First Response

By |Published On: July 6, 2018|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a reading from Philippians, Chapter 1.

The apostle Paul writes to all the saints in Philippi, he says, first off, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really 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.”

Now, friend listening, I want you to note some very important things about this brief passage. Remember, this was Paul’s first letter from prison to the church at Philippi, right? I mean, obviously, he was aware that the Philippians were anxious to hear how Paul was doing in prison. Their beloved friend was in a hard, cold jail cell. They were worried, they were wondering. And Paul could have started off his letter this way; he could have said, “To all the saints in Philippi. I am so glad you are praying because man, I really need it. The prison guards are mean, my chains are chafing, the grub is lousy, plus the nights are freezing, the blankets are thin, and you wouldn’t believe how hard my bed is. It makes sleep almost impossible. Plus, even when I tried to rest, the other inmates are such big bullies. I’m constantly being harassed, and the authorities threaten me every time I mention the name of Jesus. Man, this place is no picnic! It’s awful! Believe me I am so grateful, so glad you are praying!”

You know, that’s how some people might have responded, and to be honest, perhaps you would have said the same. When we are in pain, it’s only human to want everyone else to feel it. If I’m going to have to go through this awful stuff I’m going to make sure you know how hard it is, right? But no, Paul didn’t do that. No, he was not about to drag the Philippians down with a long list of complaints. Rather, Paul trusted his hardships to Christ, and he assured the Philippians that he was praying for them! More than anything, he wanted to encourage the church with his prayers and to assure them the Gospel was going forth. So right up at the top of his letter, as part of the introduction, he says triumphantly: “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me, oh man, it has really served to advance the gospel – this is so great. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard (can you believe it?) and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.”

Wow! What a great attitude he had! For him, it’s all about making the gospel real to others, whether those others were in prison or whether those others were in his own church. Paul even says in Acts 20:24, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me; the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Wow! Paul’s focus in good times and bad was the going-forth of the Good News and making it real in the lives of both sinner and saint. What an example! So, if today you are going through a tough time, and you are tempted to unload it on someone, maybe a coworker, or with a friend, or your spouse when you get home you want to unload on, you can’t wait to list a litany of complaints, don’t. Don’t do it. Instead, make the gospel real to them. Be a testimony of courage. Be a witness for the sustaining grace of God. Let that be your goal today; not complaining about the problems, but to see them as opportunities to boast in Jesus. It will glorify Him and it will help all your friends, coworkers and your spouse.

© Joni and Friends

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