Paul’s Overriding Desire
In this week’s passage of our Philippians Study, we get a snapshot of Paul’s desires. There is a conflict waging inside his soul. He wants to be with Christ, “for that is far better” (1:23) He longs for Christ and to be rid of his aching, imprisoned body. Later in Philippians we see this longing more clearly: “we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (3:20-21).
Yet he knows that staying on this earth “means fruitful labor” (1:22) and “is more necessary” (1:24) for the sake of the Philippians’ progress in the faith.
But there is yet another desire. An overriding desire: The glory of Christ.
More of Paul’s Desire, and a Study Tip!
This is not the first time we have seen this in the book of Philippians. When I am studying a passage and I start to think there might be a theme present, I will try to take some time to go back and dig a little bit. So, let’s do some digging! Let’s take a look back over the verses we have studied so far, and re-read them, specifically looking for Paul’s desire for the glory of Christ. Here is what I found:
- Philippians 1:9-11: “And it is my prayer that…to the glory and praise of God”
- Philippians 1:12-18: “Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (his perspective about being imprisoned)
- Philippians 1:20: “it is my eager expectation and hope that…Christ will be honored in my body”
- Philippians 1:23: “My desire is to depart and be with Christ” (Paul’s desire in death)
- Philippians 1:26: “so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus” (Paul’s desire in life)
This is all just in the first 26 verses of the book! I know that we will continue to see more of this theme; Paul’s desire for the glory of Christ.
Making Application
I just love the wording of Philippians 1:26:
…so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
I pray that my children and husband would have ample cause to glory in Christ because of my presence in their life. I hope that my friends, neighbors and anyone else I encounter can see Christ in me and can praise God for the joy of Christ brought to them through me.
I fear that more often there is little that is praise-worthy in my life, little that gives God glory. But by God’s grace I will press on, even in my failures, because even when I have completely messed up God can be glorified!
What about you? What did you see this week in Philippians? Do you have any questions? Any thing you want to share about what the Lord has shown you in His word?
I went back this week and looked at where the Philippian church began (Acts 16). Very exciting to see how God’s Spirit led Paul there. With purpose.
I think you captured Paul’s overriding desire exactly, Katie: for Christ to receive glory.
That’s what I wrote in my journal for Day 5. What am I to DO with this passage? Let Christ be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. But figuring out exactly HOW isn’t as clear to me so I will be praying more about that.
Of course one way is to not complain about the hand I’ve been dealt. Like so many, I have aches and pains every day that I have to learn to live with, and to do that without grumbling can be a challenge. But as with any challenge—physical or otherwise—I must put faith in the Lord’s ability to strengthen me to accomplish what HE wants done through me. Whether I make Christ known or not is the most important thing about me.
Another thing I kept noticing in these verses was Paul’s confidence. He knew how this would all turn out: rescue! He also had great confidence in God’s power to sustain his contentment, as well as confidence that the work wasn’t about him, but for him to finish what God wanted him to do in helping others.
This struck me as well for the first time: that Christ is to be glorified in my body no matter what.
I was almost afraid to pray before starting the study today. I didn’t really want to ask myself ‘What is the Lord leading me to DO as a result of this passage?’ I know He used/s ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His kingdom and for His glory, but that He would want to use me to glorify Him…. Like you said, “I fear that more often there is little that is praise-worthy in my life, little that gives God glory.” I love that Paul allowed God to use Him even in the situation He was in to bring Him glory. If He was able to do that through a man who was behind prison walls, how much more can He use each one of us!
I love how you pull truths out of these verses. I totally missed that in 1:26. I did write a whole page of truths in my journal from this passage. Loving this study!
Hi Ladies
Here are my thoughts for the week:
In this familiar passage what jumped out at me was the two objects of Paul’s desires regarding his deliverance. He knew he would be taken out of his present circumstance two ways… death or a physical release from captivity.
Death meant a departure from this physical, sinful earth to be with his Saviour, Jesus Christ his first object of desire. He saw this process of death not a something to be feared but as the necessary process to the ultimate reward of a fruitful Christian life- eternity with Christ.
His second desire is for others… to live his life to point others towards Christ. He knew his remaining in the flesh would be better for the spiritual development of others.
What was glaringly absent to me, as I read and reread this passage several times throughout the week was any desire for his own comfort. His ambition in life was to please Christ and serve others. Period.
Here’s my post…
http://hideandseekadventures.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-not-about-me.html
Katie, I’m so blessed by this blog and this study. I’ve been behind, but I’m catching up. (I hope it’s okay to mention, but I babbled some thoughts about what happened to “make me” behind on one of my recent posts here: http://undergodsmightyhand.blogspot.com/2011/06/focusing-first.html )
Thank you for this post. I love the truths you’ve clarifying and highlighted here. I’m always drawn by how important fellowship is to Paul. Fellowship focused on glorifying Christ holds such strong importance.
In Philippians 1:19, Paul shows the power of prayers working with the “Spirit of Jesus Christ.” The New Bible Commentary says of this verse: “Humanly speaking [Paul] relied on the prayers of his friends, and in answer to them the unfailing help of the Holy Spirit.” A few verses later in verse 25, Paul highlights the importance of growing together in fellowship, whether it be mentoring or peer relationships. He knows part of his purpose is to “continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith…” Both of these small truths focus on growing, learning, and boasting not in people, but in Christ.
I love what Lisa said above about Paul’s confidence in his writing! I notice that too. And that confidence isn’t even in himself, but because of our unfailing, unwavering God!