Christians that are Bold for Christ (Philippians 1:14)
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:14)
In verses 13-19 of this chapter, we see four great results that God has brought out of Paul’s sufferings.
-
The gospel is being spread throughout the palace & among the guard (1:13);
-
Other believers are being encouraged and are acting boldly for Christ (1:14);
-
Even Paul’s enemies are preaching Christ (1:15);
-
The believers are being exercised to pray (1:19).
One of the ‘Pauls’ in my life is the missionary martyr Jim Elliot. If you have never read through his journals, you should. Who knows how many missionaries have been inspired to serve Christ by the self-sacrifice of Jim and his four companions (Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint and Roger Youdarin), whose lives expounded Jim’s timeless phrase, ‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose’?
It is not the sight of Christians living in ease and luxury that stirs the heart to follow Christ, to be confident, and to more abundantly dare speak the Word fearlessly: No, it is the fearless servant of Christ, who for Christ’s sake is ready to suffer for the One he loves and follows, it is such a one who stirs my heart to go and do likewise. (GCW) (1)
Paul was a tremendous gospel preacher, and it may be that when he was out preaching the gospel, others were content to stand by the sidelines, intimidated by the thought that they could never be as great as the Apostle Paul. But now Paul is in prison and there is great void left by his absence. This reality no doubt stirred many of the saints to go forth and preach Christ in the apostle’s place. Or perhaps there were other sainta who feared persecution, but as they watched Paul’s steadfast joy in suffering, the power of the Spirit would begin to steel their timid hearts and make them bold for Christ. One by one, those “brethren in the Lord” (i) were made confident in Christ by Paul’s suffering. Perhaps for those of…
… you who are called to suffer for the Gospel. It may seem as if your voice were being hushed in blood and tears; but others are being made bold. Many a young man in that worldly society … is saying, ‘If he dares to stand for God, I too will be a hero’; so that the very effect of your example is to stimulate weaker ones to become confessors and martyrs for Jesus Christ. (FBM) (2)
Everyone’s life has an effect on the lives of others. As a result of Paul’s example, Christians were learning to be bold in Christ. What effect is your life having on the lives of the other Christians around you?
.
.
This article is part of the “Fridays in Philippians” series of synchroblogs.
Footnotes:(i) That is, believers who, like Paul, were submissive to the lordship of Christ.
References:
(1) G. C. Willis, Sacrifices of Joy, pg. 68
(2) F. B. Meyer, Philippians, pg. 39
