How to Find Your Identity in Christ | Philippians 1:19-26
Today’s Episode: How to Find Your Identity in Christ
Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26
Series: Philippians: The Unshakable Joy of Life in Christ
Do you have unexplainable yet undeniable longings; a persistent ennui from living in a world that has stripped itself of transcendence? Is there a life that offers unshakable joy and unassailable hope — a life full of meaning and purpose, no matter what the external circumstances might look like?
Pastor Jim Thomas continues our series, Philippians: The Unshakable Joy of Life in Christ. In this study of Philippians 1:19-26, we wrestle with Paul’s declaration, “To live is Christ and to die is gain,” exploring how a Christ-centered identity removes the fear of the future.
First, let’s take note of:
The statement learned: “For me, to live is Christ.” v. 21
Dick Lucas points out that everything before that statement explains how Paul came to be able to say it. Everything after it explores what on earth it means to live like that.
“For me, to live is Christ.” What does Paul mean by this?
This is similar to something Paul said when he wrote to the churches in Galatia, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)
“If you were to ask me point-blank, ‘What does it mean to live spiritually?’ I would have to reply, ‘Living with Jesus at the center.’”
Henri Nouwen
2. The secret lived. v. 22
This is not abstract doctrine, it is personal doxology. Note the personal pronoun – for me to live is Christ.
In other words, to know Christ and to be in Christ is to have life. Christ is everything to me and everything that is not Christ is simply peripheral. Christ is the oxygen in my lungs, the food in my belly, the treasure in my pocket. That doesn’t mean everything else is bad or evil. Some of it is so very good. But Christ Himself is life to me. My entire being is wrapped up in Christ.
The Roman Empire was hardly friendly to Christians. The officials could have executed him any day as he was writing this letter. And one day, just a few years after he wrote this letter that is indeed what happened to the apostle Paul. But as you can tell from this letter, Paul saw his life as “in Christ”, a phrase he uses many, many times.
So Paul kept his gaze on the One who is higher than the Roman Empire and higher than any other authority in the universe, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Paul wasn’t living “under the circumstances” he was living above the circumstances and every moment, everything in his life was centered on Christ.
“It seems to me that there are but few who really live with a passion for God-especially a passion just to be with Him. Today there is such a noise coming up before the throne of the Most High-the clamor of so-called praise, singing, and joyful shouting. But I wonder if the same people who love to sing and shout, loudly exclaiming the praises of God, really have such an intense glory in their secret life with the Lord. When the meeting’s over and there’s no one there to listen except the only One who matters, do you still have that same passionate joy in your spirit, just to be alone with the Living God?”
Keith Green, singer-songwriter
3. The struggle felt. vv. 23-26
Notice how Paul lists the tensions in his life. “I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”
Paul does not complain about his circumstances or morbidly say, ‘I just want to die.’ Because in his view, that would be selfish escapism. Paul is torn between two desires that pull at him with almost equal force. The desire to remain in this life and be fruitful for the Philippians, or to experience the magnificence of moving on to the next life in the presence of Christ.
The statement learned: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
The secret lived: Paul wasn’t the prisoner of Rome, Paul was the prisoner of the love of God, which would never, never, ever let go of him. Christ was Paul’s hope, whether in life or in death.
The struggle felt: Longing for his true, eternal home and yet, loving his friends in the church at Philippi. How this letter must have encouraged the Philippians in their faith in Christ. Paul was in prison, they were still free, and yet here in this letter, Paul was building them up in the faith and in the unshakable joy they could have in Christ Jesus!
