Philippians 1:15-21
[15] Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. [16] The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
[17] The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
[18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
[19] for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
[20] as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (ESV)
Meditation on My Christian Service
Apostle Paul’s perspective of Christian Service seems to be very different from many others that I observe and this includes my own.
It is very easy to make Christian Service out of what I do for the Lord.
Christian Activity – Praising God for My Active Service to the Lord!
WARNING: Active Service to Christ can be a Desire of Personal Enterprise.
It is accurately stated, the test of all service is this: Its MOTIVE. Is the motive, from start to finish, that in all things HE (Christ) may have the Preeminence – that Christ may be all in all? It is not so much about WHAT we do as it is about WHY we do it. – Sparks
There is a Great Danger in Serving the Lord.
Outward Expressions with no Examination of Inward Incentives.
If my motive is not right I can do the right thing for the wrong reason. Is it about ME being known or CHRIST being known? This is a Challenge for My Own Heart as a Christian and Preacher of the Gospel.
Have I made the work MINE – it is MY work – it is MY interests; if I am not careful I can take great delight in the service because I am being used rather than delighting in the fact that Christ is being known.
A great test of motive in Christian Service is not so much when I am leading or have involvement in the service but what is MY attitude and satisfaction about the service when I have no visible part in the service.
Can I serve in the shadow? Can I become the cheerleader of others who are being used in the service of the Lord? Am I only willing to rejoice and give and support when I have some direct input into the service?
Christian service is an Attitude that leads ME into an Action that desires to see Christ Exalted whether I have apart in service or not.
It is an Attitude that can rejoice in the usefulness an promotion of others and a willingness to give all I can for the promotion and advancement of others for the Glory of God in Christ even if I am never recognized.
“God forgive me when I am tempted to think of MYSELF as an Needed Instrument in the Service of the Christ, rather than a Grateful Participant to even be in the Kingdom of Christ”
Faithful Christian Service requires My Purposes and Practices to be for Christ to be KNOWN.
This is not to say men will not recognize my gifts and services to the Kingdom.
This is not the question of what am I doing for Christ, but Why Am I doing it?
What is my MOTIVE?
May God by His Grace make Paul’s Words My Words, “that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.