September 1, 2004, Vol.4,
No.17.
Two new articles every two weeks.
Bible Question? E-mail
us.
THIS ISSUE: "Rejoice
in the Lord (Part 2)" (see
below)
and "Part 1"
"Rejoice
in the Lord"
Devotional Study of Philippians
- part 2
Chains - Critics - Crisis
by Keith Sharp
A teenage girl day dreams, "If only I were beautiful...."
A teenage boy imagines, "If only I were a star on the ball
team...." A young woman contemplates, "If only I were
married...." A young man muses, "If only I had a good
job...." A house wife dreams, "If only we had a nice
house...." A husband muses, "If only we had the money
for college for the kids...." Happiness is always an "If
only." It's always just out of reach.
Jesus never promised a life without problems. He promised:
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good
cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
The apostle Paul had learned one of life's truly great secrets
- how to have peace and joy regardless of life's circumstances.
He observed, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to
be content...." (Philippians 4:11) In Philippians chapter
one he teaches us how to have peace and joy in the valleys as
well as on the peaks of our journey here. How can we have peace
and joy regardless of life's circumstances?
The apostle was not writing from a comfortable, air conditioned
office separated from problems others face. He wrote the book
of Philippians while in circumstances most of us would find unbearable.
Chains
Paul was in chains (Philippians 1:12-14). The very first acquaintance
the beloved apostle and the brethren he so dearly loved had with
each other was when Paul was thrown into prison in Philippi (Acts
16:22-24). What an impression Paul and Silas made on their jailer
by their joyful acceptance of severe persecution (verses 25-30).
It led to the jailer's salvation (verses 31-34). Even as he wrote
Philippians Paul was a prisoner in Rome, chained at all times
to a Roman soldier from Caesar's palace (Acts 28:16,30-31; Philippians
1:13; 4:22). He was imprisoned simply for preaching the gospel
of Christ (Philippians 1:13).
How awful! How Paul must have pitied himself! Wrong! His captors
became the captives. Paul wasn't just chained to them; they were
chained to him. They had to listen to him teach them about Christ.
The gospel was spread throughout the palace guard and even Caesar's
household! (Philippians 1:12-13; 4:22) Brethren were emboldened
by Paul's courageous example to more boldly proclaim the gospel
themselves (Philippians 1:14).
Paul turned a terrible situation into good. How? He willingly
sacrificed himself for Christ and the gospel.
Critics
But the situation gets worse. This selfless servant of Christ
was being criticized by some of his brethren in Christ. They
thought by preaching the gospel to increase his danger (Philippians
1:15-16).
Now this really did bring Paul grief, right? After all, it
really hurts when your own brethren don't appreciate your sacrifices
and unjustly malign you. Wrong again. Paul simply rejoiced that,
regardless of their motives, brethren were preaching Christ (Philippians
1:17-18). Again, the beloved apostle turned bad circumstances
into good. How? Paul willingly sacrificed himself for Christ
and the gospel.
Crisis
But Paul faced a real crisis that would surely bring him to
grief. He must be judged by Caesar, and this trial might well
end in a violent death for Christ (Philippians 1:19-26).
But even when faced with what to most would seem the worst
of all possible situations, a violent, painful, unjust death,
Paul found cause for joy. He could "depart and be with Christ,
which is far better." (Philippians 1:23) Only his desire
to bear fruit for Christ here caused him to desire to remain
(Philippians 1:19-26). Why? Paul willingly sacrificed himself
for Christ and the gospel.
Conclusion
As we sit back in our comfortable, climate controlled living
rooms and read of the sacrifices of some brother and his family
to spread the gospel in some wretched, backward hole far across
the globe, do we say to ourselves, "Well that's good, but
I just couldn't do that." Are we thus robbing ourselves
of true peace and joy that comes from self-sacrificial service?
Do we willingly sacrifice ourselves for Christ and the gospel?
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