Captured by the Gospel
"Now I want you to know, brothers,
that what has happened to me has really
served to advance the gospel."
Philippians 1:12 (NIV)
Last week I was privileged to lead a women's retreat in a study of the book of Philippians. The Apostle Paul's letter to the Church at Philippi is often called "the book of joy" because Paul calls us to a life of joy. Writing from his prison cell in Rome, the great evangelist repeatedly exhorts the Philippian Christians to rejoice in the Lord. In just four short chapters, Paul uses the words joy, gladness, or rejoice almost twenty times. But what is joy and why is it important? How do I get joy and better yet, how can I maintain it?
These are just a few of the questions we asked and answered during our weekend study. We began by using John Piper's definition of joy: "Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the Word and in the world." We also examined some basic joy principles that included the following:
Joy is not the same thing as happiness.
Joy is not dependent on my circumstances.
Joy is a choice; it is also a fight.
Joy is always possible by God's grace.
Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Throughout this little book the Apostle Paul shows us that the key to our joy is not the goodness of our day, but the goodness of our God. Confined to a Roman jail cell, Paul experienced great joy in the midst of intense suffering by keeping his eyes up and his gaze fixed on Christ. In today's verse, Paul confidently states "what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." Most of us read those words and move on to the next verse, but let's think for a moment and ask ourselves, "What HAS happened to Paul?" We know that at the time he wrote this letter, Paul was sitting in a Roman prison cell. Other scriptures tell us that Paul had previously been flogged and received the dreaded 39 lashes, not once but five times. Three times Paul was also beaten with rods. Once he was stoned and left for dead. Paul was also shipwrecked three times and once spent a whole day and night in the ocean. Beyond his physical suffering, Paul was constantly on the move; often in danger; hungry; thirsty; cold; lonely; and bored.(2 Corinthians 11:24-27;2 Timothy 4:9-13)
How amazing is it that Paul would summarize all of that suffering with the words "what has happened to me?" And instead of focusing on his own capture by the Romans, Paul focuses on being captured by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Read the book of Philippians and note the things that brought Paul joy:
Joy of salvation
Joy of a shared partnership with the Philippians
Joy when Christ is proclaimed
Joy in the Philippians' growth and progress in the faith
Joy of obedience
Joy in suffering
Joy in knowing Christ
Joy in gratitude
Joy in contentment
Joy of heaven
Joy in God's grace and strength
Paul's secret to joy in the midst of great suffering is his upward gaze. His eyes are not on his circumstances, his suffering, or his sin. Paul's eyes are UP. His mind and heart are set on things above (Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:2). He has a fixed focus (Philippians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Hebrews 12:2). And Paul is striving for a faithful finish. (Philippians 2:12, 14)
If we want to increase our joy, we must keep our eyes up. "Eyes up" is not just good advice; it's an anchor in any circumstance. Paul challenges each of us when he writes, "Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." (Philippians 4:17)
What adversity has happened to you in your life? How have you experienced joy in the midst of your suffering? Can you, like Paul, honestly say that what has happened to you has really served to advance the gospel? Paul never got over being captured by the gospel. May the same be true of us.
Eyes up with a fixed focus; a firm stand; and a faithful finish!