Philippians 1:20-26. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Without understanding the gospel, one cannot live a life of mission. Without knowledge of the spiritual world, people cannot accomplish anything of true meaning. Instead of pursuing God’s plans, they are driven by instinct and ambition, becoming trapped and enslaved by them.
Remember: when the Israelites lost hold of the blood covenant, they spent over 400 years in slavery under Egypt. Through Moses, God reminded His people of the long-forgotten blood covenant through the observance of the Passover.
When the Israelites believed in God’s covenant, they were finally set free from the hand of Satan, symbolized by Pharaoh; they were spared from disasters and calamities, symbolized by the ten plagues; and they were saved from the background of hell, symbolized by their bondage in Egypt.
Throughout history, God also used powerful nations like the Philistines, Assyria, Babylon, and Rome to warn His people of the dangers of idolatry and to restore His covenant with them. When they finally realized God’s plan—to send His Son as the Christ to save the world—they were freed from captivity and oppression. Until they embraced their God-ordained mission, they wandered, suffered, and lost their identity as His chosen people.
What is your God-ordained mission in life? Jesus has given each one of us the mission of evangelism and world missions:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20).
God does not want us to forget the mission He has entrusted to us, as the Israelites did. Our one and only task in life is to save lives through the power of the gospel and to proclaim the uniqueness of Christ.
To this end, God will never let us be put to shame but will make us bold for Christ. Whether we live or die, our lives will bring honor to Him. The Holy Spirit will enable us to bear abundant fruit in Christ. Like Paul, we will help others grow and experience the joy of faith.
When we live a life anchored in this mission, God promises to bring everything else to us: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
When all we are and all we have—our families, work, studies, health, hopes, and dreams—are aligned with God’s plan of salvation, we will experience the abundant life Jesus promised:
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
Prayer. Father, I thank You for the mission You have entrusted to me—the restoration of the one true gospel, proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ in this generation and beyond. Fill me with Your strength, that I may faithfully carry out this mission and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.