“with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. … But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.” – Philippians 1:20b, 22 (NASB)
Yesterday we looked at verse 21 bracketed by today’s passage. Let’s understand that Paul is in prison in Rome. He knows he may lose his head at Caesar’s will. He does not fear death. Paul’s life or his death was 100% in God’s hands. This is true for all of us. Frequently I hear faith believers mention what they want from this life before they die, before heaven. This is thinking they will miss whatever it is when they are in heaven. The won’t, not a bit. If we never get to do, see, have, experience whatever our heart desires before we die, we will never experience that loss when we are in the very presence of God the Father. Paul the Apostle knows this. That is what he is saying. If God wants him to remain on the earth and gives him the opportunity, he will do the work he has been called to do joyfully. The result will be fruitful labor for Jesus – a good blessing. But he also knows the glory and promise of heaven is always an even better blessing. Next, he’ll tell us how he processes this “conundrum” he faces.
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Esengo Mingi 