Bad Things Turned To Good Things

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12).

Jesus told the disciples that in the world they would suffer tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world. The Bible teaches that all who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Our Father purposefully ordains that His people suffer. He takes no delight in our suffering, but He receives glory through the things we faithfully endure for the sake of the gospel. The popular idea in Christianity in America runs counter to this truth. Some present the gospel in a way that leaves the impression that the gospel grants you a free pass from trouble and a ticket to prosperity. A popular television preacher often says, “God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us.” The Bible does not teach this. He may bless us financially or He may not. The point is not whether I have plenty of money or not. Instead, we need to ask is Jesus Christ being exalted; is our Father being glorified?

A. W. Tozer (1897–1963), a preacher of an earlier generation, wrote: “Christ calls men to carry a cross; we call them to have fun in his name. He calls them to forsake the world; we assure them that if they but accept Jesus the world is their oyster. He calls them to suffer; we call them to enjoy all the bourgeois comfort modern civilization affords. He calls them to self-abnegation and death; we call them to spread themselves like green bay trees or perchance even to become stars in a pitiful fifth-rate religious zodiac. He calls them to holiness; we call them to a cheap and tawdry happiness that would have been rejected with scorn by the least of the Stoic philosophers.” Tozer hit the nail on the head, so to speak. The Christian life is the greatest life one could ever hope to live, but don't think it's just one long party -- it's not.

I think the message of Philippians needs to be proclaimed in the day in which we live. Think about Paul’s situation. His God-given ministry is growing; multitudes are being swept into the kingdom by the power of the gospel; churches by the dozens are being planted. Then, while in Jerusalem taking a Jewish vow in the temple, he is seized and falsely accused of teaching contrary to the Law and polluting the temple by bringing in Greeks (Acts 21:27-28). This all came along with a heavy dose of misunderstanding and hearsay (Acts 21:29); these are Satan's favorite weapons.

We read about Paul's misfortunes and think this a tragedy, a terrible turn of events, or even a disaster. Communicating with Paul we might express these feelings, but Paul would quickly set aside any of these sentiments. He told the Philippians, “I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered” (The Message).

May our heavenly Father grant us this kind of heart and passion for His kingdom.

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I hope this encourages you to dive deeper, stay down longer, and come up stronger in our Father's Word. Seasons come and go, but the Word of God never changes. That's why I love to talk about it and get other people excited about reading and studying. Let me know what you think.