You Must Understand
There's something you've got to understand. Notice the word understand in Philippians 1:12. The title of the October Philippians series is "Managing Your Mind," and the word understand is another instance where Paul references the mind.
Paul is literally in a life or death situation as he writes Philippians. He thinks he might even die that day. That's why he famously says in Philippians 1:21, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." It could be either one: life or death. He doesn't know. Remember, Paul is writing while under house arrest in prison in Rome and he's under the horrific Caesar named Nero. Nero was known for martyring Christians. So, at any moment, based on the whims of Nero, Paul could be executed. I'm saying that in extreme situations like that, most of us end up with manic, out-of-control, panicked minds. Yet Paul doesn't. Paul wants the reader to understand that the things that are happening to him "have fallen out rather under the furtherance of the gospel." Paul wants you to understand that Romans 8:28 is happening for him. Even though he's in a life-threatening situation, the gospel is being furthered. And, in verse 13, Paul explains that his bonds are in Christ and that people in the palace and in all other places are hearing about Christ.
Further, in verse number 14, he explains that some of the brethren are much more bold to speak the word without fear. They weren't just bold; they weren't just more bold. They were "much more bold" to speak the word without fear. Glory to God for that. All three of our verses, 12-14, make that point that, even though Paul is in prison, that God is getting glory because the gospel is being furthered.
Here's some application for you today. Whatever undesirable or uncertain circumstances you're in, find ways to further the gospel in that situation. Ultimately, good things can come from a bad situation. There are people I get to pastor who, when they end up in the hospital, they use that surgery or that physical situation to witness to doctors and nurses who come into the room. They're saying, "Okay, Lord, I don't desire to have the shoulder surgery, or the gallbladder removed, but since I'm here, I'm going to further the gospel." They're saying, "I might have some bad news physically, but I'm going to communicate the good news spiritually to the people around me." Perhaps you're frustrated financially and you're paying your bills today. Pay as many of those bills as you can and then insert a gospel tract in the envelope. I'm saying that good things can come out of undesirable circumstances if you're gospel focused.
The above article was written by James C. Johnson. He is the pastor of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.
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