Background text: Philippians 1: 12-14; 20-24 (New International Version)
12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[a] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly………..20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Key verse: 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Introduction
The Philippian church was the first church established by Paul and his companions on the European continent during his second missionary journey. At the time of his writing, Paul was in a roman prison. Paul was writing this letter to encourage the believers in this church.
And being in prison because of the gospel, Paul knew that many believers might get discouraged and give up on the work which our Lord Jesus Christ had started in their lives. Many thought that by limiting Paul from witnessing about Christ would eventually end his ministry. This is utterly one of the lies of the devil.
The more Paul stayed in prison the more he had the opportunity to preach to the palace guards and everyone else around there and this therefore advanced the gospel of Christ. This resulted to preaching and witnessing of the word of God more courageously and fearlessly by many believers! Paul did not look at the chains as a set back of the ministry he was called unto. He turned the setback into an opportunity! He turned the prison into a crusade meeting to witness on the resurrection of our lord Jesus Christ!!
Paul demonstrated various things which are important to us:
1. Faith
Our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ should never be waivered by the circumstances or challenges which we are facing in our lives and also ministries which we are serving. This is the time when the real faith which we have in Christ Jesus should be demonstrated and let our adversaries understand that the one who is in us is far greater than the one in the world. For when Christ died, He conquered death and thus made us to be more than conquerors. Therefore we should never loose our faith in Christ Jesus but let it be perfected in Him.
2. Attitude
Paul had a positive attitude and never considered his chains as a setback to the ministry but rather saw it as a challenge! This was also evident to all the rest of the apostles. Whether they had the freedom or faced death, they continued to preach the gospel of Christ boldly and fearlessly. Trials and Persecutions were not a setback to them but rather provided an opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed even beyond their borders.
We should always view the challenges positively and thereby look for an opportunity for our Lord Jesus Christ to be exalted in it! I love the story about the three young men – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were faced with a"seven times heated furnace glowing red hot", however they stood firm on their faith and defended the word of the living God!
They replied king Nebuchadnezzar “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV).
3. Boldness
The prison did not cower Paul but made him to be bolder and fearless in witnessing and speaking the gospel of Christ Jesus! Though Paul and Silas were stripped, bitten, severely flogged and thrown into prison, they never seized to pray and sing hymns to God! In that prison the jailer and later his whole family received Christ! Acts 16:22-34.
Paul was even bolder to even face death. For he knew that death meant that he was joining Christ in eternity and that he was going to receive a greater prize for the task which he had accomplished.
4. Ashamed
When confronted with persecutions and trials we as believers should always be ready to testify of our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to constantly ask the Holy Spirit of God to give us wisdom and courage to spread the gospel whether we have the liberty or when confronted with death. We should never allow our lifestyles and our self esteem to be a hindrance to the greater calling in our lives.
Christ Jesus says “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Mark 8:38 (NIV).
Paul was never ashamed of Jesus Christ even when he was in chains! He encouraged and urged Timothy (his spiritual son) not to be ashamed of testifying about our Lord Jesus Christ or be ashamed of him (Paul) a prisoner in chains. Paul wanted Timothy to present himself to God as one approved and a workman! 2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV).
Conclusion
Therefore whether in liberty or when faced with death let Christ be Christ in our lives and let us continue to live for Him!
For Prayers
We need to ask the Holy Spirit to change our attitude and make us to be positive minded no matter the situation which we are faced with! Also ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to give us boldness to preach the gospel whether in good or bad times. We need also to remember other saints around the world who are encountering difficulties and ask God to strengthen their faith in Christ Jesus so that they will continue to preach and spread the great gospel.
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