Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord – part 2

Author : Keith Sharp
Devotional study of Philippians

Chains – Critics – Crisis

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.

ChainsPaul 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.

CriticsBut 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.

CrisisBut 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.

ConclusionAs 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?