Philippians 1:1-30

We often allow circumstances to dictate our attitudes.  When things go well and we are comfortable we are happy but when suffering and trials come our way we easily become irritable and unhappy.  As Paul penned the words to this book he was imprisoned yet he is full of reasons to rejoice.  I think that the reason Paul was able to overcome his difficult circumstances with rejoicing is because his focus in life was not on himself or his circumstances but on the Gospel of Christ.  He was able to find great reasons for rejoicing because the Gospel was advancing.

PAUL REJOICES IN HIS PARTNERSHIPS IN THE GOSPEL: Even in prison Paul realized that he was not alone but that he was a part of the body of Christ and that his membership in this body was key to his positive attitude independent of his circumstances.  When we face hardship it is important that we not try to face it alone or believe the lie that we are all alone.  As believers we are never alone, we have a great group of people who care for us and are there to help and encourage us.  Paul relished in the fact that there were many believers standing with him and being challenged by his circumstances.  This was a source of great rejoicing for him and it can be for us as well.  We must focus not on what we are facing but how God might be using our circumstances for the purpose of encouraging our partners in the ministry.  We are all members one of another, as long as we keep this in mind we will find it far easier to rejoice in all of the circumstances of life that come our way.

PAUL REJOICES IN THE PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL: Paul realized that because of his imprisonment that the Gospel was going forward on many different levels.  Paul was preaching the Gospel to prison guards, prisoners and before judges and kings.  People who would never have had the opportunity to hear the Gospel had Paul been free.  Paul’s partners in ministry were also being motivated to preach the Gospel more fervently because they realized that Paul’s ministry would be limited so they decided to take up the slack.  Then there were those who saw Paul’s imprisonment as an opportunity for them to gain greater influence through the preaching of the Gospel.  This last group may have not had the correct motives, but at least they were preaching the Gospel.  Paul realized that his being in prison was resulting in the advancement of the Gospel to people and place that may never have had the opportunity to hear were he still free.  The Gospel’s progress should always be a reason for us to rejoice no matter what suffering we are called to face in order that this progress may be achieved.

PAUL REJOICES IN THE PRACTICE OF THE GOSPEL: The obedience of the Philippian believers was another reason that Paul had for rejoicing while he was in prison.  Paul longed to be able to go and be with Christ that his suffering might come to an end.  However, he realized that the growth of his brothers and sisters in Christ was far more important to the cause of Christ that his own comfort and rest in heaven.  He was motivated to press on in rejoicing by the prospect of seeing his loved ones become more like Christ.  Paul’s focus was on others and the cause of Christ instead of himself and his personal wished and desires.  We would do well to follow Paul’s example and as we do, we are far more likely to experience the same unconditional joy that Paul experienced.  As we practice the Gospel and assist others in their practice of the Gospel our hearts will fill with an eternal purpose that will bring a joy that cannot be robed by any amount of pain, suffering or difficulty.