Philippians 1:19-20 Not Ashamed

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. [Philippians 1:19-20 NKJV]

Paul is referring to deliverance from his imprisonment in Rome, and his confidence that he will be set free. This isn't a baseless hope, as in, "I hope i'm set free." Rather, it is based on the knowledge that he is being prayed for, and that the Holy Spirit will supply the means of his deliverance.

In fact, Paul was released shortly after writing this letter, and was able to travel and preach the gospel for another 5 or 6 years before being imprisoned in Rome again. In this first imprisonment, he knew that he would be released and expressed that confidence. In his second imprisonment, he knew that he would soon be martyred, and said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." [2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV]

Through it all, Paul's earnest expectation was that nothing he did, whether in life or in the manner of his death, would bring shame to himself or the Lord Jesus Christ.

Like Paul, we should live our lives with the expectation and hope that we will not be ashamed.

I think it is important to note his wording. He did not say, "According to my determination that in nothing I shall be ashamed." He said, "

It is not by the strength of our will or determination that we live for Christ, but by the power of His Spirit. As he says, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." [Philippians 2:13 NKJV]

Living without shame does not mean that you never make a mistake. In speaking of perfection, Paul admitted that he had not arrived; "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV]

It means drawing close to God; walking in the Spirit. You choose the Spirit of God rather than the flesh. When you do, the Spirit of God lives through you, and the world sees His righteousness in your life. In this way, He is magnified in your body; not by your effort, but by His grace.

Lord, I pray for grace to live in the Spirit, and to walk with You. I pray that, by Your grace, my life will bring glory to You, and that I will not bring shame to Your name. Please magnify Yourself in me.