Good morning. God has one goal in mind for each of us: to see us with Him for eternity. Whatever it takes, God is willing to apply any and every circumstance that will enhance our willingness to say “yes” to Him through the blood of Jesus and accept God’s grace. But oh my, we can be a stubborn bunch! There is nothing new about that.
In the Old Testament we read again and again of God using difficult circumstances to bring His people to a place of brokenness and humility until they returned to Him. That was true of God’s people collectively and it was equally true of individuals God singled out for exceptional actions as His plan of salvation was protected and advanced. God has not, nor will He ever, allow anything to interfere with our opportunity to be saved from our sin and to enjoy His presence in eternity.
The New Testament continues to tell us of that singular purpose of God.
If anyone in the first century would have felt secure for their place in heaven you would think it would have been the apostle Paul. Since that fateful day when Christ Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus, everything we read about him seems to reflect a person who is devout and faithful to Christ in every way.
But Satan never gave up. As the days went by while Paul was imprisoned, the enemy whispered in his ear, hoping to poison his mind and his faith. It never worked, but that doesn’t mean that Paul didn’t struggle.
In the first chapter of his letter to the Philippian church Paul describes the words and actions of some fellow Christians who were using his imprisonment to undermine his work in Christ, and as Paul said, “to afflict me in my imprisonment” Philippians 1:17. However, as long as more attention was being paid to the Good News of Jesus Christ, Paul didn’t care: What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Philippians 1:18
That verse leads us to one of the most courageous and telling passages of scripture that we could ever read about life changing faith: Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:19-21
Please consider with me today that Paul said, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance… Even with his salvation secured by his complete acceptance of God’s grace through Jesus, Paul knew that the fight continued. The enemy continued to pound away. It is equally true for us. But also true for us is Paul’s assurance that by the power of the Spirit and the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we continue to be safe and secure. That is true for today, tomorrow, and forever!
Vern