Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary

Seeing Things from God’s Perspective
Philippians 1: 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. (NKJV)

 

The Apostle Paul, writing while under house arrest in Rome to the church at Philippi, begins this passage with “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (v.21). He lives to do the work of Christ, but he knows that to die would mean Heaven for him, most definitely a “gain” for his life. 

He is looking at things from his own perspective, not God’s. He would rather be in Heaven than confined to chains under house arrest.

Paul writes “But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell” (v. 22). Paul also realizes that he can do effective work for the Lord if he stays. He does not know which is best. 

Paul continues “For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (v. 23). He is torn between Heaven and, Hell on earth, prison. It is “far better” for him, personally, to be in Heaven “with Christ”. 

Paul writes “Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (v. 24).  Then he sees things from God’s perspective and realizes that it will be better for the church, and God, if he stays. 

Next, Paul writes “And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith” (v. 25). Now that Paul is convinced it is better to stay, he is confident that the Lord will let him continue to do his work, helping the church to progress and increasing their joy. 

He continues “that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again” (v. 26). Paul knows that their joy in Christ Jesus will overflow because of his ministry. 

It is best that he return to the church in Philippi and minister. Paul started the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey. 

They have become a model church. The fact that he is writing of returning to them indicates that he is anticipating being released from house arrest. 

Paul continues “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ,” (v. 27a). Since he is convinced that the Lord has more work for him on earth, Paul continues his work by cautioning the believers at Philippi to be, no matter what happens, Christ like in all that they do. 

Paul writes “so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (v. 27b).  Whether he sees them in person or only hears about them from prison, Paul wants to know that they are of one accord, united in the work of the gospel. 

Next, Paul writes “and not in any way terrified by your adversaries” (v. 28a). He exhorts them not to be frightened by persecution. 

Paul continues “which is to them a proof of perdition” (v. 28b).  He writes that if they stand strong in the face of persecution two things will happen. First, their enemies will know that they are fighting against God, and that they will be destroyed. 

Paul writes “but to you of salvation, and that from God” (v.28c). The second thing is that the enemies will know that God will save his people in the end. God may save the believers’ physical bodies, but most certainly will save their spiritual bodies. 

Next, Paul writes “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (v.29).  Because they are Christians, they will suffer for Christ. 

Paul concludes this passage by writing “having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me” (v.30). Paul was living proof of that persecution. They saw his persecution while he was with them, and, also, have heard of his present persecution in prison. 

As Christians, we can look at things in one of two ways, our perspective or God’s perspective. In the face of persecution, from our perspective we may think it is better for us to depart this earth and bask in the beauty of Heaven. 

But God’s perspective is to stay and continue to do his work. As Christians we are to look at things from God’s perspective. 

Like Christ and Paul, we are not to fear persecution but are to stand firm in the midst of it. We are to continue to serve God, and not man. 

All they can do is destroy the body. God will save our soul. 

The persecutors will be destroyed forever and we will abide with our lord Jesus Christ forever in Heaven. We win in the end!