Scripture:

Philippians 1:20–21

20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way but that by my speaking with all boldness Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. (NRSVUE)

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Philippians from prison. His reference to shame is interesting because one can imagine all the shame associated with imprisonment in his world, but I don’t think that’s primarily what he’s talking about. His whole life has become wrapped up in Jesus Christ and sharing Christ with everyone he encounters. His eager expectation and hope is that he will not shrink back, but that Christ will continue to be exalted through him.

Notice that Paul doesn’t determine what faithfulness looks like by his circumstances. He doesn’t say, “Once I get out of prison, I’ll get back to preaching.” Right there, in the middle of his confinement and uncertainty, he wants to speak with boldness and exalt Christ.

Paul knows that the consequences could include death, but even that doesn’t determine his faithfulness. If he lives, he lives for Christ. If he dies, he will be with Christ.

“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.”

His circumstances don’t get to define him. Christ does.

Application:

I’ve recently read about some of the wealthiest people in the world who are preparing for doomsday scenarios. Concerned about what might happen to society in the future, including the possible effects of AI, some have reportedly looked for remote places where they could build elaborate bunkers.

I’ll be honest—I can’t think of anything I’d like less than surviving the end of civilization alone in a bunker surrounded by canned food!

But maybe that’s because this passage reminds me that preserving my life at all costs isn’t the ultimate goal.

Living is Christ. Dying is gain.

That doesn’t mean we don’t value life or take reasonable steps to preserve it. Life is a gift from God. But because I know Christ, fear of losing my life doesn’t have to determine how I live it.

And that’s really what I hear Paul saying. This passage isn’t about prolonging life or avoiding death. It’s about remaining faithful to Christ whatever the circumstances.

Paul was called to proclaim Christ. Prison didn’t change that calling. Uncertainty didn’t change it. Even the possibility of death didn’t change it. His circumstances didn’t determine who he was because his relationship with Christ was foundational to everything else.

The same can be true for us.

When we become fully committed to life in the Spirit, there is a peace that comes from surrendering our need to control where the journey takes us. We aren’t the Stream, and we don’t determine where it goes. Our calling is to remain faithful and follow where the Spirit leads.

That doesn’t mean we become passive. Paul certainly wasn’t passive. He prayed, preached, wrote, encouraged, and continued to proclaim Christ with boldness. But he didn’t have to control the outcome. Whether prison or freedom, life or death, he was willing to entrust the direction of his life to God.

There is freedom in that kind of dependence.

Ministers, we are not defined by our current ministry location, the size of our congregation, or the position we hold. We are called to faithful dependence upon God.

Laypeople, you are not defined by your financial success, your job title, or what the world considers achievement. You are invited to become God’s instrument of grace right where you are.

We are not defined by our positions.

We are defined by our relationship with Christ and our faithfulness to Him.

So wherever we find ourselves today, may we speak and live with holy boldness. We don’t control how others respond. We don’t control tomorrow. We don’t even control how long we will live.

But we can determine whom we will follow.

I don’t need to build a bunker somewhere to ride out whatever lies ahead. I want to remain in the stream of the Spirit, faithfully following wherever He leads and praying for holy boldness along the way.

Because whether by life or by death, may Christ be exalted.

Prayer:

Lord, I pray for holy boldness. Thank You for the peace that comes from knowing You. Help me to surrender my need to control where the journey takes me and to trust the leading of Your Spirit. Whatever circumstances I may face, help me not to shrink back, but to remain faithful to You. May Christ be exalted in my life, for to live is Christ and to die is gain. Amen.