Philippians Chapter 1: 12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Philippians Chapter 1: Verse 20
I 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.
Paul was in chains in prison and yet he could still say that there was good that had come out of the situation he found himself in. His testimony was evident to the guards to whom he was physically changed. I suppose they would have seen straight away if he had really just been saying all the right things, but his life showed that he was truly sold out for God. In taking his stand, new believers who had been afraid of persecution were able to see how God was with Paul, even in prison, and that made them confident to believe He would be with them too. Thus, they overcame their fears as a result of Paul’s testimony. He even spoke of his eager hopes and expectations for whatever lay ahead.
Can we say the same when we are going through times of hardship? We should be able to. God has not changed, and the Holy Spirit lives in us, just as He did with Paul. Yet I’m not sure I would be able to say I was eager to face whatever lay ahead, if I found myself as persecuted as Paul. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a famous German pastor who took a stand against the Nazi’s. He even returned to Germany from safety in the USA. His faith and stand cost him persecution and ultimately his life. Yet he could say in spite of what he was going through, ‘Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.’ Food for thought indeed.
Dear Lord,
Paul’s example of faith in the midst of great adversity, in turn brought courage and strength to other Christians and reminds me that how we live our lives has an impact on others, sometimes when we don’t even realise it. Make my life a positive influence in helping others find Christ. I ask in His Name. Amen.