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Daily Devotional <> Tuesday <> January 9, 2018
Christ is Preached <> Philippians 1:12-18
Point of Contact <> Bro. Ben Van Winkle
Prayer is ended. Paul speaks of his blessings, meaning the benefits that have resulting from his imprisonment. The Apostle would have the brethren know that the things which happened to him, that is, his trial & imprisonment, have resulted in the furtherance of the gospel rather than stopping it. This is another demonstration of how God overrules the wicked plans of men & demons & brings triumph out of tragedy & beauty from ashes. “Man has his wickedness, but God has His way.”
First; we see Paul's chains have become evident as being in Christ. Meaning, it is well known that he was imprisoned for his testimony of Christ & not as a criminal.
The real reason of his chains became well-known throughout the palace guard. Meaning, the whole Garrison of the Roman soldier who guarded the palace where the emperor lived. The palace included all it's occupants. In any event Paul is saying that his imprisonment has served as a testimony to the representatives of the Roman imperial power where he was.
A second favorable out come of his imprisonment was that Christians were encouraged to be more fearless in testifying for the Lord Jesus. Persecution often has the effect of transforming quiet & bashful believers into courageous witnesses.
Some preached Christ out of envy & rivalry, but, there were others who had pure & sincere motives & preached Christ from good will, in an honest effort to help the Apostle.
It is a sad thing to believe that Christian service can be carried on in the energy of the flesh, motivated by greed, strife, pride, & envy. This teaches us to watch our motives when we serve the Lord. We must not do it for self-display, for the advancement of a religious sect, or for the defeat of other Christians.
Others had determined to carry on the sincere work of the gospel while Paul was confined. Under the circumstances Paul does not feel sorry for himself. He does not want sympathy. Rather he is filled with the joy of the Lord, & encourages others to rejoice also.
