"...and that most of the brethren, trusting in The Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear...What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice." Philippians 1:14, 18
PHILIPPIANS 1:12-20
When Paul wrote to the Philippians, life was rough! He was in prison!!! No comfortable, easy life for Paul. But that didn't discourage him or even cause him to question God. He didn't face trials and adversity as a punishment or unfair treatment by God, but he saw his situation as an opportunity for making God known - verse 13 says that the entire group of guards (and everyone else) knew about Christ because of his imprisonment. This awful situation wasn't so awful because Christ was made known to people who wouldn't have heard about him otherwise!
As if making Christ known to the guards and others wasn't enough, Paul's imprisonment and his eagerness to share the gospel in his predicament encouraged other Christians to also share the gospel! Sure, some did it with impure motives, but Christ was still made known! Your response to adversity can have the same effect - do you hang your head and mope, "woe is me," or do you use it as an opportunity to praise God and let your praises rise to the ears of others? Because I'm pretty sure that's what Paul was doing during his imprisonment - praising God and praying (read Acts 16:22-34 about his first trip to Philippi when he was thrown into prison).
Paul finishes this section stating that he will rejoice that the gospel is being made known, no matter how it happens. Paul knows that the gospel spreading means him enduring trials and adversity is for his good - their is no shame in those difficulties because of their purpose! And that purpose? That "Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death" (v 20b). Paul's purpose in life is always the same, no matter what is going on. And it is the same purpose and calling that you and I all share in Christ - that He is exalted or glorified in every aspect and situation of our life, good or bad, whether by life or by death.
Father, Thank You for Christ, for His sacrifice to leave Your side and walk this earth. Thank You for His perfection, death and resurrection that defeated satan and the effects of sin. Thank You for the strength that He gives me to endure and make Him known in every situation. Please help me face trials and adversity with praise of You, because You never change and Your works through Christ can never be changed. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
PHILIPPIANS 1:12-20
When Paul wrote to the Philippians, life was rough! He was in prison!!! No comfortable, easy life for Paul. But that didn't discourage him or even cause him to question God. He didn't face trials and adversity as a punishment or unfair treatment by God, but he saw his situation as an opportunity for making God known - verse 13 says that the entire group of guards (and everyone else) knew about Christ because of his imprisonment. This awful situation wasn't so awful because Christ was made known to people who wouldn't have heard about him otherwise!
As if making Christ known to the guards and others wasn't enough, Paul's imprisonment and his eagerness to share the gospel in his predicament encouraged other Christians to also share the gospel! Sure, some did it with impure motives, but Christ was still made known! Your response to adversity can have the same effect - do you hang your head and mope, "woe is me," or do you use it as an opportunity to praise God and let your praises rise to the ears of others? Because I'm pretty sure that's what Paul was doing during his imprisonment - praising God and praying (read Acts 16:22-34 about his first trip to Philippi when he was thrown into prison).
Paul finishes this section stating that he will rejoice that the gospel is being made known, no matter how it happens. Paul knows that the gospel spreading means him enduring trials and adversity is for his good - their is no shame in those difficulties because of their purpose! And that purpose? That "Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death" (v 20b). Paul's purpose in life is always the same, no matter what is going on. And it is the same purpose and calling that you and I all share in Christ - that He is exalted or glorified in every aspect and situation of our life, good or bad, whether by life or by death.
Father, Thank You for Christ, for His sacrifice to leave Your side and walk this earth. Thank You for His perfection, death and resurrection that defeated satan and the effects of sin. Thank You for the strength that He gives me to endure and make Him known in every situation. Please help me face trials and adversity with praise of You, because You never change and Your works through Christ can never be changed. In Jesus' Name, Amen.