Reflecting on Philippians - Philippians 1:22-26

Paul is conflicted as to whether it would be right to be in Christ’s more immediate presence or whether he should struggle on with the mission to which God has called him as the current task of his earthly life. Both are attractive propositions. As Howard Marshall (The Epistle to the Philippians) says: “Paul feels like the rope in a tug o’ war contest.” He makes reference to being “hard pressed between the two”. However, in the end, it is all in God’s hands and he believes it right to continue the mission task of telling the good news about Jesus Christ. He feels that he has a responsibility to do that so long as he can, as it will, hopefully, be to the benefit of his listeners, those to whom he is writing. Marshall puts it like this: “if he had the power to decide, then he would have to say that present Christian service was more necessary than personal enjoyment of full communion with Christ in the world to come.” Paul is clear that being with Christ has to be better but, for the moment, he is called to something else, and retaining his earthly existence is, as he writes, more necessary. He has a task, and it is important that he stays with it. I wonder how we regard the present service to which God is calling us, and whether we are doing it full justice. Paul is concerned to see growing disciples. He wants those who are reading this letter to progress in the faith. That will cause him, and the whole church on earth and in heaven, joy. He talks about abundant boasting. Boasting tends to have negative connotations, but not so when we are boasting about the right things. Boasting about the love and grace of God is always good.