Some Things Can't Be Chained!

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that seem to present no good thing. In such situations we need to keep in mind God’s promise “...that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ( Romans 8:28). Paul’s assertion was not that all things are good, but that God can work them out for good. We may not always be quick to see it, but if we keep looking we will find the good. You know how I know? First of all God is true to His word! Secondly, I have experienced the fulfillment of that promise in my life. Oh, yes, I wondered and did some struggling, but as I looked I found the good. Sometimes God was simply preparing me for some other task. Other times God was using me as an example for the benefit of others. And sometimes I just needed the challenge to do some growing.

Paul had gone through many challenges during his missionary travels. There is a list of some of them even recorded in his letter to the church at Corinth ( 2 Corinthians 11:23-33). Still, Paul continued to press on with a marvelous attitude and trust in God. One of the many places we glimpse his attitude is in his letter to the church at Philippi. Note what Paul wrote remembering he wrote it while a prisoner.

“(12) I want you to know, brothers, that WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME HAS REALLY SERVED TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL, (13) so that IT HAS BECOME KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE IMPERIAL GUARD AND TO ALL THE REST THAT MY IMPRISONMENT IS FOR CHRIST [that my chains are in Christ (NKJV)]. (14) AND MOST OF THE BROTHERS, HAVING BECOME CONFIDENT IN THE LORD BY MY IMPRISONMENT [confident by my chains (NKJV)], ARE MUCH MORE BOLD TO SPEAK THE WORD WITHOUT FEAR.” ( Philippians 1:12-14 ESV)

Did you hear Paul complaining? No! Did you hear him whine about his ministry being hampered? No! Paul focused with joy on the progress and possibilities that his imprisonment had actually brought about. Isn’t that a marvelous spirit?

In Paul’s letter to Timothy we read…
“(8) Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, (9) for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. BUT THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND [not chained (NJKV)]!” ( 2 Timothy 2:8-9 ESV)

Yes, you could CHAIN THE MAN, BUT NOT THE MESSAGE. Wherever Paul was, whatever his situation, he was an ambassador for Christ -- and others knew it! May we have the same spirit that compels us to not complain, but rather look for the good God can work out in whatever situation we find ourselves. He can do it! Let’s let Him!

Have a great day ALLOWING GOD TO DO HIS WORK THROUGH YOU!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 06/18/1998 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV with NKJV insertions)]

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