JULY 13

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES:

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NAMES GIVEN TO JESUS IN THE BIBLE:

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ALTOGETHER LOVELY—Song of Solomon 5:16

“ONE LIKE THE SON OF GOD” IN THE FURNACE WITH THE 3 MEN–Daniel 3:25

STOPPED THE MOUTHS OF THE LIONS –Daniel 6:27

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This month we will read the book, “Whatever Happens – How to Stand Firm in Your Faith When the World is Falling Apart.”  By a contemporary author of many best-selling Christian books, Robert J. Morgan.  He took care of his wife when she had MS, until she went home to her Savior.  “He knows of which he speaks.”  I pray that this book blesses you.

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Philippians 1:12-18

“ But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,  so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;  and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;  but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.  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.”

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“HAS ACTUALLY SERVED….”

The word “actually” is the Greek word “mallon” which means “on the contrary,”  “rather,” or “instead of.”  In other words, Paul was saying, “The things that have happened to me have – contrary to what people might think – turned out for good.”

For example, suppose you said to me, “You must be very tired.”  I might reply, “  ‘Actually,’ I feel great.  I’m full of energy.”

Similarly, Paul was saying, “People think what happened to me has hurt me and hindered the gospel, but “actually” the opposite has occurred.”

“What has happened to me has actually served….”  That’s an amazing word.  What has happened to me – all of Paul’s seeming misfortune and delay and imprisonment – all of that “actually” served!  

It’s the same for the believer today.  The circumstances of our lives have become servants of Christ’s commands.

Our circumstances must bow before Jesus.  We may not be able to control them, and chaos may seem to reign.  But the Savior who turned water into wine and death into life can bring about a mutation, a transfiguration, a reversal, of our circumstances.  The savior can turn our circumstances into His servants for the advancement of His kingdom.

This is a part of redemption.

Now we come to the last phrase of Paul’s sentence: “what has happened to me has actually served ‘to advance the gospel’”

“TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL…”

That was all that was on Paul’s mind – advancing the gospel.  Paul talked about this many times, but really focused on it in this letter to the Philippians.  The book has 104 verses, and the word “gospel” is used nine times.  In terms of proportions and percentages, that’s a greater concentration of the use of this word than in his other letters.  The book of Romans is his only letter that uses the word more, but it has sixteen chapters.

In just the first chapter of this book, Paul mentioned the gospel six times: he partnered with the church in the spread of the gospel (vs 5); he was in chains for confirming the gospel (vs 7); he advanced the gospel (vs 12);  he proclaimed the gospel (vs 14);  he defended the gospel (vs 16); and he encouraged the Philippians to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, striving together as one in faith (vs 27)

When I see Paul’s zeal here, I’m ashamed and ready to rededicate myself.  How much does your zeal in life reflect Paul’s concern for the advancement of the gospel?

How did what had happened to him – his adversity – serve to advance the gospel?  In two ways.  First he was chained to soldiers 24 hours a day.  He always seemed to be on good terms with the soldiers protecting him, and he shared his message with them.  They were a captive audience – not only did he speak to them directly, but  they heard his conversations with others and they listened as he prayed.  He told the Philippians, “First of all, my imprisonment means a personal witness for Christ before the palace guards not to mention others who come and go.” ( 1:13).

The imperial guard was made up of about ten thousand of Rome’s best soldiers.  They served under the direct command of Nero to protect him, to provide a police presence in Rome, and to do his bidding throughout the empire.  Paul’s converts among these soldiers took the gospel to far-flung regions he could never have gone himself.

What appeared to be Paul’s tragedy was really God’s strategy.

Second, Paul’s circumstances had a bracing effect on the church.  He said, Most of our brothers somehow taking fresh heart in the Lord from the very fact that I am a prisoner for Christ’s sake, have shown far more courage in boldly proclaiming the Word of God.” (Philippians 1;14).

We can see how this works, can’t we?  When you read of the courage of a Christian facing persecution in an oppressive land – when they stand bravely for Christ despite threats and intimidations – doesn’t it encourage you to be bolder and more outspoken in your faith?

Gloomy thoughts come from the way we interpret the happenings of our lives.  Paul knew that every single circumstance was under the providence, the sovereignty and the control of Jesus Christ, who had turned an occupied tomb into an empty grave.  He knew that everything worked together for the good of those who love God and are living according to His purposes.  He could even see some of the benefits God was bringing about.

The things that happen to us have a divine way of actually turning out for our good and for the furtherance of the gospel, too.   In His own way and time, the Lord reverses adversity, overrides misfortune and dismantles the devil’s schemes.

He will do this for you.

Whatever happens, you can trust Him.

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