Beyond this World’s View

by Robert Mohns

“I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account” (Philippians 1:23-24).

For quite some time now, Paul’s opening chapter to his letter to the Philippians, and in particular these verses, have been on my mind each morning. I find these quite personal words written by St. Paul and authored by God to be grounding. While the world around is talking about decisions on death and life, this Word of God is timely. It speaks of a different reality.

Since Adam and Eve’s fall into sin and the rejection of God and His Word, all creation has been subjected to frustration and futility. In our time, the rejection of God and His Word has led humanity to look to the self as God and the source of fulfillment, meaning, and authenticity. Self-actualization has become the doctrine, which, at all costs, must be adhered to on pain of death. 

Well, that’s not entirely true; in our current state of self-awareness, even death can be “self-actualized.” To self-actualize one’s death—to have an “authentic death,” as it is sometimes called—is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of this world’s doctrine of salvation. It’s a doctrine that leads to futility and frustration and death—eternal death. 

The corner of the world in which I live seems to have gone after this type of self-actualization. Lately, it has impacted my personal life on an almost daily basis. Maybe you too have felt its bitter sting and life-sucking effects.

I find it refreshing therefore to wake up each morning alive in Christ through that gracious baptismal flooding. Yes, I am in this world, but I am no longer of it. Daily these very personal words of St. Paul place me on the solid foundation of God’s Word.

What Paul says is important is “to remain in the flesh… on your account.” Confident that God has him, Paul’s sole attention is to serve God’s people. This, then, is the Christian’s worldview. Not only is our destiny transformed, to be alive in Christ, but so is our entire being. The heart of Christ now beats in you and me.

St. Paul describes the Christian struggle in Philippians 1:23-24: “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” His words here are at odds with our times. What do they have to do with the doctrine of this world, which strives for a self-actualized life and authentic death?

I know it is hard to think outside the box. Our culture’s worldview has been taught and practiced among generations of people. But there is something greater than what this world’s view has to offer—something, in fact, we are all longing for.

Paul could speak as he did because of God’s promised deliverance and Christ’s fulfillment. The Christian’s life finds its fulfillment not in “self-actualization,” but rather in Christ and His resurrection, which is ours also by grace through faith worked by the Holy Spirit. Scripture is replete with the promises of God pointing us to that better thing: to be with Christ.

Paul also keeps our feet tied to our life in this world, but he does not speak of himself. Instead, he is laser-focused on the things that contribute to the salvation of God’s people. What Paul says is important is “to remain in the flesh… on your account.” Confident that God has him, Paul’s sole attention is to serve God’s people. This, then, is the Christian’s worldview. Not only is our destiny transformed, to be alive in Christ, but so is our entire being. The heart of Christ now beats in you and me. 

Consider Christ, who promised paradise to the repentant thief and who bestowed forgiveness to all people in His high priestly prayer. Consider that, while His cross was slammed into the ground and His body hammered with nails, He prayed: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). It was necessary that He die for us in order to fulfill all righteousness. 

Paul follows up these verses with the raison d’etre of Christian life: “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again” (Philippians 1:25-26).The power of these words is sadly sometimes overlooked. 

All of the world’s chatter about life and death and “self-actualization” are here silenced and Satan’s deception is overcome with these words of God for His people. Rather than being consumed with living in self-fulfillment or dying an authentic death, the Christian’s focus is doing what is necessary for the sake and saving of others.

In the midst of the chatter of this world, I find myself ever more grateful that God has spoken this Word to me and to His people. As Paul wrote, I pray that, “convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith.” God grant us grace to focus and do what is necessary.

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Rev. Robert Mohns is Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s West Regional Pastor.

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