I could possibly surmise that one of the Apostle Paul’s favorite churches was the church in Philippi. Where much of his letters, especially to the Corinthians, were guidance and reprimands, this letter is an encouragement. Paul takes a moment from the flow of encouraging the church in chapter two to insert his own life’s mission recorded in a single verse. Verse seventeen says, “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, sent a singular-word telegram to all of his field offices: others. The heart of God and ought to be the heart of Christians is others, more specifically service toward others in love. A verse in one of Keith Green’s songs I was listening to earlier today (Oh Lord You’re Beautiful) said, “I want to take Your Word and shine it all around. But first help me to just, live it Lord. And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown. For my reward is giving glory to You.”
If we go with the Law of First Mention, the Bible takes us to Genesis 35:14 that says, “So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with Him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it.” (Drink offerings represent blood sacrifice, specifically the death of Christ on the cross.) The immediate offering that came to mind when these ponderings first came to me was when David lamented how he would really enjoy a cup of the cool water from the gate of Bethlehem (event is found in 2 Samuel 23:15-17). These men risked their lives to honor their king’s request.
So what is our life? Again Keith Green states in the opening lines of my favorite song, “Make my life a prayer to You.” Our lives are not ours. Our lives were meant to reflect or shine the glory of God (2 Corinthians 3:18 and 4:4). For Paul to declare that his life was a drink offering was in reference to the giving of Oneself: Christ. For the Genesis account, it began with God’s provision and promise. Within John 3:16 we see, “…He gave…”
This then brings to mind the many missionary martyrs for Christ—Eric Liddell and Robert Jermaine Thomas to name two immediate ones—who surrendered secure jobs, ministries, etc. to reach those who never heard of Jesus or seen His Bible. These men—these two, Paul, and many others—surrendered their lives. They never intended to die on foreign soil. They did not seek death like a daredevil. But these men simply poured out their lives. These men did not do it for earthly fame or to seek a crown as Keith Green sang about his life. They simply wanted to give glory to God.
What of our lives? Do our lives reflect or reveal the glory of God? Do our words and actions bring others closer to Him? Do we desire to establish an earthly kingdom—family, home, money, security—or are we willing to—like William Carey, the father of modern missions—step out into the unknown even if it may cost our life and the life of our family? Will we allow our lives to be a sacrifice—like Jim Elliot (and his comrades)—so that an entire village or people will live for Christ and go to Heaven? Can God pour out our lives?