Scripture
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20
Observation
Paul was praying with joy for church in Philippi, even when he was in chains, defending and confirming the Gospel.
He sees his own suffering was serving to advance the gospel (v12), because most of the church became more confident in the Lord and were pushing even harder to proclaim the gospel.
He hoped that he would keep this courage to always exalt Christ, while he lives but also in his death.
Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Application
How do we, as a church, respond today when we hear stories of people preaching the gospel in persecuted countries?
Do we just cheer for them? Do we feel sad for them? Do we feel afraid that could be happening to us one day?
The early church, when hearing the stories of Paul, respond by becoming more confident in the Lord and proclaiming the gospel even more, without fear (v14).
As Christians, we must feel pushed out of our comfort zone, to be more bold, to proclaim more, to face the challenges without the of fear of shame, the fear of rejection, the fear of “what others will think about me”.
We cannot be a “007 Christian”, those like a undercover agent, afraid to be discovered by the surrounding group. That believe in Jesus, but lives a Christian life at church, or when surrounded by a Christian community, and another life “like them”, to fit in.
Paul finishes this chapter by saying:
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,”
Philippians 1:29
Prayer
Lord, help me to be more bold and to always remember that I must have determination, passion and efforts to proclaim the message of the gospel proactively. I pray that my days won’t be filled with just “the normal”, but with the intensity of seeing what you are doing, and participate on how your Spirit is moving here in Japan. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
