Philippians 1:12-19
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Paul’s Joy That Christ Is Preached
12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
I have seen a similar reaction to incarceration. Many mock jailhouse religion. They say it is only an act to portray a rehabilitated soul for the sole purpose of gaining parole. While I’m sure this is true in some cases, there are also cases of those who rejoice about coming to prison because of a legitimate conversation … a sincere relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul’s conversion happened prior to his arriving in prison. His joy came from the opportunity to share the Good News while he was there and from the Good News being spread by others because he was there. That is an awesome picture of prison ministry and an encouragement for all who have this calling. If we only reach one with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we rejoice for that addition to the Kingdom.
Pray about God using you to reach those who are in prison and pray for those who have already responded to God’s call. Pray continually for free access to the prison vineyard and for the lost to come to Christ.
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