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Can God Get Glory from My Life?
by Dominique Henderson
Paul wrote to the church in Philippi about living for Christ or dying to gain. Amazingly, either way he was content with what God would decide for him. His death would enable him to receive a reward for all his labor, and his continued living would result in fruitful labor for the kingdom. Is your life as a Christian resulting in fruitful labor for the kingdom despite the opposition you may face? Paul clues us in as to how to produce “fruitful labor” in verses 27,28 of Philippians 1. Let’s take a look at his instructions. First, we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. What does that mean? In the case of the church in Philippi, I think Paul was saying that whatever happened to him that they should remain in one like-minded spirit, despite the opposition they may face. Paul was a good source of information for this from his many experiences. He knew that in standing for the gospel of Jesus Christ, there would be tests of faith in various life circumstances. James attests to this also in his epistle, in chapter 1 verse 2 by saying “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials”. Paul had been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and imprisoned for the name of Christ during his gospel spreading treks. So he wanted them to be encouraged to continue together in the faith regardless if he were there or not—and regardless of what they might experience. Difficult times were on the horizon for those saints of the Lord just as they are now for those naming the name of Christ today. Paul also addresses what opposes our faith in verse 28. How do we react in the face of opposition? This comes several ways, no? It may come through financial difficulty, problems on the job, with our children, within marriage, and many other ways. But the most important thing as a Christian holding on to a confession of faith is what? Our reaction, our response of course. We shouldn’t be frightened (or alarmed) as the scripture tells us (see Philippians 1:28). We should understand that as James 1:4 indicates, these trials are to complete us. They come to mature us in the faith. My friend, God is in a process of shaping us into the image of his Son which requires that we move from glory to glory even though that process involves some pain. But with each trial that we endure we can safely rely on the fact that God is doing this all for our good. He knows the plans that he has for us as Jeremiah 29:11 tells us. And each instance of trial has a defined benefit ordained by God. The testing of our faith leads to endurance which leads to becoming a complete saint of God. You see we not only have been given the fortunate opportunity to believe on Jesus Christ, but also to suffer for his sake (see Philippians 1:29). Look to face opposition proudly by remaining faithful to the One that can bring you through on the other side just as Paul knew that to live was Christ and to die was gain. God Bless!
God I thank you that you have allowed opposition to come in my life to make me what you want me to be. Please allow my faith to grow under this opposition for you glory and honor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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