One of the most ‘power-faith’ statements in the entire bible is Philippians 1:21. Paul writes, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”. Paul has been badly mistreated and imprisoned, and all he is guilty of is loving people to the point of helping them come to know Jesus and be saved by the blood of the Lamb of God. He writes from prison and says only one thing matters: not his own comforts and safety but rather the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is absolutely where we want and need to be in our faith. Let’s share these devotionals with others. Let’s invite people to visit our website. Let’s share our faith with others and tell them what Jesus has done for us. Let’s put the gospel above our own comforts in this life. Read Philippians 1:12-26 and then listen to To Live Is Christ by Sidewalk Prophets.
Philippians 1:12-26
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.
But not only that, I also will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again.