Fin Sheridan
“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:18-21
Paul says here that he “eagerly expects and hopes”. Expectation isn’t assuming something is going to happen nor is it arrogant presumption. It is about hope. It’s about eagerness, about excitement.
Imagine a parent and child having dinner. If the parent promises the child that they will give them a chocolate if they eat all their dinner, the excitement and hope is noticeable. They might not have even seen the chocolate yet but the fact that it is to come makes them sit a different way; their face changes, their eyes scan the room, looking for the promised treat. I think that’s what Paul means by “eager expectation”. So, what does your expectation look like?
It is presumptuous expectation, as if God owes you a favour? Is it assuming expectation, as if He exists to serve you? Or is it eager expectation; as a child expects good things from their parent?