Meditations from the Book of Philippians part 2 – Week 25 / June 17th

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The Blessedness of Difficult Circumstances – Philippians 1:12-26

Paul’s Circumstances 1:12
Paul’s preaching of the Gospel landed him in deep trouble in that he found himself ultimately taken to Rome where he was placed in prison. Humanly speaking this was not a blessing as a Roman prison was no picnic in that its conditions were harsh, primitive and cruel. One survived on the good will of those “outside” who would bring one food, clothing and other necessities. (Philippians 4:10-19) This most certainly serves to remind us that the Gospel challenges the carnal heart of people and can produce a response that is filled with anger and hatred. Today, especially in the Islamic world, many Christians are dying for their faith in Christ. Paul was prepared to serve God in difficult circumstances. Why was this so? Because He knew that God was nevertheless watching over Him and He knew that God would weave these trials into His perfect will for his life. Paul was convinced of this and recognized it.  He wrote about this belief in his letter to the Church at Rome. That is, he knew that God would work all things together for his good! (Romans 8:28) Christians need to hear this time and time again because today we hear a false gospel that assures God’s people of no difficulties because of their faith in Christ.

Paul’s testimony 1:12-20
Paul discovered that his difficult circumstances were all part of the amazing plan of God in that through them:

1. People were reached with the love of Christ who otherwise would never have been reached.  (V12-13)

That is the “Palace Guard” were so impacted by his joyful and positive disposition that they became followers of Christ! Usually prisoners were embittered, filled with anger and hurled constant abuse at their captors; but here was a prisoner who loved his captors and took an interest in them! He was moreover joyful and positive. How could this be unless He had something supernatural and life changing, the Gospel of Jesus? Please remember that someone, who would not be reached with Jesus’ love normally, is watching your behavior as you encounter difficult circumstances.

This being so; what message are you sending them?

2. The Church was encouraged to preach the Gospel more courageously. (V14-18) 

When the believers in Rome saw how God had blessed, emboldened and anointed Paul in prison they were encouraged themselves to preach more boldly. They had a living example of God’s grace and deliverance in difficult circumstances and were thus enabled to trust God for their own lives. Some people were preaching the Gospel because they were competitive and, without Paul being around, they were positioning themselves for places of authority and influence. Paul was unconcerned because he knew, and rejoiced in the fact, that Christ was being preached.

Do you preach Christ and are your motives pure?

3. Paul’s life was being conformed to that of the image of Christ. (V19-20) 

When we encounter trials we tend to seek God more fervently and we sort out our priorities. Paul recognized that his difficulties had pushed him back on the grace of God and that only Jesus could hold him up and enable him not to fail Him. He wanted Jesus to be glorified in His body so that people could see the truth about the Gospel. Trouble will change you and purify your life but you must have patience and lots of it. (James 1:2-4) To be sure don’t look for times of difficulty but when they come embrace the season with faith and patience in God.

He will transform you by them.

Paul’s Desire (V21-26)
Paul was so fully conquered by the love of Christ that he wanted to be with Him forever and as soon as possible. To hang around on earth was a distraction because He knew what awaited him in Heaven. How many of us have this attitude and desire? If Paul did stay around on earth it would be for one reason only and that was to encourage and help Jesus’ people. (V24-25) 

Here is a man who was deeply assured of his salvation and who knew that Heaven was more real than the world that he saw and lived in. What dedication and commitment! I can’t help but wonder how we measure up to this? Most of all; may we too be filled with so wonderful a love as to proclaim, as Paul did, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Malcolm Hedding

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