A Different Perspective

Dearly beloved, I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. In Philippians 1, Paul writes to the church in Philippi about being in prison. Now, if one hears about someone being in prison, there is usually cause for sorrow and remorse, and sympathy. But Paul had a different and interesting perspective – he considered what benefits were coming out of his time in prison. He realized that people were becoming aware of Jesus Christ, for whom he was in prison, the gospel was being preached more, and disciples gained courage to preach even more.

Philippians 1v12-14, 18 (AMPC) say “¹²Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel). ¹³ So much is this a fact that throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest [here] my imprisonment has become generally known to be in Christ [that I am a prisoner in His service and for Him]. ¹⁴ And [also] most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak and publish fearlessly the Word of God [acting with more freedom and indifference to the consequences]. … ¹⁸ But what does it matter, so long as either way, whether in pretense [for personal ends] or in all honesty [for the furtherance of the Truth], Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I [now] rejoice, yes, and I shall rejoice [hereafter] also.” Hallelujah. Paul saw and encouraged the brethren to rest assured, that the imprisonment only served to advance the good news. What perspective do you have to the things happening to you?

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word today. We thank You for You are with us always. O God, help us to see our situations through Your eyes o Lord, that we may know what to rejoice in and what we need to resist. Thank You Most High God, in Jesus name we pray with thanksgiving, amen.