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The true aim of the Christian life is for us to decrease, and for Christ to increase. John the Baptist stated plainly, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) In Philippians chapter 1, Paul is writing from prison (Philippians 1:12-14; 4:22). He expresses this desire for His life, that Jesus Christ would be magnified. The Bible says, beginning in the 18th verse of the first chapter,

“What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

 For the Christian, it is always a win-win situation. Because of our salvation, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (vs. 21). But Paul said the aim for Him was that Christ should be magnified. Now when we think of magnification, we think of taking something small and making it large. The word used here does not suggest that the Lord is insignificant, but rather that we aim to make Jesus Christ large in the eyes of others—whether in life or in death.

The truth is that we should always have this aim in mind. The question we must ask is: Am I enlarging Christ in the eyes of others? Or am I diminishing Christ in the eyes of others?

When we finish our course, shall Christ be magnified? My desire would be that Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death!