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Paul is unashamed (Philippians 1:20 ). His consecrated determination is to magnify the Lord. By example he would teach what the Lord intended for the fellowship. The word "magnify" means "to make great." HOW? We cannot add to His power - glory - wealth - all His. The world is blind to His glory - we are to magnify Christ by making Him conspicuously manifest in our lives - through loyalty and loving obedience. There is nothing more convincing than someone living for Him - by daily being yielded to and yoked with Christ, that the world may see our wonderful Lord.
Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together."
The screen on which the unseen life and love of Christ is to be reflected, is our body. We hear people say, "I am with you in spirit", when what is needed is their physical presence. The Lord Jesus needed a body in which to fulfill His covenant pledges.
Hebrews 10:5 "Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me."
If spirit were enough, Jesus need not have come - a body gave Him the capacity to live, to suffer, and to die, as man for men. God wants to get hold of our bodies where sin reigned, the way through which Satan got in, - God wants to reign and show forth His glory. Are our bodies yielded to sinful practices, or are they dedicated to pleasing Him? Are our bodies yielded to the Lord Jesus? An Old Testament challenging example of three men who presented their bodies.
It may be more costly for you to present your body a living sacrifice (Romans 12:2 ). When all the fellowship responds it becomes super magnification of Him.
"Whether by life or by death" (Philippians 1:20 ). Paul was ready to go to the limit for the Lord Jesus. Life takes on meaning only as it gives opportunity to magnify the Lord. He does not shrink from life or death. No interruption is tolerated in his passion to magnify the Lord. "As always, so now" (Philippians 1:20 KJV), is the ruling principle of his life. As a fellowship the need is an "as always, so now" experience. Not a "wishful thinking, tomorrow" experience. Insist that it be a passion of now and every day.
Service comes before self, with the apostle. It is not a "What is in it for me?" attitude. His course is decided by "what is more needful for you?" This is a wonderful secret of happy fellowship from Paul's example. His desire is to depart. "I am hard-pressed between the two." (Philippians 1:23 KJV) Not because he is disappointed - or fed up with life. Far from it - wants nothing out of life, but Christ. Wants nothing out of death, but to be with Christ (Philippians 1:21 ). He has everything to live for - and everything to die for. "To die is gain" (Philippians 1:21 KJV). "To be with Christ which is far better" (Philippians 1:23 KJV). Not loss, but gain. Not termination, but translation. A far better life awaits us. A more gainful employment.
No wonder Paul is hard pressed between the two. He wants to go home but tasks remain to be done. He knows what is best for him - but what is best for the brethren prevails (Philippians 1:24 ). To stay for the furtherance of the gospel for the furtherance of their joy and faith (Philippians 1:25 ). FOR CHRIST AND SOULS - must be the deciding factor of our lives and that of the fellowship. To live must be Christ first - foremost - finally. To be a happy fellowship each member must so resolve and live. "Christ will be magnified in my body" (Philippians 1:20 NKJV) - personally and as a fellowship together.
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTIONAre you prepared to go to the ultimate limit for the Lord Jesus? (Philippians 1:21 ).
Have you decided to live by the principle, as a member of the fellowship, what is more needful for you? (Philippians 1:23-24 ).
Do you have everything to live for, and everything to die for? (Philippians 1:21,23 ).