PrintGoing On Or Giving Up (4)
In my last entry I wrote about looking at life through prison bars. John the Baptist found his perspective on life very different when he was in that dungeon as compared to when he preached in the wide open spaces. Yet it occurs to me that the Apostle Paul looked out through the same prison bars and his perspective was very positive.
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly". (Phil 1:12-14 NIV)
Both John and Paul were in prison because of their faithfulness to God. Both faced the very real possibility of execution. Yet for John the situation provoked something akin to a crisis of faith in which he questioned the integrity of his own ministry.
Paul, on the other hand, responded to his imprisonment by affirming positive outcomes – the advance of the gospel. The gospel had penetrated to the highest levels in the palace while many others had been emboldened and empowered in their witness. Obviously, the real issue in this situation was one of attitude. What I constantly need in my daily walk with God is the ability to see things from a kingdom perspective rather than through merely human eyes.
"Lord God, please change the way that I think so that I can see the outworking of your purposes in my life, no matter what I may face. Amen"
