Title: Life overcoming hardships/Phil 1:122-30
The text is a candid expression of Paul's attitude toward ministry, but here he also explains his aspiration for evangelism in a warm and confident tone.
Through Paul's confession, let's examine the correct attitude of the saints toward the truth as they approach the Lord's work.
1. Be able to transcend life and death.
It is far better for me to be away from the world and be with Christ, since I am between the two, but it is better for you that I am in the flesh (vv. 23, 24).
He confessed that it would be great if he died with Christ, but if he lived to do the Lord's work, that would be good too. He also explained that if he came to life and ministered, it would be beneficial to many saints (v. 24). Those who live the truth in this way must be able to transcend both life and death.
You must be able to give great meaning to your life in this life as well. The saints often live while looking to the afterlife, so it is easy to evaluate the real life only as life in the wilderness, but it should not be like that. This does not mean that we should focus on following the desires of the flesh in this world. As we can see from Paul's confession, we must take it as meaning that the useful life in this life and the life of the truth are equally important. If you avoid life and wait for the afterlife while looking worthless, you should keep in mind that it is not the attitude of a worker or a servant.
2. Spiritual warfare is God's work.
Strive to live worthy of the gospel. Is it difficult to live righteously like that?
Fight together for the faith of the gospel. Worried about getting involved like that? I hope you will hear the news today that the Bible says that in no way are you afraid of those who oppose you.
He says that the difficulties and worries we face in trying to live this kind of faith are evidence of salvation. It is because God is doing it.
3. It is the privilege of Christians with hardships. (29-30)
It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.
Everyone experiences hardship at some point while they are living in this world. There are times when we suffer from an incurable disease or lament because of the hardships of life. Sometimes we suffer because of ridicule and accusation because of righteousness. So, why is suffering a Christian privilege?
1) Christians are privileged to become people who depend only on God through suffering.
We knew in our hearts that we were condemned to death, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9)
Moses, the leader of the Exodus, was educated in the court of Egypt and possessed great abilities. But it could not be the leader of the Exodus. So they suffered and trained for 40 years in the wilderness. As a result, Moses, who had enough blood to kill people, was transformed into a person who trusted in God.
Also, the apostle Paul, his many educations and the grace and experience he received, was enough to make him proud. However, through many hardships, he thoroughly experienced his weakness and incompetence and became a humble man who trusted in God.
2) Christian suffering is a privilege because it is a share in the suffering of Christ.
James said, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). Blessed are you, rejoice and be glad” (Matthew 5:11, 12). In this respect, William Barclay's words are persuasive. The suffering of the saints in this world can be seen in a sense as helping Jesus carry the cross. This is a word that expresses the meaning of suffering. What we will present when we stand before the Lord will be our sufferings. So Paul wanted to fill his body with the sufferings of Christ (cf. Col. 1:24).
I hope that you will be grateful that we are able to participate in that place of suffering today.
3) Christians are privileged because it is an opportunity to grow into perfect servants of Christ through suffering.
We are too hasty. How can I receive great grace once and become a respected Christian? But God works over time. He works over time, just as it took 40 years to train Moses. And all the great warriors of faith in the Bible became true Christians only through such long training.
But he knows the way I go; and after he has tried me I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10).
Perfect your patience, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:4).
According to the botanist, when the strong March wind blows after winter, it is pathetic to see the branches swaying in the wind, but the strong wind is essential for the tree.
The strong wind in early spring shakes the branches and shakes the trees, so the nutrients needed to produce new leaves can go up well. In other words, in order for the supply of nutrients from the roots to go up smoothly to the sprout through the inactive tree trunk during the winter, there must be a movement action that is shaken by the wind.
Have you ever seen the greatness of a human being in the life of a person who knew only a comfortable life was happiness? There will be no one who will not face strong winds on the path of life. The question is how your faith and will interpret and handle that wish.
Dear saints,
Saints must overcome hardships. Also, in such a life, we must set an example for other believers. It is not only important to overcome hardship, but I pray in the name of the Lord that you will become the children of the Lord who can grow through suffering.