REJOICE IN OUR PURPOSE OF LIVING FOR CHRIST
PHILLIPIANS 1:19-26
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
1: 19-21 This was not Paul’s final imprisonment in Rome, but he didn’t know that. Awaiting trial, he knew he could either be released or executed. He trusted Christ, however, because he knew Christ would deliver him, dead or alive. Paul’s desire was that when he stood trial he would speak courageously for Christ and not be timid or ashamed. Whether he lived or died, he wanted to exalt Christ. As it turned out, he was released from this imprisonment but arrested again two or three years later.
1: 20-21 Those who don’t believe in God think that life on earth is all there is. Therefore, it is natural for them to strive for what this world values: prosperity, popularity, power, pleasure, and prestige. For Paul, however, to live meant to tell others about Christ, who alone could help them see life from an eternal perspective. Paul’s whole purpose in life was to speak out boldly for Christ and to become more like him. Thus, Paul could confidently say that dying would be even better than living, because in death he would be removed from worldly troubles, and he would see Christ face-to-face (1 John 3: 2-3). Either way, Paul would be giving his life as a sacrifice to God. If you’re not ready to die, then you’re not ready to live. Make certain of your eternal destiny; then you will be free to serve— devoting your life to what really counts, without fear of death.
1: 24 Paul had a purpose for living when he served the Philippians and others. We also need a purpose for living that is greater than ourselves and goes beyond providing for our own physical needs. Why are you here? What is your purpose for living?Tyndale. NIV Life Application Study Bible
A dear friend of mine and i were just discussing this topic of how to know when our purpose has been fullfilled and at what point do we move on. this can only be gauged by the leading of the Holy Spirit. When the discernment of GODS word and his will is fixed on him and not on what we want or think it SHOULD BE. ALLOWING HIM TO LEAD AND US FOLLOW!! Which for some of us it is hard to do because we don't want to accept the thought of did we do all we could do?? But GOD tells us MANY ARE CALLED AND FEW ARE CHOSEN!! That is where we have to use our discernemnt to know when to turn it over to GOD and let his will be done.
ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH JESUS and rejoice in doin his will and KNOW that we have fullfilled our purpose 100% and KNOW that GODS WILL will be done!!!
onthewayhomeministries.org by RICHARD DEAN BROOKS