HOW TO HAVE JOY WHILE SHACKLED IN PRISON
Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on November 20, 2024 under AM Bible Study |
AM Bible Study Group: November 20, 2024 from Philippians 1:12-18
Theme: Joy in difficult circumstances comes from keeping our focus on what God is doing in them.
(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).
Philippians is a book about joy. But it’s truly one of the most unusual books about joy ever written. And that’s because of the circumstances that the apostle Paul was under when he wrote it. He was shackled in prison for having done the thing that God had called him to do—that is, to preach the gospel; and he didn’t really know for certain whether he would live or be executed. What’s more, those who should have been caring for him were actually doing what they could to make him feel worse about the circumstances he was in.
It might be easy to write a book about joy while undergoing joyful circumstances. But the end product might not really be so much about actively ‘rejoicing’, but rather more about passively ‘being joyful’. We really don’t need to know how to be joyful in joyful situations—since anyone can do that simply by being in them. Nor is it all that helpful to be told how to bring about perpetually joyful circumstances—since nobody can do that. What we need is to be told how to do what Paul said he was able to do near the end of this letter:
I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content (Philippians 4:11).
Near the very beginning of his letter, he let his readers know—from his own personal experience in prison—one of the reasons why he was able to experience joy in whatever condition he was—even shackled in a prison cell. It was because—in the midst of his very difficult and trying circumstances—he kept his focus on what God was accomplishing in those circumstances. In Philippians 1:12-18—while speaking to a group of Christians who were very concerned for him in his imprisonment—he wrote;
But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice (Philippians 1:12-18).
Note carefully those last few words, “and in this I rejoice”. The “this” that he spoke of involved the things that were happening because of his trial of imprisonment. He didn’t say that “in spite of” his circumstances he would rejoice; but rather that he would rejoice “in” the circumstances themselves. This was a truly victorious and overcoming kind of joy. And it came about because of a disciplined decision on his part—made in the power of Christ—to keep his focus on what God was accomplishing in and through those circumstances.
We ourselves often go through difficult times. They may not be as intense as those that Paul was going through; but they are difficult nevertheless. And in this passage, Paul teaches us something that we desperately need to know: that joy in difficult circumstances comes from keeping our focus on what God is doing in them.
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Now; think of the things that we typically focus on when we encounter difficult circumstances. For example, we often focus on how hard the trial feels. We might call this the “woe is me” focus. Paul could have found a great deal of “woe is me” material to focus on while in that prison cell. He was in shackles. His liberty had been taken away. He was constantly under guard. He was separated from comforts and from the people he loved. He felt as if he had been put on the sidelines of ministry. His future was very uncertain. We really couldn’t blame anyone for having a “woe is me” focus in such circumstances. But a “woe is me” focus neither changes anything nor leads to joy.
Another thing we often do is focus on how bewildered we are that the trial occurred. We might call this the, “why is this happening to me” focus. Paul could easily have fallen into that line of thinking too. After all, he was in prison for having done the very thing that God had called him to do—that is, for preaching the gospel. He wasn’t even sure that he would live to continue doing the work God gave him to do. And again, we would find it hard to blame anyone for feeling this way—especially when they suffered so much for having done God’s will. It doesn’t seem as if such a thing should happen. But this focus also won’t get us anywhere.
Yet another thing we often do is focus on how to make the trial come to an end. We might call this the “how can I get out of this” focus. Sometimes, people do some very harmful things to themselves in an effort to make the pain of trials cease or to experience some temporary relief. Obviously, Paul would have gotten out of this situation if he could. If he had a ‘get out of jail free’ card, he would have used it. And again, we can’t blame someone for wanting to manipulate the situation, or bargain, or negotiate an end to the suffering in some way. But in situations over which we have no control, this kind of focus can’t bring us joy either.
“Woe is me!” “Why is this happening to me?” “How can I get out of this?” Those are the kinds of things that we would naturally focus in on when we’re bound and shackled to a painful and inescapable trial. But consider what Paul himself said, later on in this letter;
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8).
This became Paul’s outlook. He knew that no trial could ever fall upon him that was outside of His heavenly Father’s sovereign control. He was as faithful as he could be to walk in obedience to the Father’s commands; and he knew that—in the context of that obedience—“all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). So; he reminded himself that his imprisonment was no accident. It was—in the plan and purpose of God—a great ‘on purpose’. He disciplined his spirit to keep his focus on the good things that God was doing in his circumstances. And he passed that focus on to his concerned brothers and sisters.
Notice that we experience joy in our circumstances…
1. BY KNOWING HOW GOD IS MAKING HIMSELF KNOWN.
In verses 12-13, Paul wrote; “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ …”
In the original text of Paul’s words to his fellow believers, he started off with the word that’s translated as “to know”. He put a strong emphasis on it. He wanted to make sure that his fellow believers knew—really knew—that the gospel was being advanced in his circumstances—and even as a result of his circumstances.
How was that gospel being advanced? One of the ways was by the fact that he was in constant, continual, forced contact with the palace guard. This spoke of the royal order of guards in the imperial palace of Rome in the service of Caesar. Because Paul was most likely imprisoned in Rome, he was kept in chains under the close supervision of this elite troop of guards. It may have been that those guards were taking turns guarding Paul every few hours or so. And we can be very certain—knowing Paul as we do—that whenever they were with him, he would talk with them about the Lord Jesus. He would tell them why he was there; and about how the Lord Jesus Christ had saved him. They couldn’t get away. They had to listen to this great evangelist. Pretty soon, word got out among them about the remarkable prisoner Paul. They could tell that he was different from all the other prisoners. They could see that he was a godly man who preached a message about a wonderful Person named Jesus. After a while, it became “evident to the whole guard” that his “chains” are “in Christ”. Paul wanted his Philippian brothers and sisters to ‘know’ this.
What’s more, Paul wanted them to know that the same thing was becoming known “to all the rest”. That would include those who were administrating the prison, and those of the imperial offices who were responsible for Paul. In fact, Paul kept a little surprise for his brothers and sisters in Philippi—something that he didn’t tell them until the very end. In 4:22, as he closed his letter, he wrote;
All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household (4:22).
Now; there’s a very important and practical lesson for us to see in the background of all this. And that is that, knowing and trusting that God is working through our difficult circumstances—and knowing that others are watching and learning about the gospel—we need to be very careful not to sabotage the work of God by our unfaithful conduct. We need to so believe in God’s work through our circumstances that we bear a godly, positive witness to those who are being impacted by it. As Paul wrote in 2:14-16;
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me (2:14-16).
So; that’s one way we’re to cultivate an attitude of joy in the midst of trying circumstances—by taking the time to learn and know the ways that God is making Himself known to others. Another way is …
2. BY EMPHASIZING HOW OTHERS ARE BECOMING ENCOURAGED.
Paul had told his Philippian brothers and sisters how God was at work in the prison guard and in others in the royal palace. And now he turned his attention to other Christians who were in Rome. He said in verse 14 “… and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Have you ever stepped into an elevator—being made to stand in a box with a half dozen other people—where no one said a single word? It’s rather strange. But it’s also strange that if you just turn to a couple of people and say hello or make a comment about the weather, suddenly everyone opens up and starts to chat. It’s a strange thing about us; but when it comes to doing something that needs to be done, few of us want to be the first … but we’re glad to be the second. Perhaps when it comes to being willing to do the hard work of expanding the kingdom of Jesus, God has to put it on the heart of some of us to be the first … and thus to encourage a bunch of others to become the second.
Paul said that “most of the brethren in the Lord” in Rome became emboldened to preach the gospel after seeing how Paul suffered for it. They saw Paul’s chains; and yet, somehow, it broke them free of their fear and moved them to preach in Paul’s place. This must have encouraged Paul greatly; and as he focused on how his suffering was becoming a source of encouragement and edification to his brothers and sisters, he rejoiced in it.
It may be that he wanted the Philippian believers also to become emboldened by his suffering. In 1:27-30, he wrote;
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. (1:27-30).
Obviously, when we’re going through a time of trial—a time that we know God has permitted and through which He’s working—it’s important for us to make sure we’re a good source of encouragement to others in it. And when we are, it then becomes a cause for joy to us.
Now; you’ll notice that Paul said “and most of the brethren” became confident. Only “most”. Sadly, not all responded to Paul’s trial with encouragement and goodwill. Some sought to make him miserable. But even that was something that God used. So; Paul went on to show us that he retained an attitude of joy …
3. BY LOOKING AT HOW THE GOSPEL IS BEING ADVANCED.
In verses 15-17, he wrote; “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.” It’s not hard to imagine that some would so love Paul that—in the midst of his imprisonment—they would want to take up the work in his place and proclaim the gospel; helping him as he served time in prison for its defense. It’s truly hard to imagine that some professing Christians would be so cruel as to preach the gospel merely to make him feel bad. But apparently some did.
Perhaps they thought that the gospel was something that Paul had made up; and so, they sought to preach Paul’s message as if it were something they could steal from him. Or it may be that they thought that they could cause further pain to Paul in his imprisonment because his gospel was being spread without him. It may even be that some of these preachers were of the type that Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians—preachers who said of themselves that they were not of Paul, but instead were of Peter, or of Apollos—and that they could rally division against Paul through preaching of the gospel without him. Imagine preaching the gospel out of spite! And yet, he didn’t focus on the spite that was being directed toward him. Instead, he focused on the fact that the gospel—in spite of the ‘spite’—was being preached. In verse 18, he wrote, “What then?” (or, as we might be able to translate his words, “What of it?”, or “Who cares about that?”). He went on to say, “Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”
This reminds me of a dear brother in Christ. He told me how he came to believe the gospel. It was through his unbelieving father who repeatedly mocked the gospel message. He laughed at it, and told his son, “Do you know what those silly Christians believe?” And when his father told him what they believed, he ended up believing it! Nothing—not even animosity against the gospel or toward its preachers—can stop the Holy Spirit from causing the gospel to go forth and change lives! And that’s what Paul focused on.
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So; let’s learn a lesson from Paul’s time in prison—and specifically the joy he had even while shackled in a prison cell. It came, not from focusing on his circumstances, but rather on what his sovereign heavenly Father was doing through those circumstances to advance the kingdom of His Son!
Let’s learn to practice Paul’s habit of focus; and remember that joy in our temporal troubles comes from keeping our focus on the eternal things God is accomplishing through them.
AE
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