This morning I am reading and studying in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Here Paul begins with thanksgiving and prayer as he does in his letters. Then he moves directly into living a life of Christ beginning with advancing the gospel.
“12I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” – Philippians 1:12-13 (ESV)
You can see that Paul is of course maintains his transparency in that he does not shy away from the fact that he is in prison. And everyone knows that he is in prison for advancing the gospel. He is fully aware of the cost to his decision to follow Christ and advance the gospel. I even look here and can see his smile as he tells how everyone is knowing of his reason for being there, as well as in the next verse. It is worth it to Paul in that he has advanced the gospel to all that he has come in contact, regardless of what the consequences are or where he might be at the time.
“14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” – Philippians 1:14 (ESV)
Not only does Paul know the cost and is indifferent to it for his sake, but he also knows the result is subjective as well. There are those that will learn and advance the gospel for the glory of God and there are those that will do so in mockery and out of spite.
“15Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.” – Philippians 1:15-17 (ESV)
I read these 3 verses and see that man will be good and man will be evil. It is not my duty to judge their actions, that is left to God. My role is simply to advance the gospel as Paul did, regardless of the result of my work. God will do the work on the individuals just as He will judge them. I have to understand my role and embrace it for the glory of God.
“18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.” – Philippians 1:18 (ESV)
Paul understood that any proclamation of the God is good. Whether that proclamation was for Him or against Him, the advance of the gospel took place and God’s word was heard. He knew that if even one life is saved, it is all worth it. The seen result is something that cannot be our concern. We have to be looking for the advance of the gospel and not the result of our actions. God will reward us for the work we are doing when the work is done.
I may not reach everyone that I come in contact, but I have to continue advancing the gospel. I cannot concern myself with what the cost might be, God will care for me by providing for all of my needs. I cannot concern myself with the result of my advance of the gospel, God will cultivate my advancement with those that are interested. It is simply my role to advance the gospel and allow God to take care of the cost and result.
When you are in the world, what does your advance of the gospel look like? Are you “preaching” only in the environments that are favorable and will yield the “best” results? What if you took the approach of Paul and did not worry of the cost or the result and just advanced the gospel to all?
Trevor's Thoughts 