Philippians 1:19–21
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Paul lived a life of total commitment to Christ. There was no duplicity in Him. He was a bi-vocational. He not only worked a secular job but also worked in the calling of God as a missionary, church planter, pastor, and evangelist. These titles were Paul’s calling. Paul was also a prisoner. He was a hated man by the Jewish elite and by the Roman government for different reasons. In his early years as a Christian, Because of Paul’s persecution of Christians, many followers of Christ feared him.
For the sake of living his life for Jesus Paul gave up everything from his post-Christian life. The only power Paul desired was that of the Holy Spirit working in him. No matter his circumstances Paul was always preaching Christ. Jesus was the heartbeat of Paul.
Paul’s life probably ended with him being beheaded in a Roman prison, the Scripture does not say how Paul died.
I wonder in my own life if others see Jesus. Do I live my life for Jesus? Can I have the confidence in my Christian life that I can say as Paul did, “I know that this will turn out for my deliverance…” Paul did not just talk about his faith…he lived it. Paul was not just a disciple of Christ when others were around him, even in the most isolated dark days of his life, he was committed to Jesus.
Paul was the talk of the town. Paul did not want others talking about him, for Paul, it was all about Jesus. Can you imagine being a Roman guard assigned to guard Paul? Most prisoners were crude, rude, and difficult. Paul was celebrating Jesus. Paul had a captive audience of prison guards and Paul was able to tell them about his Savior and Lord.
Paul’s focus was Jesus and because Jesus was his focus, people were very important to him.
Paul knew God was in control of his life. He not only had this assurance but also the assurance that others were praying for him.