Despite My Chains
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians is a letter written by Paul to the church in Philippi. When Paul wrote this letter, he was arrested for sharing the Gospel. His intention with this letter was to tell the Philippians he was doing fine and happy to be in prison. That is mind-boggling; he is in prison, and he is happy? Secondly, Paul wanted to pastor and encourage the Philippians. The central theme of Philippians is joy. Paul shows us that no matter how dark our circumstances get, we can still have joy.
"It is a glorious revelation how life in fellowship with Christ triumphs over all adverse circumstances" - Morgan.
A little backstory on Paul. He was initially a Pharisee (a type of religious leader who ensured that the laws were kept by the Jews) who persecuted the Christians. You can't blame Paul. Israel tended to turn from God and worship false gods. Paul was doing what he thought was right, protecting Israel from another false god. That is until Jesus revealed himself to Paul. The radical way in which Paul's heart was changed is something only Jesus can provide. It makes the story of Paul so much sweeter. Going from persecuting Christians to having his heart renewed and wanting to spread the Gospel. However, in the process, he ended up in jail and faced execution. Despite all this, Paul still prayed with joy and wanted to be a servant of God.
Philippians 1:9-11
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Paul starts his letter by saying he continually prays for the Philippians. This is the first lesson Paul gives us. To pray for others. Paul explains how he prayed that the Philippians would be more loving, increase their knowledge of God, be more discerning, and live purely. These aren't easy or superficial prayers like "Please keep them safe when traveling today". No, these are deep and specific prayers. He is praying for a radical change among the Philippians, just like he experienced with Jesus. Paul is putting the needs of others before his own. He wants the church to grow spiritually and is praying for that to happen, but he also imitates what it means to be a Christian. Pray for others.
Philippians 1:12-13
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
Paul did not let the fact that he was in prison stop him from spreading the Gospel; he saw it as an invitation to continue. Prison guards and prisoners were hearing the Gospel, who would otherwise not have received it.
Philippians 1:14
14 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.
Philippians 1:18-19
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
We can be confident in our faith because of the suffering Paul endured. We know from Paul's letter that he had joy in his suffering. That God took care of Paul while in prison. God used Paul in situations we would see as hopeless. Because of Paul's imprisonment and his joy, Christians were gaining more confidence in sharing the Gospel. Paul handled his trial with faith, and the other believers were confident enough to do the same. You have to respect Paul; he sat in that prison cell and said, "No way will I wallow in my sadness and think 'Woe is me!' I will share the Gospel!". How many of us will think like that? Paul did not let his situation stop him from encouraging others; we should have the same mindset.
Philippians 1:22-25
Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith
The most astounding part of this letter is Paul's conviction about being with God. Paul explains how he desires to be with God instead of here, on earth. That's a powerful statement. Paul is showing he has no fear of death. He wishes to die; as strange as that sounds, it shows Paul's longing to be with Jesus.
If Paul lives, that's good because he can continue spreading the Gospel, but if he dies, that's alright with him, too, because then he will be with Jesus. Paul was not caught up with what was happening on earth; he was constantly focused on what was ahead, his time with Jesus, as that is his and our rightful home.
Throughout the letter, it becomes apparent that Paul's desires were not selfish. They were:
Others focused
Jesus focused
Paul explains that the enemy's only tactic is fear and intimidation. The enemy cannot scare us if we stand firm against it.
Despite our chains, joy and faith can triumph.
