Daily Thoughts from Philippians (7): Christ is Everything – Philippians 1:18b-26

Art Reynolds wrote “Jesus Is Just Alright With Me” and his Art Reynolds Singers performed it in 1966 and intended it as a worship song.  Many other bands have since covered it (The Byrds, The Doobie Brothers, and D.C. Talk, to name a few).  Some have taken exception to the theology.  Jesus is only alright or cool?  It is questionable that that is what Art Reynolds meant when he wrote it, but certainly we might use more exalted language to convey the greatness of our Savior, Jesus the Messiah.

Paul uses some of that exalted language.

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 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. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:18b-26, ESV)

What brings Paul joy is seeing the progress of the gospel (1:18a).  And though he is incarcerated in Rome, in a house he has to rent, chained to Roman soldiers in shifts, he is rejoicing because the gospel is being preached.  And he will rejoice because the Philippians are praying for him and the Holy Spirit is helping him.  The prayers of the Philippians (and others, of course) are evidence of their commitment to the gospel.  The Holy Spirit’s help is what Jesus promised when his servants stood before tribunals.  Jesus said, “Don’t worry about coming up with a defense when you are hauled before persecuting authorities because the Holy Spirit will give you what to say in that moment” (Luke 12:11,12).

So Paul is awaiting trial but also God’s deliverance.  But the deliverance he is expecting, based on the Philippians’ prayers and the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit, is that he would make a defense that gives him a witness for Christ.  He still may be killed.  He wants Christ to be honored whether he gets released or executed.  That would still be God’s deliverance.

From the Christian perspective Christ is everything.  Life is Christ.  And because of that death is a gain.  Living brings opportunity to bear fruit in serving others and dying means being released from the body and going in spirit to be with Christ.  As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, when we are absent from the body we are at home with Christ.  In Paul’s mind the latter is preferred, but unselfishly he knows that the Philippians need him.  Apparently God has given him the choice of which fate it will be.  He chooses to remain in this life.

This motivation of love for others even at the cost of one’s own preferences and agenda is the key to relational unity.  Paul is giving us an example of what we should be.  When I follow only what I want, what I think is good for me, and do not consider you, I am hurting the unity of the body of Christ.  Or when I take sides with others against your group on matters not crucial to the gospel, I am hurting the unity of the body of Christ.  When I take a stance on a matter other than the gospel and let that stance keep me from partnering with you in the proclamation of Christ, I am hurting the unity of the body of Christ.  When I do those things I am no longer discerning what is best.  I’m following a selfish ambition.

Discussion Questions for Small Groups

1. If you could perform one miracle right now like Jesus did in the Gospels, what would it be and why?
2. What one miracle does Paul want to see result from the prayers of the Philippians and the help of the Holy Spirit?
3. Are you as eager as Paul was to die and be with Christ?  Why or why not?
4. Are you as willing to sacrifice your own personal preferences in order to serve others as Paul was?  Why or why not?
5. Is following any personal agenda other than the gospel always going to be a threat to the progress of the gospel?
6. What do you see as your contribution to the progress and joy of others in the faith?