Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:3-8, NIV)
This year in June we had the tremendous Jubilee Celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II – the first British Monarch to celebrate 70 years of service! It was remarkable that almost all commentators made mention of her strong faith in Christ and the godliness of her commitment.
On her 21st birthday (the age of adulthood in those days), as heir to the throne, she made a profound commitment before God and the Commonwealth of Nations, saying “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me… God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.”
Our coronation service is unique in the world, dating back one thousand years. The most spiritual moment is when the monarch’s magnificent coronation robes are removed to reveal a simple white garment and the monarch is anointed with oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and Divine Authority. I don’t think there is any other nation that has such strong moment of dedication and submission to God; it was a most solemn moment for the young Queen – and I thank God for our godly Queen!
Often in her annual Christmas broadcast to the Commonwealth, she will speak a strong Christian message. A few years ago she ended her address saying that God gave Himself to us in humble service, what can we give in return? Quoting a simple carol, “If I were a shepherd, I would give Him a lamb… Yet what can I give Him, poor as I am?” – she spoke directly to her television audience: “Give Him your heart!” God bless her! I pray that at 96, she will still have many more years!
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (Philippians 1:27, NIV)
From here, I want to highlight some points from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, 1:20, where, being in prison and facing a death sentence, he says, in whatever circumstance he might find himself, “My earnest expectation and hope is that I shall in nothing be ashamed, but with all boldness, I shall magnify Christ in my body, whether by life or by death.” I echo that very strongly. When I was in prison in 1972-3, I was praying, seeking that God would work a miracle through my release so great, He would be glorified by the very evidence. Prime Minister Harold Wilson came to rescue me; it was headline news and brought tremendous Glory to God because it opened doors to the Gospel all over the world – people wanting to know my phenomenal testimony.
Paul goes on in v21ff, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” From the moment of his conversion, Paul’s life was a testimony and a witness to the Glory of God in Christ Jesus. But being in prison, he is torn between two things, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, and the need to stay to support the Christian congregations in their faith… So many Christians see death negatively. Death is not an end for the Christian, it is the beginning, an entrance into a new life in the Kingdom! That is the message of Christ and the whole purpose of Resurrection. So Paul can say, to live is Christ, but to die is gain. It’s better!
One of the things so effective in my ministry today is my age and the fact that I have lived through so much. I was born before World War II, I lived through the war, I remember King George VI and his wartime calls to the nation to prayer. I remember our Queen as a young girl, learning to drive and repair vehicles for the military. Can you imagine a future Queen learning car mechanics?! My home in London was bombed and badly damaged, but my family, my father, were spared… Now here I am, aged 90, 72 years in full-time ministry, stronger and more on fire now than I was then! I want my life, my strength, my health – my whole life – to be a witness to Christ, to the Glory of God. And I haven’t finished yet.
If there is one thing God desires, one thing I desire in the years that I have left, it’s to see much more unity in the Church. Paul was concerned about the unity of the Philippians, “Let your conduct conform to the Gospel of Christ… stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” Phil 1:27. It is so sad that the Church is so divided and splintered. Yes, we have doctrinal differences, yes, there are errors in doctrine and in practice. But at least, Paul says in Phil 1:15-18, if Christ is preached, from whatever motive, it lifts Christ up before the people.
I’m always so moved by the last prayer of Jesus for His followers before He was to suffer and die on the cross, “O Father, may they be ONE, as we are ONE.”
In reality, our human lives are not free of conflict. I’ve had many difficulties over the years. I’ve been held at gunpoint and faced several assassination attempts pre- and post-communism! But I’ve never been frightened or terrified by it, because I know that they cannot succeed. One man with God is always in a majority. My life is in God’s Hands. We’re not weak, we’re not defeated. If God is with us, we are always on the victory side. Paul commands in Phil 1:28, “In nothing be terrified by your adversaries!”
I have had to learn this over the years. However extreme the circumstances, I have such a sense of comfort, consolation, joy and peace in Christ. My confidence, my trust is in Him. I’ve been one year in a communist prison, faced cancer twice, had my business stolen from me. But never have I suffered fear! I believe my every extremity was allowed in order to fulfil a greater purpose.
Paul writes about this in Phil 1:28 to 2:16 – in everything, good or bad, he saw something that would lead to the greater Glory of God. So in the strife, in the suffering, in the conflict, Paul urges us to be likeminded, to have the same love, be of one accord, one mind – to do nothing out of strife or vainglory, to esteem others – AND LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU THAT WAS IN CHRIST JESUS WHO HUMBLED HIMSELF – and work out your salvation with fear and trembling, that you may shine as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of Life that I, Paul, may rejoice in you in the Day of Christ!