TUESDAY August 27, 2024
Christ Be Magnified
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 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.
Philippians 1:19-20
Paul was assured of his deliverance. To be clear, the word deliverance is a reference to the Greek translation for salvation. It can also be translated as “well-being” or “escape.” Therefore, we can conclude that what Paul said can refer to his salvation; his freedom from his current situation under house arrest, or his deliverance from Roman execution. Although we cannot be completely sure of what Paul intended when he wrote these verses to the Philippians, he seemed to know, one way or the other, that freedom would ultimately be his.
In his current circumstances, Paul had a firm confidence placed in an eternal hope. He described it as an earnest expectation and hope. In the Greek language, we are given a picture of “a watching with outstretched hands with the attention concentrated on one object and turned away from all other objects.” His focus was solely on his hope in Jesus Christ––nothing else––not his circumstances.
Whether Paul lived or died, he knew Christ would be magnified. This was his consuming passion––to magnify Christ by any means. Is this your consuming passion? In this life, have you fixed your eyes upon your eternal hope? The object of your Christianity is to have your life revolve around Him, whether you live or die. Christ needs to be everything to you.
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, the LORD be magnified!
~Psalm 40:16~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
