Imprisonment that led to the bolstering of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Philippians 1:12-26

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Philippians 1:12-14

Paul was not in prison because he was a criminal that robbed, murdered, rebelled against the government etc., he was in prison for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Over time, this became evident to all of the guards and all the rest that Paul was not a criminal at all but remained imprisoned anyway. Everyone knew that Paul was in prison simply for sharing his conversion through Jesus Christ and for wanting everyone else to know Jesus too. That is what Paul meant when he said, “…it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ.” Meanwhile, all the fellow Christians saw how Paul was converting many around him within the palace to Jesus Christ, was writing letters to the churches from prison, etc., which encouraged them to be bold in speaking the Gospel. Paul’s imprisonment worked out to be a boost to the spread of the testimony of our Lord Jesus.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we live in the Holy Spirit so that it is evident that our rejection by today’s culture is for no other reason than for our belief in God the Creator. The majority of people live for the entity that has power over physiology to give them what to think, feel, say, and do. This entity replaces the conscience and spirit as the churches have abandoned the Gospel of Christ, government lawmakers no longer integrate the values of the Bible in their legislation, the educational system does not allow the teachings of the Bible in the classrooms, and Christianity is unwanted in society.

“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:15-18

Some people were jealous of Paul and his success among the Romans, Gentiles, and many Jewish people as well. In order to rub Paul’s nerves raw, his enemies would preach the Gospel for their own enrichment, without really believing in Christ and very insincerely. This was totally opposite of Paul and was everything Paul was preaching against. They were purposely trying to hurt Paul, knowing he was helpless in prison and couldn’t do anything about it. Christians know the true Gospel that has led to our born-again experience, and to see people preaching the Gospel, and not knowing the born-again experience is disgusting to us. We see them on television and everywhere, wearing the mask of ministers of righteousness, “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

While some were mockingly preaching the gospel to hurt Paul, others really wanted to be like him in his dedication to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They knew Paul was appointed for ministering the Gospel and from a heart of love they too wanted to share in the ministry. Whether they were preaching the Gospel to hurt Paul or from sincere love, Paul was just glad to know the name of Jesus Christ was heard, “Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”

“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:19-21

Paul had nothing to be ashamed of with a reputation of being a prison inmate because his reputation as a sincere and devoted person of God was stronger. As fellow believers, we have to have that same devotion, knowing that whatever reputation we have among today’s atheistic culture, the reputation we have in the eyes of God, as believers in Jesus Christ, is stronger. Our Salvation, our deliverance, is to rest on that reputation, and to have this prayer in our heart for other believers, to live on the supply of the Spirit of Christ. Whether we continue life in this turbulent world, or come to our death, we can say with Paul that to live is Christ and to die is gain.

“But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” Philippians 1:22-24

Paul was about 60 years of age when he was executed by beheading by the Romans. He knew his time was short and he would die soon. Even so, his desire was to be with Christ, but he also felt a responsibility to raise the followers of Christ in the faith. Paul was imprisoned for about 4 1/2 years, and only the final two of those years were in Rome. Click here for a post on that from Acts 28:30-31 Scroll down to about the fourth paragraph.

As followers of Jesus Christ, and with Paul, we can say that as long as we are alive on this earth, we want to be fruitful in the Gospel of Christ. Paul had entered into old age, his execution was near, and death was very much on his mind, and he knew how easy it would have been to surrender to death, but he also knew how many Churches were depending on him. Paul said he couldn’t tell which he would surrender himself to, being with Christ is much better, but for him to remain alive on earth was something the Churches needed. As Christian senior citizens, advanced in age, we know when our time is near, we will have to surrender to death, but as long as we can, the Gospel will be shared to the end.

“And being confident of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.” Philippians 1:25-26

Like Paul, we choose life, and as long as we remain on this earth, we want to see fellow Christians progress in their faith with joy.

---

“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11