PHILIPPIANS 1
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.27 Only let your manner of life be worthyof the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
– Philippians 1:18-30
PHILIPPIANS 1 SUFFER FOR CHRIST’S SAKE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As a believer of Christ, we are to embrace trials with joy
When we are rejected and persecuted for his sake
It is an occasion for us to exercise endurance and patience
As a believer, we are to follow his example of long suffering
If you live for Christ, you will look as suffering as gain
We can share in the big sacrifice he made for us by bearing the pain
Suffer for Christ’s sake so you will grow in your faith
Without suffering, you will not be taking the narrow road to Christ.
This letter of Paul to the Philippians is such a big challenge for the Christian believers. Paul sets the example of taking suffering as a way to follow the narrow path to God. When he says in verse 21 to live is Christ and to die is gain, he was referring to die in this context as to suffer. How would suffering be a gain? The world will never understand this because it only knows convenience and comfort.
Two bible verses explain this phrase that Paul is teaching the believers: John 12:24 says “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” 1 Corinthians 15:36 “What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.” These following verses teach us that the gain in suffering is reaping the fruit of faith. We deepen our knowledge of God and thereby grow in our dependence on him.
REFLECTION
- How is suffering for a consequence of sin different from suffering for Christ’s sake?
