January 22, 2016 - Commitment, "to pledge or promise, to be engaged or to become involved".
Commitment to Paul meant much more than words, it called for his continued service to the Lord, no matter the conditions or hardships he might face each day. The book of Philippians was written by Paul during the time of his bondage in Rome. He sat, literally, in chains as he wrote the scriptures.
Verses 12 through 14 of our text tell of the results of his faithfulness within the palace prison where he was imprisoned. "But, I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel." (Phil. 1:12) By his faith the palace guards had been converted and were speaking of the gospel of Christ, even within the prison."and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear." (Phil.1:14)
Paul says that some preach Christ from envy and strife, hoping to make his imprisonment even worse, while others preach Christ out of love for the Word. Either way says Paul, calls for rejoicing; "and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."
Paul rejoiced that Christ was preached, regardless of the motive of some of trying to add to his bonds. Their efforts were off set by those who preached Christ through love, knowing that Paul was set for the defense of the gospel. "Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill."(Phil. 1:15)
We see many people today who merely exist, having no real purpose in their lives, like a ship with a broken rudder they drift through life without ever seeming to realize that there is an eternal objective. Others live strictly for the riches of this world, giving no thought of eternity or of a coming judgment. Much of what we see today can be attributed to the lack of the gospel being taught to children at home and much of it can be attributed to the "feel good" preachers who teach only the love of God. By leaving out the justness of God they lead people to believe that God is only the God of love and that they have nothing to fear from God if they live in sin. The fool says in his heart that there is no God. Even some believers fail to serve the Lord, they believe in Him but are unwilling to step up in service.
Let me tell you of the difference between forgiveness and consequences, God does forgive our sins when we ask Him for forgiveness and repent of those sins, but, while forgiven, we are not released from the consequences of those same sins and are held accountable for them. That is why some people will say; "well, I prayed for forgiveness but God didn't hear me and I still had to suffer. Wrong, God certainly heard them and if they asked in earnest He forgave their sin, but they still had to pay the consequences for their actions.
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel for he knew that with boldness Christ would be magnified in his body, whether in life or in death.
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for he knew that it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. If any person is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away and all things have become new.
For the believer to live is Christ. Christ is both the source and the purpose of the believers life. Live begins in regeneration and is sustained by the power of God. "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil 1:21)
The believer should be about his Father's business as he awaits either death or Christ's coming.
"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you are am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you may stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." (Phil.1:27) "and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God." (Phil.1:28)
We should work together for the cause of the gospel, presenting the light of Christ for the darkness of this world to see, all the while looking up for the time of redemption draws near...
Please feel free to join us any Wednesday evening at 6:00PM for Bible Study at Spring Hill Baptist Church. For more info, call 936-615-1427. May God bless and keep you...
