What’s the Worst That Can Happen?
Has anybody ever asked you, “What’s the worst that can happen?” Sometimes, that simple question can be a powerful way to shake up our perspectives. It’s effective and often helpful because it forces us to face reality instead of our imaginations!
Paul writes to a Philippian church in mild crisis. Paul is imprisoned for the gospel, and it seems like the gospel itself could be bound with him. Paul fears not, for he can still preach in chains (Phil. 1:12-13), but a more dreadful possibility still lurks. What if Paul dies? Can the gospel still be proclaimed? Who will shepherd the churches?
“But,” Paul answers, “what’s the worst that can happen?”
Whether by Life or By Death
Hear the confidence in Paul’s words! “I will rejoice,” “Because I know,” “eager expectation and hope,” “with full courage now as always,” and “convinced of this.” This is a man who’s assured of his perspective and his future. But, notice that it isn’t a blind fool’s confidence. Paul isn’t confident because he’s arrogant, nor even because he has a special revelation of the future. No, Paul is confident Christ will be honored “whether by life or by death.” (Phil. 1:20) There aren’t any options left!
What’s the worst that can happen? They kill Paul? Then what?
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… to depart and be with Christ [is] far better!” He’s not worried about it! If Paul dies, then he’s with Jesus! If Paul lives, “that means fruitful labor for me.” (Phil. 1:21)
Persecution’s Folly
You know, Paul isn’t the forefather of facing death undaunted. Remember Stephen in Acts 6–7? “Full of grace and power” was working miracles, signs, and preaching with “wisdom and the Spirit.” Sound like how Paul preached? The Jews dragged Stephen out and stoned him to death. I wish I could tell you that the Jews felt convicted by their violence, and the gospel spread because of it, but I can’t. God’s wisdom had something better:
“And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” (Acts 8:1–4, ESV)
Who better to stare down persecution and laugh joyfully than a former persecutor? The same Saul that approved of Stephen’s stoning and dragged Christians to jail now sits in a jail cell and asks the Philippians “What’s the worst that can happen?”
Paul has experienced firsthand that persecution is pointless. God and His gospel will have the victory. That’s the great irony of the whole thing! Whenever Christians are persecuted, they walk in the footsteps of Jesus. He has conquered death and the grave!
What’s the worst that can happen?
Only…
Here’s Paul’s advice. Let’s imagine that the Philippians don’t know what to do. Should they send more money? Should they start a campaign to free Paul? Should they panic? What if they stormed the gates? “No, no, no,” Paul says, “if I live, I live for Christ. If I die, I go to be with Christ.” What an example, huh? Paul knows it. He tells the Philippians to do exactly the same thing: live for Christ.
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:27)
No matter what happens, from best-case to worst-case, live as though the gospel is true. That’s all Paul is doing, and it’s all the New Testament asks of you. Sincerely! Consider a few things the New Testament commands you to do, and realize that they just make sense because of the good news that Jesus died to forgive sinners and give them everlasting life in God’s family.
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25, ESV)
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,” (1 Peter 4:1, ESV)
“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:10–11, ESV)
Conclusion
So, no matter what, go live like the gospel is true. “In plenty and in hunger, in abundance and in need,” (Phil. 4:12) let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What’s the worst that can happen?
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” (Philippians 1:27–30, ESV)