A “NEW”- New Year’s Goal –
“Christ will even now, as always, BE MAGNIFIED {Exalted} in MY BODY whether by life or by death.” -{Phil 1:20}
We get our word “mega” from the word used here for “Magnify”, some translators use the word ” exalted,” The word means to Make Big, Make Large, Great, Exalt, and Honor. To MAKE GREAT, GET GLORY, GET PRAISE. Paul saw his life had one purpose the magnifying, exalting, and making Christ large through his body whether by life or by death, Jesus Christ “magnified” was his goal, that He would get the glory, praise, from the way he lived his life. It did not depend on his circumstances but on his fixed conviction of WHY and WHAT he lived for – “Christ Magnified” in my body- whether I live- his goal- “Christ magnified.” What about dying? “Christ magnified…in my death!”
- Paul was not about preserving his life but using his life to promote and proclaim and live for Jesus Christ, whether he lived or in his death, his “motto,” goal, was “Christ Magnified!” His body was the vehicle to live out his purpose, “Christ magnified.”
- His circumstances were the arena to live for and live out “Christ magnified.” If he had started with a less objective then we would not have seen him in the difficulties of his life which were severe at times pursuing and promoting the LORD Jesus as he did, We know it is only possible by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. A good reminder is “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him…”_2 Chron 16:9}
Paul was Christ intoxicated! Paul had a single purpose “CHRIST MAGNIFIED” to have Him as the word means “Enlarged and Exalted” in his life his goal, in his “body.”
* Whether a young “body”- “Christ Magnified” The Goal
* Whether an older “body,” – “Christ Magnified” The Goal!
* Whether a Healthy “Body”- “Christ Magnified” The Goal!
* Whether a Sick “Body”- “Christ Magnified” The Goal!
*The Condition of “my body,” my life may change. BUT NOT The Purpose- “Christ Magnified… in my Body”
Whatever CIRCUMSTANCES we find ourselves in this year, be they “prosperous,” or “difficult” God help us to have this one glorious GOAL- “CHRIST MAGNIFIED!” The “body” we have the vehicle to ” magnify, exalt ” Him. Paul was in prison when he wrote Philippians approx 30 years after his conversion and his heart was not growing old and cold but his spiritual vitality was Christ Himself. His master passion was “that I may KNOW HIM…”-{Phil 3;8,10}. And whatever his circumstances, they would not master him though extremely difficult at times, his pursuit was knowing Jesus Christ more and more, and Magnifying, enlarging, and exalting Christ in his life, in his “body” whether he lived or he died, his cry was “CHRIST MAGNIFIED…in my body!”
May the year ahead be one of
“Christ magnified”– in your circumstances {Phil 1:12}.
“Christ magnified” in prayer- ( Phil 1:9)
“Christ magnified” in evangelism- (1:13) ;
“Christ magnified” through encouragement!- (1:14) …
“Christ magnified” in your relationships- {Phil 2:3-4}
“Christ magnified” in your thinking-{Phil 2:5}
“Christ magnified” in your goal to know Jesus Christ better-{Phil 3:8,10}
“Christ magnified” whether with little or much (4:10-13) Christ magnified in your body in the circumstances you find yourself in, be they pleasurable or difficult circumstances may your heart and focus be continually fixed – “Christ magnified in my body whether by life or by death.”
And the key? Paul said,” For me to live (is) Christ and to die is gain,”- ( 1:21).
When Christ is our life, pursuit, passion, Himself our goal, not joy, not blessing but Himself then, by His Spirit, working in us and through us, this honoring desire and goal “Christ Magnified…in my body” becomes more and more our motivation.
** Note, Paul did not say “I Be Magnified” but “Christ…”
How easy it is for us to displace Christ in who or what we want “magnified,” anything or anyone other than “Christ be magnified” is idolatrous, and a manifestation of departing from Him as “first love.” But Thank God we can confess and repent and return to Him and pursue His agenda in our body, namely “CHRIST MAGNIFIED…” in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in with the “Body” we have!
While multitudes want to change the shape, size, and look of their “BODY,” when it comes to New year’s pursuits and resolutions many a Christian forgets the purpose of our “body” OUR LIFE, is “Christ Exalted in my BODY…” and this the goal, “…Whether By Life Or Death.”-{Phil 1:20}. While many are taken up with what their body looks like we need to be employing our body as the vehicle, “Christ Magnified,” as the goal.
Do we need a “NEW” NEW GOAL…OR IN NEED TO REVISE our GOAL?
In your New Year’s pursuits ” resolution” where is Christ and the magnifying of Him in your or my goals?
IS OUR GOAL- …“CHRIST MAGNIFIED!”
PRIORITIZE- Look at the motivations for what you prioritize. Is it “Christ Magnified” in some of what you do, none of what you do? What needs to change? Or what areas do you need strengthening to continue living “Christ Magnified” at the foremost of your thinking and choices?
PURSUE- Those things, people, that encourage you to Live “CHRIST MAGNIFIED.” Listen to, and read, with the intent of heading, applying His Word. Meditate often upon it. “Let the Word of Christ dwell within you…”-{Col 3:16}
PRAY – Let’s pause and pray for one another that He would give us His desire and goal for one another and our families and those whom we pray for and whom we meet in our circumstances, “Christ magnified whether by life or by death in my BODY.”
If and when we at times fail? He will be faithful to remind us that “Christ magnified” be the aim in our lives and those whom we encounter. Memorize and meditate upon Phil 1:20, and as you hide it in your heart, “Christ magnified in my body whether by life or by death,” the Holy Spirit can renew your thinking and help you keep perspective in the purpose of your life. Also, read Philippians’ note on how this was worked out in Paul’s life. For example, how did he respond when encountering jealous preachers?-{Phil 1:15-18}.
We can start each day, with the thought and dependence upon the Holy Spirit to help us think and live “Christ Magnified.”
God Bless,
Aidan.
“Christ magnified in my body whether by life or by death .”