Hard Pressed

How would you describe your life? By your chores at home - cooking, cleaning, and laundry? By your job, ministries, relationships, hobbies, or your health? There are so many ways we describe our life and ourselves. Although I do part time accounting for a missionary organization, I used to be at a loss when someone asked me what I did because I worked only an hour or two per month. Even the few hours of accounting I do, I do from home, so people wonder what else I do with all my time. I had to shift from a job description to ministries I’m involved with, writing, teaching Bible, quilting, being a youth leader, etc. Although I know my spiritual identity, that isn’t typically how I describe my life or who I am when someone asks.

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 to 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 1:21-26

Paul asserted that for him “to live is Christ.” Christ was his whole reason for being. Paul worked as a tentmaker when needed, he had been a Pharisee, and he was an apostle, yet he said, “to live is Christ.” Paul’s identity and purpose were rooted in Christ. Relationships, ministry, and job all flowed from his life in Christ. His life was meant for God’s glory and purposes. Paul stated it another way in Colossians 3:1-3.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (emphasis added)

Not only does Paul believe that “to live is Christ”, but he declared that “to die is gain.” The Greek word for gain means “advantage”. He knew it was better to depart and be in God’s presence, to worship Him and to be fully united to Him, than it was to remain on earth. He was not afraid of death. He looked forward to death because he saw it as advantageous. In a game we may say one side has the advantage. That team is in a better position to win because of ability, coaching, equipment, or fan support. To die in Christ means we have all the advantage. We have the ultimate win – perfect fellowship with God. No more sin. No more suffering. No more tears. We have only what is best and perfect forever. There is nothing more we can gain once we are in heaven.

So why was Paul torn? The phrase hard pressed means “to hold together with constraint or to compress.” Paul loved the Philippians and his other spiritual children. He was thankful for their saving faith, but he also wanted to help them grow and mature. Paul said that remaining on earth meant fruitful labor. His fruitful labor was discipling them and continuing to glorify God while on earth.

In verse 24 Paul said it “is more necessary on your account” for him to remain. The word for necessary means “what one cannot do without, being indispensable, what is required by the circumstances.” This was not a prideful stance on Paul’s part. God could do the job without him. The Philippians would survive without him. It was really humbleness on Paul’s part to put others’ needs and what God had called him to before his own desire to be in glory.

Paul trusted God’s sovereignty and wisdom for what was best for his life and the Philippians. He was willing to submit either way because ultimately, as we see in verse 26, Paul wanted the Philippians to glory in Christ. Whatever Paul did, he wanted it to result in God’s glory.

“‘Glorifying’ means feeling and thinking and acting in ways that reflect God’s greatness, that make much of God, that give evidence of the supreme greatness of all His attributes and the all-satisfying beauty of His manifold perfections.”[i] For you and me, glorifying God means showing others the grace He has abundantly shown us. It means loving others sacrificially the way Jesus loved us when He gave His own life for us, His enemies, and sinners. It means growing in the fruit of the Spirit which reflect God’s attributes. It means knowing that even when we miss the mark in glorifying Him, Christ always, perfectly glorified the Father, and He has given that perfect record to us.

Reflection

1. Can you say that to you, to live is Christ? Does your life in Christ provide the foundation for everything else in your life? Are there areas of your life you need to adjust so that they are about Christ not self? Write out specific ways you can make each of those areas about God’s glory. For example: As a youth leader, my flesh wants the kids to like me. I want to be the awesome, fun youth leader, the one the kids seek out to talk to. I am putting their approval of me above God’s approval. Instead, I need to be faithful to disciple and love them remembering it is God who I am to please.

2. Do you long for heaven? Do you see it as gain? Or are you caught up in this life? Paul said to be with Christ was far better. What earthly thing(s) do you need to loosen your hold on to have this eternal perspective?

3. Paul knew it was better for him to remain to continue ministering to the Philippian church and other believers. Who has God placed in your life to love, serve, and minister to? What is a specific way that you can love, serve, and minister to them this week?

[i] Piper, John. “Glorifying God…Period.” Campus Outreach Staff Conference. Orlando, FL. 15 July 2013