Advance the Gospel

DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS

ADVANCE THE GOSPEL

Phil 1:12-14

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

NIV

Once again, this appears to have nothing to do with anything other than a report of the circumstances of Paul at the time of his writing this letter. However, the point that he is making is that it does not matter his situation as long as the gospel is being advanced. In some respects, it is difficult to understand why others would be bolder in their preaching the gospel because of Paul being in chains for preaching the gospel. Still, there is something we might glean from Pauls’ attitude regarding his situation. Sometimes we have a tendency to think of life as a believer is like a bed of roses. That is because we are believers, God blesses us abundantly in every area of our lives. We live in paradise already, so to speak. He watches over us, he protects us, he provides all are needs, and even many of our wants. If we need anything we merely have to ask for it in the name of Jesus and we will be given it as long as we believe. Well, at least that seems like the mindset of some believers and it is easy sometimes to take on that same attitude. Most of the time we are blessed beyond measure. Our life is good, we live well. However, perhaps we should not be thinking so much about our life and how well we live, but as to how can our life advance the gospel. Is not the purpose of our life to bring glory to God? Are we not supposed to testify to the mighty power of God in our lives? Should we not be given God all the glory for all we are, all we say, and all we have? Our lives are not about ourselves, to die is gain, to live is Christ. It is not about our achievements, our success, or anything about us. Maybe we should get rid of the personal pronoun “I” altogether. Instead, maybe we should be saying it is because of Christ in my life, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. That is the type of influence we should be having on other believers. Our lives should be lived in a manner that advances the gospel so that it is clear throughout the whole workplace, the whole church, the whole neighborhood, that our lives are in Christ. It would seem whatever our situation or circumstance in life, we should be using that to advance the gospel.