As Christians, we must have a single-minded purpose to exalt our Lord, regardless of the circumstances that might face. And Paul sets out to help us set our minds not on the temporary and unimportant things of this life but the eternal.

Most people spend their lives pursuing their own goals and ambitions, in hopes of finding self-gratification and the praise and accolades of the world. Unfortunately, they’ve used their time, energy, and resources for things that don’t have eternal value. But for us as Christians, we must commit our lives to the exaltation of Jesus Christ.

Every believer should have an insatiable desire to be face-to-face with Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, most Christians are often too concerned about the things of this life and are distracted from fully embracing Paul’s words in Philippians 1—that it is much better to depart this life and to be with Christ.

The Bible calls every Christian to live in such a way to exalt Jesus Christ. In Philippians 1, the apostle Paul argues that when it comes time for every Christian to face death, that our testimony needs to be that death is better than living because death will allow you to be with Christ. And if you die with that perspective, you will exalt Christ—even in death.

For us, as believers, the exaltation of Christ should be the purpose and goal of our lives. But to live this way isn’t just something we experience, although that is partly true. To live for Christ is to engage in the life of the church and to minister on His behalf.

For the Christian, we are to develop a Biblical perspective about life and death, because that is the only perspective that matters. But, like the apostle Paul, our lives and future deaths must be focused on the exaltation and honor of Christ.

According to the apostle Paul in Philippians 1, you cannot grow as a Christian without growing in your knowledge of the truth of God’s Word. At the same time, growing in knowledge is not the same thing as spiritual growth; knowledge does not equal spiritual maturity.

Is there a kind of boasting that brings glory and honor to Christ. According to Philippians 1, the apostle Paul wants all Christians to glory or boast in Christ. This simply means that our confidence, our trust, and our reliance in this life is solely on Christ.