Are You Living Or Dying?
Good Morning Friends,
This morning’s Naples Daily News has a front-page article about Watts Mercy, 25, and her sister Sarah, 16 years of age. Watts’ was born in Haiti and her sister, Sarah, was born in the United States. The context of their story is that they were both abused in the Foster Care system and ultimately Watts became guardian of her sister. Watts has no memory of Haiti and yet faces deportation. I introduced the Naples Daily News staff to Watts several months ago, not because One by One Leadership Foundation has been in their lives for several years helping behind the scenes, but because of Watts’ resilience, in the face of overwhelming odds, honors God. The article is relevant not just because of trash talk about Haitians on the anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti eight years ago, but also how it fits into today’s text from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. For Watts is a person who is imprisoned by a situation but still has chosen to live. The reality is that bad stuff happens and sometimes we as Watts and Paul must make the best we can out of those situations. For when awful things happen, and they do, the role of the Christian is to focus on living through it instead of dying in it. So, Are You Living Or Dying?
Scripture: Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Philippians 1:15-30 (NRSV)
Message: Paul had an interesting take on today’s question. As Paul sits in prison, under house arrest, he gives us an answer. He tells us what it means to live. Now as Paul tells us his answer, it is helpful to know the context in which this letter is penned. You see Paul may have known that he might be ultimately be sentenced to death as he writes the letter to the Philippians and awaits the Roman courts. I think it likely that Paul would have been willing to die for the cause of Christ but he was strategically buying time. So, I do not read this as an encouragement for us to seek to become martyrs as much as to risk more so that we might truly live. Yes, Paul is imprisoned, and has been for years now, falsely accused by the Jews of preaching against the Laws of Moses and for defiling the temple by bringing a Gentile into the Temple. He was arrested for this. He has been brought before numerous governors and leaders to plead his case and innocence. And as he uses these opportunities to witness, the apostle decides to activate his right as a Roman citizen to appeal before the Emperor himself. Now strategically if you are looking at self-preservation going to Rome would not be my first choice of an action. I think Paul wants to go to Rome not so much for appeal but to witness to the Emperor and the people of Rome. As Paul begins his letter, he gives the Philippians an update and some encouragement. He tells them that God is working through his imprisonment. He says that the Gospel is being advanced to people that would not have heard it without this circumstance, which was the royal guard, and Caesar’s household. Since Paul is not discouraged by his status, it has encouraged the faith and actions of others. It gave them the confidence and boldness that they needed to proclaim Jesus to a hostile world. For the apostle, life and living is Jesus. He says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The cause of Christ was nothing less than life itself for Paul. Paul is not dying, but he is living, and living to the fullest regardless of his circumstances. But this truth led to a dilemma for Paul and for us. Since life is all about Jesus, to depart from this world and to be with Him is better but really who wants to die. Friends, if someone is about to die you do not tell them that they are going to a better place and yet that is what Paul is saying about himself. Paul wants to enjoy paradise. It is in this same dilemma that Paul points us to Christ. Jesus gave up His life for us so that we could have life, and eternal life. We live through faith in His perfect life, being forgiven, declared righteous, and as God’s child. Like with the apostle, Jesus is our life. So, maybe this is not so much about the dying with glory, but as a way to not die before we die.
Pray we realize that our life is in Christ. Pray Jesus is our strength. Pray we live our lives in service to Jesus. Pray Christ is the meaning of our life. Pray we live our life in Him now, living in His grace, love, protection, and care. Pray God’s grace is made perfect in our weaknesses, flaws, and inabilities. Pray we have resilience.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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