is not being snuffed out by the cold draught of death, - rather, it is opening out into a dazzling eternity, is powerful evidence of Christ’s victory.