Ep 698 – Philippians 1:12-26

There is a huge difference between stubborn resignation and joyful acceptance of one's lot in life. Saying you believe in the sovereignty of God does not mean you particularly like it or submit to it willingly. But for Paul, the circumstances of his life, whether good or bad, were ordained by His loving, all-powerful, and completely-in-control God. And in Philippians 1:12-26, Paul displays his confident trust in God by declaring his contentment with his imprisonment in Rome because he knew that it had resulted in the further spread of the gospel. Paul had longed to visit Rome. Now, he was there. Not in the kind of circumstances he had expected, but he was okay with it. Because he knew God was in control. Rather than focus on the perceived negative conditions surrounding his imprisonment, Paul chose to be motivated to make a difference. He saw his condition as the perfect opportunity to preach the gospel, and to encourage all those churches he had helped to start.