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Daily Devotion: Philippians 1:12-14

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Philippians 1:12-14    "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;  (13)  So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;  (14)  And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."

Do you ever wonder why things happen in your life? I think we probably wonder about that more when bad things happen; more so, than when we are in the good times of our lives.  As we read this book of Philippians, again understanding that Paul is in prison, he doesn't ask "why" this has happened to him.  In verse 12, he tells us why this happened to him: "the things which happened unto me have fallen out ... unto the furtherance of the gospel."  Can you imagine? Paul is saying, "I am in this prison cell so I can preach the Gospel to people that I would have otherwise never met." What a concept!

Can you see how selfless the Apostle Paul was concerning the preaching of the Gospel?  He said, "By my bonds (chains) in prison, my bonds (chains) in Christ are manifest (openly seen) in all the palace, and in all other places."  Be certain, there is a great difference between being bound by man and being bound to Christ. One tries to imprison and the other liberates to a glorious freedom that is experienced by following Christ. Paul had been made free, in Christ, to boldly preach the good news of redemption in Christ Jesus to others who had been imprisoned - including the prison guard. As a result, many others became bold in sharing their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of Paul's boldness, others were freed from the prison of fear to do what the Lord called them to do.

How is it with us today? Are we free in our thoughts, habits, and traditions in order to follow the leadership of God? Is there something that is preventing us from enjoying the complete freedom and joy that is found only in Jesus Christ?  If so, what is it? You don't have to answer to me, but if there is something holding us back from the glorious freedom and peace of Jesus Christ, is it not time to lay it down - give it to Jesus - that it might be healed and we might be delivered into His joy, peace, and love?

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