| In the New Testament book of Philippians, we have the Apostle Paul writing to all the Christians living in the region of Philippi, or rather, the church of Philippi. He wrote the letter we call the Book of Philippians while he was imprisoned by the Romans, probably in Rome. It’s important to know that because it helps us make sense of the letter, but in particular, for our purposes, this is a little reminder for all of us going forward into a new year, 2024. Paul’s circumstances were not ideal, he was not free, he was in jail. This was a regular part of Paul’s life as a Christian, in and out of jail, and in constant threat from those who wanted to do him harm, sadly, it was harm that came from those he loved the most and wanted saved. The first time Paul was arrested, a demon-possessed slave girl kept following Paul and Silas and shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved” (Acts 16:17). The girl was disruptive and annoying, and finally Paul turned to her and commanded the demon to leave her. The girl’s owners were furious that their source of income through fortunetelling was gone, so they dragged Paul and Silas before the authorities and accused them of causing public riots. The magistrate, going against Roman law, had them beaten and thrown into prison without a trial. Yes, this was the, “Come to Jesus, He will make your life new, He will set you free, and make you whole”… Wow, what the heck! Jail, beatings, trouble! However, Paul’s biblical worldview demanded the perspective we hear going forward in his letter. Here’s what Paul says: Philippians 1:12-14 “And I want you to know this, dear brothers: Everything that has happened to me here been a great boost in getting out the Good News concerning Christ. 13 For everyone around here, including all the soldiers over at the barracks, knows that I am in chains simply because I am a Christian.14 And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here seem to have lost their fear of chains! Somehow my patience has encouraged them, and they have become more and more bold in telling others about Christ.” 1:20-22, “For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that will cause me to be ashamed of myself but that I will always be ready to speak out boldly for Christ while I am going through all these trials here, just as I have in the past; and that I will always be an honor to Christ, whether I live or whether I must die. 21 For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying—well, that’s better yet! 22 But if living will give me more opportunities to win people to Christ, then I really don’t know which is better, to live or die!” This may be hard for some of us to take, because it’s so radical, but Jesus is not an appendage, He’s everything. Let’s leave our old notions of Christianity that demanded very little, and give Jesus our all in 2024. Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Pastor Larry  |
Embracing Change: Lessons from Philippians
