Practicing What He Preaches
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…Ā Ā “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,Ā that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.Ā Ā As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guardĀ and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” Philippians 1:12,13 NIV
Paul wrote to the Romans, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whoĀ have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV) So it is interesting that as he sits in a Roman prison that he is able to say, “what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel…”Ā
Paul was one to encourage others with words that he himself found true in his life. You put the great apostle in prison to silence his voice and find out that the gospel that you are trying to silence is actually being advanced. One of those ways was those in the Emperor’s palace were becoming aware of the fact Paul was in prison for his belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
I’m sure that presented some interesting conversations. Prisoners together exchanging the charges against them and why they are in chains. One confesses to murder, another insurrection, another admits to his stealing. They look at Paul and ask why he is there? He says, because I preached that Jesus who was crucified is raised from the dead! The response would be either laughter or wonderment or both. “Tell us about this Jesus.” That kind of inquiry apparently even intrigued the palace guards.
Two things to remember. One is that if Paul can discover the good in the midst of prison and all that he endured for the cause of Christ, so can we. Then we need to remember the spread of the gospel is not a privilege of those who live in a “free” nation; it is the duty of those who follow Christ and declare the “good news” whether it is accepted or rejected; whether it is supported or fought against.
Paul writes to the Philippians and says, “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV) Why does he say that? Because he had and was experiencing it in his life. In the midst of obstacles, suspicions, conflicts from the Jews and division among believers, Paul was committed to “pressing on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
We can have confidence in the admonitions and encouragement of scripture, because as Paul wrote his encouragement came from his own experience.
Prayer for today…Ā Lord help us to look at scripture not as pious theory, but that which truly applies to our lives. Ā Behind the admonitions and encouragement we find men and women who knew the reality of which they spoke.