To Live Is Christ

Philippians 1

​“When the excitement of spending eternity with Jesus is real in your heart, whether you live or die doesn’t make a difference as long as the Lord is glorified.” Dr. Tony Evans
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We are often unable to understand the reason God allows certain circumstances in our lives. Nevertheless, like Paul and the Lord Jesus himself, we must have hearts that submit to our King’s will for our lives. As Paul told the Philippians, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). That was overriding mindset that drove the passion of the Apostle Paul and many on the disciples in their zeal to follow after Jesus, to make Him known, and to develop disciples from city to city.

In Acts 21, Paul and his companions sailed from Miletus to Tyre, where some Spirit-anointed believers tried to warn him not to go to Jerusalem; he ignored their warnings and continued his journey. At Caesarea they stayed with Philip and his four unmarried daughters, all of whom were prophetesses. While in Caesarea, Paul was again warned against going to Jerusalem, this time by Agabus. Still, he was determined to go, despite the danger, for the mission was of utmost importance.

“When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:12–14)

In this chapter, we see Paul as the traveler, the peacemaker, and the prisoner. You see where this is headed, right? Paul moved from “the will of the Lord be done” (v. 14) to “do what we tell you” in verse 23. So anxious was Paul to bring unity to the Jews and Gentiles in the church that he agreed to the plan. Was he following “wisdom from above” or “earthly wisdom?”

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13–18

Paul is definitely described by the latter; but, know that not every decision we make turns out to bring peace.

Though Paul clearly told all people (Jews and Gentiles) that salvation came through faith in Christ alone, he didn’t argue that Jewish customs couldn’t be practiced. After all, Paul had Timothy circumcised to make it easier for the two of them to conduct ministry among the Jews. Circumcision is not a problem as long as one doesn’t rely on it for salvation or sanctification.

“Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” Acts 21:23–25

This was probably a reference to the Nazirite vow, something Paul had done himself. Once the other Jews saw Paul do as he was told here, they would realize that the rumors they had heard about him rejecting Jewish customs amounted to nothing.

Warren Wiersbe explains that, “The plan almost worked; on the last day, however, trouble started. Of course, their charges were absurd; yet the mob lives on “suppose” and not fact. Paul had been careful not to cause any unrest in the city, but his efforts had been in vain. He would spend the next five years as a prisoner of Rome.”

“Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!” Acts 21:30–36

Sometimes our plans and good intentions seem to bring only trouble. But God is still sovereign and in control! He used Paul’s trials to accomplish His purposes so that His servant got to Rome. He can do the same for His people today if we walk by faith!

Are you walking by faith today? Are you following after the Spirit’s leading or are you listening to those around you? Does the mission by which He has called supersede the fears and the voices around you? What is God’s will for your life? Is God’s will for you hindered by what appears natural? What will it look like today for you to grasp His call and follow fearlessly after the His mission for you?

Today, know that His Spirit and His will is an unstoppable force; so in Him and the Spirit’s power, your mission is not impossible even if it ends in death.

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