Daily Worship, Spirit and Word - May 13, 2024
How much of what God wants for you comes down to your own decisions and perseverance of faith with patience?
How much does the God we call sovereign leave up to the individual?
Philippians 1:19–26 (NKJV): “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. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”
Paul discusses the possibility that a particular persecution which he is facing will lead to death. He expresses that he is choosing between allowing the persecution to end in his death and not allowing it to. He expresses the faithful opinion that the prayers of his friends and the supply of the Spirit would mean his deliverance. He continues to say that he will choose to remain because he knows that his ministry to them will benefit them. He even says that, while he sees how either outcome will glorify God, his victory will bring them more joy and more faith in Christ Jesus.
So, one can conclude that a person’s faith makes a difference in the outcome. And, if a person’s faith makes a difference in the outcome, then one can further conclude that God gives people a choice of how much of “the inheritance of the saints” and “the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe” they will enjoy in this life. Fight the good fight of faith.