DAY 3

DAY 3: RADICAL COMMITMENT TO THE GOSPEL

As we’ve already heard, the apostle Paul’s magnificent obsession in life was Jesus Christ. This overflowed into his passion for ‘the gospel’. He starts his letter by thanking the Philippians for their ‘partnership in the gospel’ (1:5), particularly for the way that they have financially supported the ministry.  He then goes on to speak of his passion for the gospel, assessing everything that had happened to him through the lens of how he could please and honour Jesus. Writing from a Roman prison cell, Paul doesn’t complain about his circumstances but instead celebrates that his incarceration has been a catalyst to further the gospel. ‘Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 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 1:12-14. Even when other Christians used Paul’s misfortune as an opportunity to further their own ambitions, he refused to be discouraged and disappointed, ‘It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel.  The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.  But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.’ Philippians 1:15-18. What was the secret to Paul’s joy in the most adverse circumstances? He had died to self! He didn’t care what people thought about him or how they treated him. He simply wanted the gospel to be proclaimed. When we make Jesus our priority, we are less vulnerable to the vagaries of life’s ups and down, and our motivation to share the good news comes from a deep sense of knowing that our ultimate destination is secure, ‘For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.’ Philippians 1:21. Paul went from being someone who persecuted the early church to someone willing to be persecuted for the church, and who eventually gave his life for the sake of the gospel. He truly was a radical disciple!  And he called the Philippians (and us) to the same journey of living lives in a ‘manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… striving together as one for the faith of the gospel’ Philippians 1:27