Today I started reading the book of Philippians which is a letter written by Paul to the believers in Philippi. When Paul was writing that letter he was in prison but one can see that his love and faith in Jesus were never affected by Paul’s circumstances. Paul was even rejoicing in the partnership of the believers of Philippi in the gospel of God as Philippians 1: 4-5 says it. Paul was even praying for them while in prison! Philippians 1: 9- 11 says:
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God”.
Do you remember to pray for others in your tribulations? I honestly don’t. We usually tend to be so centered on ourselves and feel sorry for ourselves when we are in struggles but I think we should learn something else from Paul who was a great servant of God. Paul believed that He who began a good work of sharing the gospel of God in Paul will carry it on to completion and the end of it would be the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). This is why Paul did not stop sharing the word of Christ even though he was in prison. This is why we shouldn’t focus on our struggles and tribulations because we need to share God’s word until Jesus comes back! we don’t have time to take a break because the devil is working too. I understand that we face many things in this journey called life but let me tell you something, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and God is our vindicator and He is just and fair (Psalm 7:6). Don’t lose your time trying to fix things by yourself, let God do His job, just focus on His gospel.
Let us be like Paul, let’s decide and be determined to make Jesus’ name known whether we are in our good or bad days. According to Paul, his chains were actually contributing to the advancement of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1: 12-14). Maybe what you are going through can help someone else. I am not telling you to tell everyone everything but tell God and keep doing His good works, keep contributing to the advancement of His gospel, pray for others, and keep being in His presence, PRAY and let God do His job and He will certainly work through you.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:21-24).
It is advantageous for the Kingdom of God that we continue living fully in this world in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27) because as each member of a body has its own function, each one of us has a role to play in the body of Christ. You are needed for the advancement of the gospel! Jesus did not promise us an easy life since He also went through struggles and tribulations Himself while He was holy, who are we to not go through the same things? The good news is that Jesus left us a helper who is the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). Let me finish with this verse that sums it well, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27) and know that “The gospel of Jesus Christ is the message of the good news of salvation offered to mankind by grace through faith in the finished works of Christ on the cross” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Prayer: Father God, thank you for sending me a helper in this difficult life, thank you for being my vindicator. Thank you for having my back. I ask you to help me not to be centered on myself because of the struggles I am going through but to always be committed to the advancement of Your gospel, Your message of the good news of salvation offered to everyone by grace through faith, and fulfill my role as a part of the body of Christ. Amen
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