In Philippians 1:20 Paul writes, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.”
It is impossible to read what Paul has to say and miss the fact that his whole life was wrapped up in Christ. He was in prison for Christ. He trusted that his deliverance (vs. 19) would come through Christ, one way or another. His expression was that he would “in no way be ashamed” or in other words would not be disappointed. Christ was not going to let him down.
Paul was focused on Christ. His chief desire was that no matter what was going on in his life, Christ would be magnified in those experiences. And what is more, he knew it would be so “whether by life or by death.” This was Paul’s desire. This was his passion.
Just as Paul was focused on Christ so should we be. We need to yearn for the preeminence of Christ, not simply because He is preeminent, but because we earnestly desire Him to have first place in our lives. This is what is lacking in so many Christians and churches today – a real passion for God. Is it lacking in your life? Are you passionate about your walk with Christ?
My prayer is that our hearts would yearn for God more than they yearn for anything else. Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ” (1:21). Do you see his passion? Do you want that passion? That’s what we need. We need to see that Christ is our life. He is the reason for living. He gives our lives meaning. And ultimately, He will be our destiny.
