What drives you with extreme passion? If you had to sum up in one phrase what you actually live for, what would you say? Stop, come on, go there for a moment and write it down!
In Philippians 1, Paul stated what he was passionate about and what he lived for. And, it is what all believers should be living for as well.Paul said, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21 NKJV). When we hear someone make a statement like that, we might feel as though there is a bit of naiveté on his or her part. We might think, "That is a nice sentiment, but I don't know how practical it is."We have heard the criticism of those who are perceived as overly spiritual: "They are so heavenly minded, they are no earthly good."
But I think we will discover that those who have been the most heavenly minded have been the most earthly good.
Christians have founded hospitals and universities. Christians have opened shelters. Christians are reaching out to the downtrodden and the hurting in our world today with the gospel of Christ, not only preaching to them, but clothing and feeding them as well. When a crisis develops somewhere in the world, such as famine or a natural disaster, it is often the Christians who lead the way in responding with help. The truth is, if you are truly heavenly minded, then you will be of the greatest earthly good.
When Paul said, "To live is Christ," he was speaking of the fact that he had an interest in the things of this life as well. A few verses later, he said, "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" (verses 23–24 NKJV). In other words, "I want to be with the Lord, but I have a job to do."What I appreciate about Paul was his practical spirituality. Paul loved Jesus and wanted to live for Him. Without question, he had a holy passion for the things of God. But it is also true that Paul was utterly human. He did not walk around with a little pedestal that he would climb up on when he wanted to say something.
He was someone just like you and me. Paul would get upset at times. But he didn't have a death wish.The godliest people I know are real people. They love God. Their priorities are in order. Yet there is balance to their lives. Theirs is a practical faith, not a spacey, wild-eyed, THE ELEVATOR IS STOPPING ONE FLOOR SHORT kind of spirituality. It is this real faith that the Bible proclaims.
We could effectively impact our culture, if we would say the same thing. To live is Christ.
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