How To Rejoice In Adversity

Philippians 1: 12-18

Paul was in a miserable prison, but he chose to look on the positive aspects of this uncomfortable and painful circumstance. Even though they could have been detrimental to Paul personally, he was instead looking at the advantages to the Gospel.

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 
So that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard and to everyone else, 

Paul's imprisonment in Rome has allowed him to reach the personal Body Guards of the Roman Governor with the Gospel, as well as everyone else in the whole district. 

And that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 

And most of the other Christians who lived in Rome at that time, knowing that Paul was there in the prison, had much more courage to speak out, preaching to others boldly.  

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife but some also from good will; 

He knew that they were preaching with different motives.  

The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel; 

Those preaching out of Love for God and love for Paul, were helping him get the word out, working with him. 

The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 

He also knew that others of them were preaching with selfish motives, because they wanted some of Paul's fame and were envious of his popularity.  

What then? 

So what? 

Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in Truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice.

Paul was glad that Christ was being preached, regardless of the motives of the preachers. He knew that God doesn't demand perfection in His preachers, only faithfulness to the Truth. And if the Truth of Christ was being proclaimed, then he would rejoice. 

And he would continue to rejoice, and not take any of it personally. He was just focused on Christ, not himself. So he could rejoice. 

I wonder how often Christian workers are envious of other Christian workers, and do their jobs just trying to be better than someone else. Well, if the jobs are getting done, then the Kingdom is being promoted; but those workers will lose their rewards for doing it. 

O my Father, I pray for those who think they are your children, but do not have that relationship with You that You want to have with them, they just practice a religion. Father, I think those are the ones most likely to be envious of someone else's following. Please get a hold of them and show them how much You Love them. 

And I pray for all Your lambs, Father, who have not found their way to You yet. They have lost their way. Please send Your workers into Your missionary fields, to share Your great Love for them with them. 

I pray also for all Christians to be prepared for what You have told us what to expect. Please teach us all, Father, to be strong in Your Spirit; to carry out our responsibilities in our families, and in our neighborhoods and in our places of employment. And to be ready to face our enemies with a positive attitude of compassion and boldness, wearing the Armor of God; so that we will be able to stand against them, and when everything is done, to remain standing.

We are Your children, Father. We are Your princes and princesses. And we are also the living stones of Your Temple, and the soldiers in Your Military. Train us and shape us up to be good soldiers to face the battles, so we will learn to be good sons and daughters of the Great King. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!