“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” – Philippians 1:19-20 KJV
Not only did Paul believe in Jesus Christ, he expected great things from Him. Of course, his expectations had nothing to do with selfish ambition, but everything to do with making his life full with Jesus’ presence. In other words, Paul wanted Christ to be magnified in his life. Christ magnified–what an intriguing concept! It was as though Paul were saying that he wanted to see the life of Christ increased in his own life and all desire for worldly pleasure to pale away to nothing, that he might set an example before others of what its like to be one with Jesus.
What kind of example are you setting before others? Is your life reflective of something that leaves unbelievers feeling ashamed for lack of it or do you shame Christ by being worldly minded? Listen, going to church once or twice a week, saying grace before meals, praying in the morning and in the evening and reading the Bible from time to time is not going to secure a ticket into heaven. Such things shouldn’t be done because we want to get into heaven, but because we want Christ to be magnified in our lives; that is, we should do them out of love for God. Of course, we can’t earn our way into heaven anyway; for salvation is by grace through faith. Not by works! And I’m thankful for that; for if it were by works then who could be saved?
No matter who you are, you will leave something behind you, either good or bad. As for Paul, there’s no doubt that people mostly remember him for having been a man who loved Jesus Christ, so much that he was willing to die for Him. But how will you be remembered? Have you thought about that much? What kind of impressions are you making with others? What are you really magnifying in your life?
Granted, we’ve all failed to live up to the faith at times, hurting others in the process. But failure doesn’t mean success is out reach. It just simply means that we need to choose to take another course, to do what’s right in God’s eyes. Indeed, the measure of difference that we make in this world will be determined by what we choose to magnify. Therefore don’t seek to fulfill selfish ambition, but be a light to the world instead. Desire that Christ be magnified in your body; let “God is Love” be the theme of your life and the testimony of your actions. Always seek to do what is pleasing in His sight and you will have nothing to be ashamed of in the end.