I Will Continue To Rejoice

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of 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.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

Philippians 1:12-18

There were many things going on that were just wrong in the Philippian Church. Certain people were preaching the gospel out of selfish ambition to add to Paul’s suffering. But instead of concentrating on the negative, he chose to look at the positive and rejoice in it: Jesus Christ was being preached in it.

God wants us to be discerning – we need to know good from bad – but He doesn’t want us to focus on the bad and become critical or discouraged. Even in circumstances that are less than ideal, like Paul writing from prison, we can find something good because in times of trouble God is still at work.

When your outlook is blurred by problems, focus on Christ.

Our Daily Bread – July 11, 2011