The Furtherance of the Gospel – Philippians 1:12
“The Furtherance of the Gospel”
“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the
things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the
furtherance of the gospel.” Philippians 1:12
The Apostle Paul lived with one desire: to know Christ and
to make Him known or to further the Gospel. He said, “Yea, so
have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was
named … ” (Rom. 15:20a). He suffered indescribable
hardships to accomplish this goal. However, he saw these
afflictions as ways to spread the Gospel. He wrote to the
Philippian believers from a Roman prison. How could he
further the Gospel while confined in jail? He won souls there
(see Philemon vs. 10), including members of Caesar’s
household (Phil. 4:22). Also, other believers were
emboldened to preach Christ, seeing the steadfastness of Paul.
“And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my
bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear”
(Phil. 1:14). What are you doing today that would encourage
others to serve God?
Besides the other sacrifices that he made, Paul also gave
up his right to marry, so he could travel and minister without
the encumbrance of a family. He wrote, “Have we not power
to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as
the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” (I Cor. 9:5). What
sacrifices are we making in order to further the Gospel? We
will meet Paul in Heaven. What if he asks about our
involvement in the furtherance of the Gospel? Smile! -R.C.
Prepared by Roger Fulk, from the “Baptist Bread” May 26, 2023 devotional by author DR. REX COBB, Baptist Bible Translators, Bowie, TX. With permission from Tim Green, editor Baptist Bread.
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