Suffering Forward
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Philippians 1:12-14
In the ancient world it was generally assumed that if bad things happened to you it was because a god had something against you. You had failed to sacrifice what you should have or maybe you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Paul turns this thinking on its head when he says that he is in chains for Christ and that his imprisonment and suffering has actually served to advance the gospel. It’s not about him, what he’s done wrong or right, it’s about Jesus and more people hearing about Jesus.
How has his imprisonment advanced the gospel? Well, the palace guard and many more have seen Paul’s situation and been affected by it - it’s become clear to them that he’s in chains for Christ. Secondly, brothers and sisters have been heartened by Paul’s example and dare to proclaim the gospel without fear.
How do you see suffering and hardship? Sometimes, we think that our situation is a result of God condemning us in some fashion or another. What have we done wrong? What sin has caused me to deserve this? Instead, Paul causes us to think differently - could my suffering be for the sake of the advance of the gospel?
And, could not your suffering be an opportunity for other brothers and sisters to grow in confidence?
I don’t want to minimise anyones suffering and I don’t think Paul is doing that. We can have no doubt that this man knew the pain of suffering. But in the midst of it all, can we not also see something bigger.
For Today:
Pray: Praise the Father that He is the God who is in control. Give thanks for Jesus Christ whose suffering resulted in the salvation of His people. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others advance the gospel in every situation.
Philippians 1:12-14
In the ancient world it was generally assumed that if bad things happened to you it was because a god had something against you. You had failed to sacrifice what you should have or maybe you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Paul turns this thinking on its head when he says that he is in chains for Christ and that his imprisonment and suffering has actually served to advance the gospel. It’s not about him, what he’s done wrong or right, it’s about Jesus and more people hearing about Jesus.
How has his imprisonment advanced the gospel? Well, the palace guard and many more have seen Paul’s situation and been affected by it - it’s become clear to them that he’s in chains for Christ. Secondly, brothers and sisters have been heartened by Paul’s example and dare to proclaim the gospel without fear.
How do you see suffering and hardship? Sometimes, we think that our situation is a result of God condemning us in some fashion or another. What have we done wrong? What sin has caused me to deserve this? Instead, Paul causes us to think differently - could my suffering be for the sake of the advance of the gospel?
And, could not your suffering be an opportunity for other brothers and sisters to grow in confidence?
I don’t want to minimise anyones suffering and I don’t think Paul is doing that. We can have no doubt that this man knew the pain of suffering. But in the midst of it all, can we not also see something bigger.
For Today:
- Have you ever witnessed someone's suffering advance the gospel?
- Have you gained confidence from someone else's faith?
- Is there someone you need to pray for today?
Pray: Praise the Father that He is the God who is in control. Give thanks for Jesus Christ whose suffering resulted in the salvation of His people. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others advance the gospel in every situation.
Posted in Philippians
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