Philippians 1:19-21 - That Christ Will Be Magnified in My Body

Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:19–21, where the Apostle Paulwrites: “For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through yourprayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. According to my earnestexpectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with allboldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whetherby life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Herethe Apostle Paul shares his heart in verse 20—that in nothing he would beashamed, but that Christ would be magnified in his body, whether by life or bydeath. That is a powerful statement. You see, Paul’s greatest concern was nothis comfort. It was not his reputation. It was not even his survival. His onegreat desire was that Christ might be magnified. Iread something that I felt I ought to share with you: “How does Christ need tobe magnified? After all, how can a mere human being ever magnify the Son ofGod? The stars are much bigger than the telescope, yet the telescope magnifiesthem and brings them closer. The believer’s body is to be a telescope thatbrings Jesus Christ close to people. You see, to the average person, Christ isa distant figure in history who lived centuries ago. But as the unsaved watchthe believer go through a crisis, they can see Jesus magnified and brought muchcloser through the life of a Christian with a single mind. Christ is with ushere and now.” “Thetelescope brings distant things closer, and the microscope makes tiny thingslook big. To the unbeliever, Jesus is not very big. Other people and otherthings are far more important in their lives. But as the unbeliever watches theChristian go through a crisis experience, they ought to be able to see howgreat Jesus Christ really is. The believer’s body becomes a lens that makeswhat seems like a small Christ to them appear very great—and brings what seemsdistant very near.” Oh my friend, how powerful that truth is. Thisis what we see in 2 Corinthians chapter 4. When we go through a crisis as abeliever, we are vessels that carry a great treasure—and that treasure is JesusChrist. When we are knocked down, yet get back up… when we are persecuted, yetrespond with grace… when we bless those who oppose us and pray, “Father,forgive them; for they know not what they do”—and people are watching us—theybegin to see something different. And they say, “Wow, how did you do that?”  Thatis why in 2 Corinthians 4 it speaks of Christ being made manifest in our mortalbody. Paul’s one desire was to magnify Christ—to make Him large, visible, andexalted. He was saying, “I want my life, or even my death, to make Christclearly seen.” This echoes what he wrote in Galatians 2:20: “I am crucifiedwith Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” Andin 2 Corinthians 5:15: “That they which live should not henceforth live untothemselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Oh my friend, weshould desire to be able to say with the Apostle Paul: “For to me to live isChrist, and to die is gain.” Thiswas not just theology for Paul—this was his life motto. To live is Christ: Christis his purpose. Christ is his message. Christ is his strength. Christ is hisreason for living.  “Andto die is gain.” Why?Because to depart and be with Christ is far better. “To be absent from thebody is to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Paul is saying,“If I live, I serve Christ. If I die, I go to Christ. Either way, I win.” Oh,what a great message for us today. Today,I trust that even as you face the crises of life, Christ will be magnified inyou—so that those who do not know Him will see the real Christ living in you. Godbless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!