Philippians 1:21 - The Secret of Living.
Philippians 1:21 (NLT) For to me, living
means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
Philippians 1:21 (Phillips) For living to me
means simply Christ, and if I die I should
merely gain more of him.
Philippians 1:21 (MSG) Alive, I'm Christ's
messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more
life! I can't lose.
INTRODUCTION
To me, to live is Christ. i.e., our lives
should find all their meaning in Christ. [Ryrie SB
mod]
Christ was the source and secret of Paul's
continual joy (even in prison), for Paul's life found
all its meaning in Christ. [NIV SB]
To those who don't believe in God, life on
earth is all there is, and so it is natural for
them to strive for this world's values - money,
popularity, power, pleasure, and prestige. For Paul,
however, to live meant to develop eternal values and
to tell others about Christ, who alone could
help them see life from an eternal perspective.
[Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Staircase or Stumbling Block?
C. S. Lewis said, If you read history,
you will find that the Christians who did the
most for the present world were precisely those
who thought most about the next.
So what does it really mean to be
heavenly-minded? Does it mean that were out of touch and
dont care about other people? I think its the
very opposite.
When you live for Christ, you will think
of others. As the apostle Paul said, To me,
to live is Christ (Philippians 1:21 NKJV).
We might hear a statement like that and think,
You have your head in the clouds. Youre out
of touch with reality.
But when youre really living for
Christ, its a practical spirituality.
Historically, for example, Christians have been the ones
who led the way in every area of life. Theyve
opened some of our greatest hospitals and
universities because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Over the years, Ive met a lot of
really impressive people, including some very godly
people. But the godliest people Ive ever met were
Billy and Ruth Graham. They were impressive
publicly, of course. But what was so amazing to me is
that privately, they were so down to earth. They
were just real people.
I think that when youre truly godly,
you will be an accessible person, not a
self-righteous person. Some people try to make everything
so spiritual that they wont even laugh at or
enjoy anything. I would describe them as Bobby
Buzzkill and Debbie Downer.
Dont be that person. A godly person,
someone who is living for Christ, is caring and
loving. They possess a practical spirituality.
What kind of representative are you as a
follower of Jesus? Are you a staircase or a stumbling
block? Are you a bridge or a barrier to people
coming to Christ? [Greg Laurie from Harvest
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
"For to me to live is Christ," he declared.
This is the most perfect interpretation in a few
words, in all the Scriptures, of what it means to
be a Christian. This is the whole truth of the
gospel. Paul understood what many seem unable to
comprehend. How intensely in earnest he was! His words
show that his mind was centered in Christ, that
his whole life was bound up with his Lord.
Christ was the author, the support, and the source
of his life. 7BC903
Jesus Christ is everything to us, - the
first, the last, the best in everything. Jesus
Christ, His Spirit, His character, colors
everything; it is the warp and woof, the very texture of
our entire being. The words of Christ are spirit
and life. We cannot, then, center our thoughts
upon self; it is no more we that live, but Christ
that liveth in us, and He is the hope of glory.
Self is dead, but Christ is a living Saviour.
Continuing to look unto Jesus, we reflect His image to
all around us. We cannot stop to consider our
disappointments, or even to talk of them; for a more pleasant
picture attracts our sight, - the precious love of
Jesus. TM389-390
Christ is mine and I am His. It is
positively necessary for us to sit down and think how
Christ our Saviour descended from heaven, from the
throne of God, clothing His divinity with humanity,
to show all mankind what human beings may
become if they will unite their weakness to His
strength, if they will die to self and live to Christ.
Thus the strong, unchristlike traits of character
that they have cherished will be softened,
subdued, purified. They will unite one with another,
that they may be one with Christ in God.
5MR368,9
CLOSING PEARLS
"Life is what we are alive to," wrote
Maltbie Babcock. Sports fans may be weary, but if
they hear of an athletic event taking place, they
come alive and want to attend. Hungry people are
alive to the mention of food, and avid shoppers
come alive at the announcement of a sale. So
Christians are alive to all pertaining to Jesus Christ,
for Christ is their very life. [Chapter by
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
Are you willing to cast down the idols you
have cherished? Are you willing to let Jesus
enter the heart to cleanse it from all that
defiles? Are you at all times and under all
circumstances, obtaining the mastery over yourself? Can you
say, "For me to live is Christ," I am His?
Whatever I have, of time, or strength, or influence,
all is His? Are you representing Him by your
forbearance, your patience, your unselfishness? Are you
learning to be like Him? ST 04-09-02
"Only one life, 'twill soon be past.
Only what's done for Christ will last.'
"To me to live is Christ"
[Billy Graham]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Philippians 1:21 - The Secret of Living.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190804-1139.html
Philippians 1:21 - Really Living Is A
Relationship With Christ.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20080829-1525.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
