Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
Philippians 1:12-26
12. I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13. so that it has become known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ; 14. and most of the brethren have been made confident in the Lord because of my imprisonment, and are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear. 15. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel; 17. the former proclaim Christ out of partisanship, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice. 19. Yes, and I shall rejoice. For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20. as it is my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22. If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25. Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26. so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Paul uses every opportunity to preach the good news! He has used his time in prison to convert all the guards and to anyone else who will listen – certainly some of the prisoners, as well. “. 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22. If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25. Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26. so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”
This scripture actually precedes Tuesday’s. Paul is in prison. Prisons in those days didn’t have air conditioning, color tv’s, exercise rooms, or any other amenities! They were probably underground, dark, dirty—filthy, damp and just generally awful. But Paul doesn’t care – he really, truly does not care! He is so grateful to have more people to convert!
He also talks about some who “preach Christ from envy and rivalry,” and again, he says he doesn’t care, as long as Christ is preached. God uses even the evil desires and intentions of others to His own good purpose! Even Paul’s death will not be in vain—in fact I think he kind of feels that if he does die, it will give even more honor to God! Yet he longs to remain on earth, lest he miss one soul, lest one opportunity to offer Christ’s love might pass him by!
I long for faith like Paul’s! I long to not get mad when someone cuts me off in traffic, or when someone is dishonest and deceitful, or when someone is rude and thoughtless, or when I’m running late and can’t get my act together for the rest of the day! I’m going to really make a concerted effort to practice Paul’s joy! I’m going to try to be more aware of the message I’m sending by my life. I’m going to try to remember to take a breath, say a prayer of thanks to God for allowing me to live another day to spread His word, and exude His love and joy and good news!
I hope you’ll spend your day rejoicing in each breath you take, spreading the good news by how you live your life!
Mary
