Often times when trouble hits we want to ask ourselves where we went wrong. Point is, we are put in every place for a reason. Christ has made it so that we will always be where He wants us, not necessarily where we want to be. Perspective is something that I have talked about in the past. It is vital that we look to the Cross for reasoning. Paul writes in the first few verses that his imprisonment has helped to advance the Gospel. That is enlightening to me and should be to us all. Perhaps there are times when we are put in a place that does not make sense to us in this world, but serves Christ’s purpose. We need to love Christ and accept His will for our life; after all, isn’t our life supposed to be His?
Paul was so intent on his desire to share the Gospel that even in his imprisonment he was able to share with the imperial guard and to “all the rest” that the reasoning for his imprisonment was because of his service to Christ. It is interesting to me that the Lord would use a society like the Roman’s to allow the Gospel to be spread. First through persecution and then through some being saved. What an amazing thing that the Gospel has survived through everything the world has gone through. Lest we be distraught about all that is happening throughout the world, remember that the Lord is faithful to His chosen people.
There are many that would take the teachings of the Lord and use them for evil. Many of these people have selfish desires, whether is be greed, pride, lust, fame, or any number of selfish things. Such was the case with these men where Paul was imprisoned. They preached the Gospel for personal gain. They wanted Paul to suffer more and they wanted what Paul had in fame. This is common even today with many preachers.
What is interesting here is what Paul states next; “whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I Rejoice.” I am intrigued by this statement; it really caused me to think about what was meant by Paul. It makes me reflect on the salvation that was preached to me. The teaching under which I was saved was no doubt the Gospel. A number of years later that preacher left the church due to an infidelity. Since that time he left his wife, moved from the town, and seems to have regressed in his life. I am not personally in contact with this man anymore, but it seems he preached the Gospel more for personal gain and accolade than to advance the cause of Christ. This is the same type of person Paul is speaking of here. But, we should not fret over this as much as would first be believed. The Gospel was preached! The Lord used this mans bad intentions to save me! Praise God for that.
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