Chapter 1, Verse 22 “If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.”
Paul makes an argument for staying alive, prison or not. In the flesh is Paul’s way of talking physical body rather than a spiritual body. He considers the benefit of staying alive rather than dying. As we mentioned earlier, Paul is not as protective of his physical life as we might think normal. He sees a reason that God would let him live. If he could continue to preach, in or out of prison it would mean great accomplishments for the gospel. Regardless of the outcome, Paul’s personal life is not being considered. The only thing that matters to Paul is that Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection be shared with the world.
The truth was the decision of life or death was not Paul’s to make. On the surface that decision was in the hands of the Roman government, but deeper yet, the decision was in the act of God. Paul can’t seem to bypass the thought, though, of what he would choose if he were making a choice. Meaning to or not, Paul gives us an important Christian life message. Staying may benefit others but leaving will benefit us. Paul wanted to preach. Paul wanted to be with Jesus. Question? What did God want?
Task for Today: First thing we must consider is if our staying in the flesh will result in fruitful labor in the kingdom. Tough one, right? Will we enjoy being with Jesus? Not tough at all. If we aren’t going to produce a fruitful labor, then why should we stay? What are you living for? Is it a tough choice for you?
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