ChosenRebel's Blog

Thursday is for Discipleship

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.”  —Philippians 1:12-13

Paul writes from prison and addresses the entire church without exceptions (1:1). He assumes they are interested in his situation and he is comforted by their partnership in the gospel with him (1:5). But he is a discipler at heart and he isn’t going to miss an opportunity to direct the saints at Philippi to the mission of God. Notice again what Paul says to encourage the saints: “what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” He knew that even though he was in prison, the news that the gospel was advancing would nurture the faith of the saints

My conclusion?
Paul and the early church lived so that the outcome of their lives would be the advance of the gospel.

Let’s make sure we do as well. It’s what mature spiritual formation does.