Where Do You Live?
	A gospel preacher by the name of Glenn Posey used to say, “You either live in Philippians 1:21 or Philippians 2:21.” That’s quite an interesting observation. In Philippians 1:21 Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Then in 2:21 he wrote, “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.”
	That’s a tremendous contrast! For Paul, life was all about Christ. He knew what confessing Christ as LORD meant – that he would be in submission to the will of Christ in each and every aspect of his life. As he himself wrote in Colossians 3:17, “whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” If he was eating, he gave God thanks. If he rested, it was so he could serve later. If he spoke, you know that Jesus, the Scriptures, and the church would be his primary topics of conversation. Even if he died, it would be a victory for him. Why? Because he would go to be with Jesus.
	By contrast, the people of whom Paul wrote in Philippians 2:21 sought their own things, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. That is to say, their priorities were focused on self rather than on Christ. The things which are of Christ, such as the church, the Bible, worship, and serving others in the name of Christ, simply were not all that important to these folks – spiritual matters may not even have registered on their scale. Years later, Paul wrote of a Christian friend named Demas who, Paul said “has forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2Tim. 4:10). Paul didn’t say this man had become a murderer of an adulterer or some other outrageous thing – he simply had forsaken Paul, who was in a dungeon awaiting execution. Demas could have served and encouraged the apostle. Instead, he left to take care of his own personal agenda which pertained to “this present world,” not to the world yet to come. His focus was on the here-and-now, not on eternity.
	At any time, but perhaps more so at this time of year, it’s good for us to ask ourselves: “Do I live in Philippians 1:21, or 2:21? Is my focus on Christ and the things of Christ in each and every aspect of my life? Or am I seeking my own things? Do I really love the Lord, or am I in love with this present world? I cannot read your mind – but you and the Lord both know the answer.