Saturday after the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 26, 2023 by under
Scripture: Philippians 1:19-30 (NKJV)
1:19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Devotion
St. Paul believes in Christ and knows that he is going to heaven, therefore, he has “a desire to depart and be with Christ.” However, by remaining in the flesh, the fruit of his ministry will be of great advantage for the Philippians. St. Paul has a win-win situation. If, as a result of his imprisonment he dies, then he will be with Christ. If he lives through this trial, then he will use his freedom to serve the spiritual progress of the Philippians. Of most importance to St. Paul is not the final outcome, but the process. St. Paul’s primary concern is that in the process “Christ will be magnified,” whether by his death or by his life.
Our Lord has given us great freedom in our life choices. In those decisions regarding the benefit for ourselves or others, consider how Christ would be magnified. In addition, St. Paul knows that the believer should be prepared to suffer for Jesus’ sake. Therefore, “let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
Prayer: Almighty and Everlasting God, Who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
