Read Philippians 1:21-30
21For what is life? To me, it is Christ.
Death, then, will bring more. 22But if by continuing to live I can
do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose. 23I
am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with
Christ, which is a far better thing; 24but for your sake it is much
more important that I remain alive. 25I am sure of this, and so I
know that I will stay. I will stay on with you all, to add to your progress and
joy in the faith, 26so that when I am with you again, you will have
even more reason to be proud of me in your life in union with Christ Jesus.
27 Now,
the important thing is that your way of life should be as the gospel of Christ
requires, so that, whether or not I am able to go and see you, I will hear that
you are standing firm with one common purpose and that with only one desire you
are fighting together for the faith of the gospel. 28Don’t be afraid
of your enemies; always be courageous, and this will prove to them that they
will lose and that you will win, because it is God who gives you the victory. 29For
you have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in
him, but also by suffering for him. 30Now you can take part with me
in the battle. It is the same battle you saw me fighting in the past, and as
you hear, the one I am fighting still.
Think
In prison - threatened by
death - Paul encourages the church. He
reminds them that life is a privilege and a gift and should be fully dedicated
to Christ.
As Paul offers his life as an
example for others - can you think of those who have inspired you in your walk?
Pray
Lord, as we think of Paul who
writes to encourage us from prison we think of Christians suffering persecution
in our world today. Let their suffering
not be in vain; but let it encourage us to work harder for your Kingdom.
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