Well, again I've been falling behind on my Bible-blogging, although I suppose I may have had a small excuse for this week's absence. Anyway, last week on Radio CIA, I spoke about Philippians 1:12-26, and here's the substance of what I said...
I now need to turn my mind to finishing and polishing the next session, and I hope to have that up by tomorrow afternoon.
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
Paul opens this section by pointing out the silver lining in his circumstances. Even though he is in prison, held away from many of his friends and unable to travel and spread the Gospel, he has found that he can preach Christ even here. Paul sees that somehow, some way, God has provided an opening so that Paul may proclaim the wonderful grace of salvation!
Isn't it amazing that, even in this situation, Paul wasn't interested in what was happening to him except as it gave him the opportunity to serve his Savior? His attitude is positive and joyful because he KNOWS he has been saved by God, and he KNOWS the God he serves. Paul is supremely confident in God's ability to bring all His plans to fruition, so all Paul worries about is how he can arrange his life so that he is available for God to use in any way and at all times.
13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
In His providence, God has been working through Paul in such a way that his innocence is obvious, even though he is imprisoned. Matthew Henry, who wrote a prominent commentary of the Bible in the early 1700s, says
It alarmed those who were without (v. 13): "My bonds in Christ, or for Christ, are manifest in all the palace and in all other places. The emperor, the courtiers, the magistrates, are convinced that I do not suffer as an evil-doer, but as an honest man, with a good conscience. They know that I suffer for Christ, and not for any wickedness.’’
John MacArthur, of Grace to You Ministries, agrees and says that
People around him recognized that Paul was no criminal, but had become a prisoner because of preaching Jesus Christ and the gospel.
Which rather begs the question – first, how exactly was Paul conducting himself that made it so obvious that he was innocent? There must have been something about him which attracted people's focused attention, because I'm sure the guards saw many prisoners every day – why would they notice Paul? Secondly, having gained their attention, how was it that Paul was able to bring up the Gospel to these professional – and cynical, I would assume, since they were in the palace and familiar with the political intrigues and maneuverings of the court – soldiers?
I think the answer to both questions was the same: Paul's life was grounded and rooted in God's mercy towards him, his passion was to follow his Savior as closely as possible in every aspect of his life. Such dedication and devotion to God cannot help but make a profound difference in a person's character – something so different and so evident that I dare say it was almost impossible for those soldiers and servants who met him NOT to ask - “Hey, what's with you?! How can you be so at peace and joyful?"
Paul was so sold out for Christ that everyone noticed and wondered at it. How about us? I know that I have a very long way to go in my Christian walk. I know that I must learn to love God more each day, so that I can place Him first in all things. I need to love Him more so that doing His will is the joy of my life. I need to love Him more so that I have complete confidence in the God who brings all His good will to pass.
Now, take a look at how Paul's imprisonment, his conduct and his faith combine to provide an encouraging witness for other believers to imitate:
14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
“Hey, look! Paul's in prison and he can still witness to Christ! Look! So many people are asking about his faith, and God is bringing so many to know Him – even in the palace! God is really taking care of Paul, so He must be able to take care of me – after all, I'm not in prison like Paul.”
Even in the middle of trials, God will do what He's planned in our lives. When we are in the middle of life's turmoil, we forget that God knows the end from the beginning, and that none of our earthly woes surprises Him. When you look at Paul, you see God's hand from the very beginning; from his rabbinical training, to his conversion, to his missionary journeys, to his call to Philippi, and his eventual captivity in Rome. God knew where He wanted Paul to be, and in His sovereign power, He made things work out so that Paul was in specific places at the time God wanted.
Thus, even in prison, God had a plan – and as I've said before, Paul's confidence in God and his joy when waiting in the Philippian jail cell is repeated here in Rome. God isn't going to send an earthquake this time so Paul may escape – no, He's going to let Paul remain in jail for a while to provide a witness both to the palace AND to the local church. The strong, steady and devoted service that Paul offered to God – and the way God blessed it – was an inspiration and encouragement to the church; when they saw how bold Paul was in preaching the Gospel while imprisoned, that made them even more confident to “speak the word without fear” in their own lives. Again, a holy life, humbly loving and obeying God is a powerful light to use against the darkness of sin.
Now Paul tells of how it's not all sweetness and light, but note that he doesn't focus on the insult to himself or his ministry:
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Paul isn't concerned with the motivations others have for preaching the Gospel; he just wants to make sure that the Gospel is preached! Yes, some are preaching in hopes that they'll “show him up;” others, no doubt, want to usurp Paul's prestige; still others simply want to do what they can to hurt Paul. Fortunately there are yet others who preach out of love and concern that Paul's mission of evangelizing the world continue and prosper.
“So what?” Paul asks. So long as the Gospel is preached in truth, Paul doesn't give a hang about why it's being done. The more people who hear the Word of God, the better it is for God's kingdom! Paul puts himself aside and focuses on the important thing: “making disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that [Christ has] commanded.”
I do suspect, however, that if Paul heard of someone preaching the Gospel falsely – that is, with incorrect doctrine – he would certainly have corrected the errors forcefully. This is a reminder to me that I need to be very careful and make sure that when I object to someone's preaching, or to a particular church, I don't object due to mere differences of style. In the interests of Christian unity, I should reserve any criticisms I have to critical doctrines which are non-negotiable (the sinfulness of man, the deity of Christ, His perfect life, His resurrection, et cetera), while allowing Christian liberty in areas of doctrine which may not be quite as essential to salvation.
Now Paul turns to what he expects to happen to him – and yet again, his main emphasis and attention is on how it will serve Christ and His kingdom:
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
Paul is certain that he will be delivered out of this, due to the prayers of the Philippians and God's plan, but either way, he wants to glorify Christ in all things, whether he lives or dies. Paul is keeping God in His proper place: first in all things. Although Paul is certain Christ will deliver him, but more than that, he wants to do nothing which will bring shame to the name of his Savior.
And now we come to that famous statement of faith:
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Paul knows, deep in his bones, with unshakable conviction that whatever happens to him will turn out for good (never forget, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul also wrote Romans 8:28!). In fact, both options are so good that – although he prefers one – he finds it difficult to decide between the two:
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
“To live is Christ” - to proclaim His word and His salvation to as many people as possible, to teach and instruct Christians in doctrine and behavior, and to encourage and rejoice with them in their triumphs for the Kingdom of God. Indeed, this is a very worthy and fulfilling call and mission; what Christian today doesn't wish for God to accomplish great things through them?
Yet, “to depart and be with Christ” is far better! To finally be removed from all possibility of sin, to see God and worship Him at His glorious throne, and to hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord!”
You know what I'm really looking forward to about Heaven? I'm looking forward to finally getting it right! How I long to be released from the distractions, the self-involvement, and the influence of sin in my life – I long to stand in God's presence and be able to give Him everything without reservation or worrying what others will think. I don't need to be front and center in Heaven (I wouldn't be, anyway – that's reserved for God, of course!), just tucked away in the crowd. But to finally be able to sing beautifully, to worship wholeheartedly, to serve without hesitation, to go wherever He tells me and do whatever He says without needing to wrestle with my sinful preferences.
However, Paul knows that God has more for him to do here on earth. Although he longs to go to Heaven and be at rest with Christ, he knows he still has a job to do, helping spread the Gospel. With this knowledge and with what the Spirit has already whispered in his heart (v. 19), Paul puts them together and says:
25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Not only does he realize there's more work to be done by him, Paul also realizes that God is going to use his coming release to encourage the Philippians. They have partnered with him, they've prayed for him, they've done what they could to support him, and God is going to prove out their faith by freeing Paul.
Thus, Paul is content to remain in chains here on earth. He has committed himself to doing God's will right where he is until God chooses the right time to bring Paul home. I think that many Christians today - including me - are in the "remain and wait" mode, without following through on being the hands and feet of God while He keeps us here on earth. We need to follow through and DO the work God has prepared for us, so that when Christ returns, He will find us diligently and humbly promoting His kingdom through our active faith.
That's all for this section - in the next part of my meditations, I'm planning on backing up to verse 21, and then continuing on through verse 30 since I believe it will help with the context of the last three verses in chapter one... So, now I'm going to get to finishing THAT post, so I can publish it tomorrow in preparation for next week's Sacred Hideaway on Radio CIA.
Oh... Hm... Or maybe not - perhaps I'll concentrate on the Cross and Resurrection of Christ, since next weekend is Good Friday and Easter... Hm...
