Chains: What are they good for? (Ph. 1:12-18)

Greetings in Christ Jesus, Fellow Soldiers.

Despite the mockery of his opponents, Paul has made no defense of himself thus far in the book of Philippians. He starts off by marveling that God's people are slaves of Christ, saints in Christ, and saved by Christ (vv1-2), before expressing profound gratitude at that fact (vv3-7). This identity in Christ binds God's people and even grants them hope amidst suffering. And as Paul suffers, he overflows with love for God's people--not with his own love, but with the affection of Christ Jesus (vv8-10). They are his band of brothers, bought with precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Yet, the mockery of Paul's opponents still stands. They are likely ridiculing him for winding up in prison. What type of ministry was he aiming for? It obviously won't be successful now. He seems to be a failed apostle, as opposed to those still proclaiming Christ with their freedom and rights intact.

But Paul recognizes a fundamental truth: Chains may restrain the sinner, but they proclaim the Gospel. He recognizes right off the bat that rather than detracting from his ministry, Paul's chains have actually served to advance the Gospel (v12). This should blow our minds! We live in a society and culture today that weighs value in terms of freedom. "Unless I have this right or that, we cry, then I am not being valued and my life is made a mockery." But as Paul surrendered his civil rights, God's grace was sufficient as His strength was made manifest in Paul's weakness. And God uses our chains as well. Here's how:

Our chains exalt Christ. According to Paul, the whole imperial guard now knows that his imprisonment is for Christ (v13). The Philippians can certainly relate to this dramatic display of Christ's power, as one of their own number--the Philippian jailor--was converted much the same way (Acts 16). This reality should present many Christians today with a radical paradigm shift--Christianity does not best advance through worldly power, but under it.

While Paul remained free, perhaps his oratorical skills and wisdom would make people marvel at him. But shackled as a criminal, Paul's weakness revealed the beauties of Christ. Why suffer for Christ and even face death for him? Because Christ, the eternal Shepherd of our souls, is worth more than life. Why are approximately 10,000 people coming to Christ a day in the Chinese underground Church? Why do famine-afflicted Malawians give the first fruits of their crops each season to the Church? Because Christ and the spread of His fame is worth it.

It has been noted by certain prominent psychologists that the ever-looming confrontation with death is at the core of many common psychological struggles. That should make sense to us according to our everyday experience. We avoid the thought or mention of death at all costs. We like to feel invincible. We also treat suffering as if there's nothing worse. One of the primary arguments in favor of abortion is that we might be preventing a child from suffering through poverty and lifelong disabilities. But what is there is a purpose behind suffering? As John Piper boldly entitled one of his books, "Don't Waste Your Cancer."

There are worse things than suffering and death. And those worse things center around the eternal suffering and death that belong to the damned. Not only are there worse things, but suffering and death need not scare or intimidate. For Paul--for the Christian--suffering is part of God's holy, wise, and powerful providence and death is not the gaping abyss of damnation, but a portal unto greater life in the heavenly realms with Jesus Christ. Far be it for chains to be a cause of grief! They point the world to the glories of Jesus Christ. And that is a cause worth dying for.

To be continued...