Only in You

Scripture:

 

Philippians 1:14  “And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.”

 

Observation:

 

O, What a conundrum!  Paul is in chains – imprisoned for preaching the gospel!  To today’s believer in our western world, that would tend to shut us all up and send us underground – If we continued in the faith at all!!  But not for the believers in Rome – it has the opposite affect and gives them boldness to speak the message without fear !!  Why would it have that effect? Is it that they see Paul’s way of dealing with imprisonment and figure that it’s not that bad?  Perhaps it’s not the imprisonment - and threat of death – that’s not that bad, but the attitude Paul displays in the midst of this difficulty that inspires them to use their freedom while they can!  Paul writes with joy.  He writes to encourage. He recognizes the difficulties – he doesn’t sweep them under the carpet and make it all sound like a bed of roses – but Paul’s key here is that he rejoices in the midst.  It doesn’t matter that some preach Christ from selfish motives – Christ is preached.  It doesn’t matter that he’s in chains – he rejoices in the Philippian Church and knows that the Good News is continuing to be spread through them.  He knows he faces possible execution – but he even rejoices in that possibility as it will mean being permanently with His Lord!  There is absolutely no hint in Paul’s epistle of ‘poor me’.  He sees suffering for Christ as a privilege, as much as trusting in Him is!!!  Any wonder the Roman Christians were emboldened to share the gospel. 

 

Application:

 

I am blown away by Paul’s example, as I’m sure the Roman Christians were!!! If I were in Paul’s shoes, would I respond as he did?  Would my hallmark be ‘joy in the midst’?  I have enough attitude struggles now – and my ‘sufferings’ aren’t even on the same scale as Paul’s!  But what an example!  And Paul’s ability to rise to the occasion was because he knew that his Lord loved him no matter where he was or what was happening.  Paul’s ability to rejoice in the midst was not based on Paul’s ability, but based on God’s ability to bring all things together for Paul’s good and for the good of all who love the Lord.  Paul’s confidence in his Lord was what communicated itself and resonated with the believers around him.  It was his confidence in the Lord that emboldened others to risk life and limb and preach the message without fear.  Is that what I communicate to others in both the good times and especially in the bad?

 

Prayer:

 

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for allowing my fears to hold me back from speaking your Good News with boldness.  Thank you that you have no expectation that I will have an innate ability to “step up to the plate”, but that You provide Your unlimited resources for me to do so.  Help me to remember Paul – not on a pedestal, but in a prison, relying on You, rejoicing in You, and by his confidence only in You, being responsible for emboldening others as well.

 

In Jesus’ name

 

Amen.

 

Sue Otto