Phil 1:19-30

Our reading for today is the following passage.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I 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. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If 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! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Verse 29 sticks out to me so clearly in this passage. It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.

What an amazing concept. Faith in Christ is an unbelievable gift, but so is suffering for him.

My prayer today is for thankfulness for not only the chance to be known by Christ, but also to make him known to others by the way I live.

Some more thoughts that popped in my head:

During the good as we live we count it as an amazing gift, but also through the bad, as we gradually age and struggle with our bodies, mind and flesh. As verse 21 points out, to live is Christ and to die is gain. We gain Christ either way. So to be known by Christ and conversely to know him, is to embrace life and death with courage knowing that either aspect is for His glory. And to that end I pray for courage.