Philippians 1:19-21 - Not I, But Christ

“ForI know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and thesupply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation andhope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, sonow also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. Forto me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”Aswe think about these verses and consider the Apostle Paul and his greattestimony—writing this letter from a prison in Rome to his friends and thesaints at Philippi—we must be reminded what the whole book of Philippians isabout. It is a message of joy, a message of encouragement. Despite ourcircumstances, we can still be encouraged, and we can encourage others. Paulcould say, as you come to chapter 4: “I can do all things through Christ whostrengthens me.” He could also say: “I know that God will supply allyour need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Iam telling you—and I want to remind you, and I may have said this before—wecannot truly say those things, that God will supply all our needs and that wecan do all things through Christ, unless, like Paul in chapter 1, we have asingle mind. Paul had a single mind toward the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had asingle focus on Jesus Christ Himself. Aswe look at these verses before us today, we also need to see how they connectto the previous verses. Remember, in verses 15–18, Paul had just talked aboutpeople preaching Christ with mixed motives—some sincerely, others out of envyand selfish ambition. Instead of becoming bitter, discouraged, or distracted,Paul made a conscious choice: he would rejoice that Christ is being preached. Nowin verses 19–21, we see why Paul could respond that way. Notice, his focus wasnot on people. His focus was not on circumstances. His focus was on Christbeing magnified, no matter what happened to him. Is that your focus—that Christwould be magnified as you go through difficult and trying times? Or do we findourselves complaining, calling others, or even posting things just to makepeople feel sorry for us? No, my friend. I am telling you, when Christ and HisHoly Spirit are working in us, we desire for Him to be magnified. It is notI, but Christ. “I must decrease, and He must increase”, as John the Baptistsaid (John 3:30). Paulsays in this passage: “I know that this will turn out for my deliverance.” Thisword “deliverance” carries the idea of ultimate vindication. Paul isconfident—not necessarily that he will be released from prison or escapesuffering—but that God will accomplish His purpose in him and through him. Noticehow this deliverance comes. He says: “Through your prayer and the supply ofthe Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Deliverance comes through the prayers of God’speople. Iknow how important it is to have people praying for us—to be part of afellowship, not living in isolation, but having friends who will pray for us aswe go through difficult times, and even when things are going well. My friend,I would not be sitting here before you today if it were not for the prayers ofmy mom and dad, and for the prayers of people who love me, care about me, andhave faithfully prayed for me. Yes,through the prayers of God’s people and through the supply of the Spirit ofJesus Christ. We are sustained by the prayers of God’s people and by the powerof the Holy Spirit working in us and through us. This connects beautifully withRomans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to themthat love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Yes,my friend, even opposition, even wrong motives in others, even imprisonment—Godcan use it all for His glory. So keep your eyes on Him today. Godbless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!