12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. Phil 1:12-17 (KJV)
How often do we question God when something seems to go wrong in our lives? As an example, look at the Apostle Paul here in Phil. 1. He is writing to the Church at Philippi to encourage them. What is interesting is that Paul wanted to encourage them and was concerned about them when they heard he was in jail.
So here is paul in perhaps the worst conditions in his life and he is encouraging the Church, who weren't not in jail. Keep in mind the jails of his time were not like the ones we have here in America. He didn't have the comforts of TV, three meals a day and so on. He was literally chained to Roman Guards and had to depend on his friends to supply his needs. Yet he is rejoicing and being thankful for those in the church. Paul as he writes recalls what the Lord directed him to write in Romans:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Paul did not need to be reminded that God was in total control and had a reason for him being in jail. In fact he states in verse 12 that what has happened has done so for the continued preaching of the Gospel. There were some good results of his being in jail.
1. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; He was able to witness to those around him in jail. Keep in mind he was chained to people who needed to hear the Gospel. Those in Caesar's household were able to hear his message and were saved. This would not have happened if he was not in jail.
2. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. There were other preachers, pastors who saw paul's testimony in jail and were encouraged in the fact that God was still using him and was still taking care of him. Because they saw God's working, they continued to preach knowing God would do the same for them.
3. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. Here we see various others preaching for various reasons. There were those that preached out of jealousy and wanting to cause problems for Paul. They thought if they would preach like Paul that things would be worse for him. Also there were those that preached out of love for their God, knowing that Paul was secure in the Lord.They also knew that whatever happened, Paul would not reject his Lord.
You may ask "How did Paul actually respond to those who preached in order to cause him problems?" Humanly we may want Paul to judge them or to send them a letter of rebuke, but look in the following verse:
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice Phil. 1.18
Paul is simply stating that whatever the reasons they are doing what they are doing, he is thankful for the fact that the Gospel is being preached. People are hearing the Gospel because of his sufferings. Let me ask you friend, what is your reaction when God allows trouble to happen?
Do you complain and blame God for your troubles or thank Him and try to still serve Him despite the problems. Remember God never promised that everything would be good and we would always be comfortable. He did promise that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD. Everything that He allows into our lives will be profitable if we allow Him to work. God's promises can be trusted. SO the next time something "bad" happens, strive to use it for His glory.
So here is paul in perhaps the worst conditions in his life and he is encouraging the Church, who weren't not in jail. Keep in mind the jails of his time were not like the ones we have here in America. He didn't have the comforts of TV, three meals a day and so on. He was literally chained to Roman Guards and had to depend on his friends to supply his needs. Yet he is rejoicing and being thankful for those in the church. Paul as he writes recalls what the Lord directed him to write in Romans:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Paul did not need to be reminded that God was in total control and had a reason for him being in jail. In fact he states in verse 12 that what has happened has done so for the continued preaching of the Gospel. There were some good results of his being in jail.
1. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; He was able to witness to those around him in jail. Keep in mind he was chained to people who needed to hear the Gospel. Those in Caesar's household were able to hear his message and were saved. This would not have happened if he was not in jail.
2. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. There were other preachers, pastors who saw paul's testimony in jail and were encouraged in the fact that God was still using him and was still taking care of him. Because they saw God's working, they continued to preach knowing God would do the same for them.
3. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. Here we see various others preaching for various reasons. There were those that preached out of jealousy and wanting to cause problems for Paul. They thought if they would preach like Paul that things would be worse for him. Also there were those that preached out of love for their God, knowing that Paul was secure in the Lord.They also knew that whatever happened, Paul would not reject his Lord.
You may ask "How did Paul actually respond to those who preached in order to cause him problems?" Humanly we may want Paul to judge them or to send them a letter of rebuke, but look in the following verse:
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice Phil. 1.18
Paul is simply stating that whatever the reasons they are doing what they are doing, he is thankful for the fact that the Gospel is being preached. People are hearing the Gospel because of his sufferings. Let me ask you friend, what is your reaction when God allows trouble to happen?
Do you complain and blame God for your troubles or thank Him and try to still serve Him despite the problems. Remember God never promised that everything would be good and we would always be comfortable. He did promise that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD. Everything that He allows into our lives will be profitable if we allow Him to work. God's promises can be trusted. SO the next time something "bad" happens, strive to use it for His glory.
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