Whether By Life

“…as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Philippians 1:20 ESV

What does ‘Whether By Life’ mean?
What does it mean to have Christ honoured in our bodies? Notice Paul didn’t say in our ‘spirit’ or ‘soul’ but body!
For me, this quashes the false doctrine that God ONLY looks at the heart and not how we live. What we do with our bodies (hands, feet, brain, nose, eyes, etc) is worship – Romans 12:1-2. So why would it not be paramount to God!?

‘Whether By Life’ living is one that makes much of Christ above all else. It’s the Christian life that honours Christ above the prospect of marriage, a new car, new house, beautiful spouse, peaceful home and progressive career. It’s the life that understands and accepts that these beautiful gifts are only in themselves gifts and means, not an end.
A ‘Whether By Life’ Christian makes Christ look awesome everywhere and does so with grace and courage. Yes courage; it takes courage to live a ‘Whether By Life’ life.

Is this God-centred life our eager expectation and hope? Where are you today?
I know where I am; I woke up this morning pleading with God and yearning to be drawn closer to a ‘Whether By Life’ life. On God’s part, He has given the grace. On our part, we must step out of our self-centred lives and pursue God with courage and faith in our hearts and obedience in our hands.

By God, we will.