“There is something I would like you to know” said Paul. Philippians 1:12-18
Paul in prison has written a letter for the Philippian church, there is something that he would like them to know. Have you ever had someone say, “there is something I want you to know” or “there is something I want to tell you”. If that does not arouse your interest, curiosity or awaken your anxiety, I’d expect you and I are very different, this surely sparks interest in me and I think the apostle Paul was very intentional about his choice of words. His intent is to draw you in, like a large sign saying, “ATTENTION PLEASE!!”
The expectation, when receiving a letter from someone who is in prison is that you may hear about some depressing news, in relation to prison life or its hardships but this letter offers the contrary. Paul wants the believers to know that the things which happened to him have served to advance the gospel and that unlike general expectation, he is happy! We see how his life is gospel centered, we see that in verse 13. After his imprisonment, his fellow Christians were bolder in their proclamation of the gospel, possibly due to the encouragement of those who went to see Paul as well as his testimony even “to the palace guard, and to all the rest”.
The position that Paul was in did not hinder the advancement of the gospel, but on the contrary, served to advance it. How many of us would boldly utter these words or have the same attitude under similar circumstances? Sometimes we struggle even during our ‘normal circumstances’. Paul wanted these believers to know that there are no accidents with God and we also ought to understand that with our ‘normal circumstances’.
If we could stop and ponder on the doctrine of the sovereignty of God, that whatever situation we are currently in, God has sovereignly put us there because he has a purpose, knowing that he loves the world and would love for all man to be saved and to come to the knowledge of him and his truth. He will use us to draw close, to him, those he is calling into his kingdom as it is our great commission to make disciples of all nations.
We are not in chains like Paul and we live in South Africa where we are free to practice our religion or exercise our faith, we do not fear persecution and being thrown into jail because of our faith. But, how often do we think about why we are where we are, work, community, family and wherever? Do we ever stop and think that us being there is for the advancement of the gospel? That God wants to use us there, and that we are presented with opportunities to spread the gospel? Or all we do is complain and mourn that our situations are just unfortunate, and we are looking for greener pastures? Constantly looking and searching for ways to advance our lives till our given mission of advancing the gospel is in hindsight.
We read in the book of John chapter 4 that Jesus had to pass through Samaria, where he met the woman in the well and after their conversation, she went out and spread the news of him who told her all that she had done, and the people went to seek him. We also learn the history of how the early church faced immense persecution and was scattered all over and that is how the gentiles and many people got to hear the gospel because God uses all our circumstances. God used that for the gospel to advance. In verse 15-18 of Philippians 1, there were some who preached the gospel, wishing to inflict sorrow on Paul by doing that, but he instead rejoiced that the gospel was being spread nonetheless. Paul doesn’t even bother to rebuke them as he normally would when someone is spreading false doctrine, instead, Paul rejoices. As much as I would love to know more about these figures, it is quite clear that Paul decides to dwell, the main thing being the advancement of the Gospel.
We have many gospel opportunities presented to us every day where we are at. Speaking of which, I remember one of the speakers who came to our gospel workshop once and shared how he was at the beach and stumbled upon a couple that was sitting down talking about gospel issues and if they are true and trustworthy, like many of us, he did not want to bother the couple, he continued a few steps and thought he did have answers to the questions they were asking one another, he politely approached them, engaged and shared the gospel with them and he never saw them again, we pray and hope that light was shed.
One thing that we can take away from Paul here is that the gospel is priority and we must use every opportunity to spread the gospel because God puts us in places where there are perishing, and they need to hear the gospel and bringing the gospel to others will refresh our souls, and like Paul, we will rejoice!
