We’re continuing through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. If you remember, Paul is writing this from his house arrest in Rome. This was his first Roman imprisonment for supposedly breaking the Jewish law and starting a riot in Jerusalem.

You would think that by this time, a couple of years after the “crime” took place, he would be angry and frustrated at the drawn-out procedure to prove his innocence. His letter shows the attitude that he had.

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

Philippians 1:12 NIV

I find this amazing. He doesn’t vent his frustration. There’s no call for prayer for his quick release. He has a totally different attitude than that.

This is because his eyes are not on himself and his position. Instead, his focus is on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He rejoices that his circumstances move the Gospel forward.

We need this same mindset when we go through frustrating circumstances. We should ask; how does my present situation advance the Gospel? Instead, many times we just wallow in self-pity.

Paul’s positive attitude even had an effect on those around him.

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Philippians 1:13-14 NIV

The fact is that God’s grace was reaching out through Paul to both the saved and the unsaved. There were those in the Roman legal system working on his case that heard the Gospel. I’m sure that many came to faith in Christ as a result of his testimony.

Also, other believers were affected. Maybe they were “in the closet” because of the sporadic persecution. But then they saw the boldness of Paul, and the results of his testimony. That was able to spur them on to a more active faith. They started walking in boldness and courage for Christ.

You would think that through all of this, the Christians would be rallying around Paul, encouraging him. But that’s not the case. There’s always those who seem to live to cause trouble (even today).

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Philippians 1:15-18 NIV

Preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry – how is that possible? I can tell you that it’s still a big problem today.

All you have to do is start preaching Scripture in such a way that it attracts a large crowd of people. Then, suddenly, you find that there are preachers who make it their goal to preach about you. It amazes me that in our culture, there are preachers whose whole “ministry” is to preach against fellow believers.

“It doesn’t matter that hundreds are being saved under a ministry. If I don’t agree with something they say, then I make it my goal to come against them.”

Paul had to face this same hindrance. But how did he handle it. Did he yell and scream trying to defend himself in anger over the attacks? No, just the opposite. He simply kept doing what God called him to do.

We need to pick up on Paul’s attitudes. No matter what the situation around us is like, we must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and His Gospel. That’s the only way to survive, spiritually, in the generation we find ourselves in right now.

Question: What is your attitude toward the place you find yourself in?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi