The Lifestyle of Grace


Philippians 1:12-18
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice.



There have been several people throughout history who have written letters from prison. The first two who come to mind, (after Paul) are Nelson Mandela and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. While neither of them were deserving of prison they did not let their circumstance dictate their thoughts and actions. As Paul cools his heels in a Roman prison, he still writes words of encouragement and grace to the people of Philippi and to us as well.



Paul’s behavior while imprisoned makes a definite impression on those who were tasked with guarding him. “The whole imperial guard” pays close attention to Paul because he is not behaving as any of their other prisoners. He is still living out his faith and it shows; so much so that he is gaining a reputation among the guard and that reputation is spreading throughout Rome. His influence spreads not because of his words but by the way that he lives. In his letter to the Romans he pens these well-worn words: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28) So through the eyes of faith, Paul is able to see that God’s work continues despite circumstance and that vision of God dictates his behavior with positive outcomes.



Paul also addresses the fact that many other believers have now found the courage to proclaim Christ as Paul’s reputation spreads through the city.



Years earlier a congregation had been founded at Rome. It consisted mostly of gentile converts. After Paul arrived in the city, large numbers of Jews, including several entire synagogues, were also converted to Christianity. The reaction to Paul’s case had produced a positive attitude toward Christianity in Rome, and the Lord was blessing the apostle’s testimony of Christ in a marvelous manner. This gave all the believers in Rome fresh courage to identify themselves publicly as Christians and to share the good news of the gospel with others.

Kuschel, H. J. ©1986. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (p. 25). Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Pub. House.



Paul is even tolerant of those who are preaching Jesus for self-serving reasons. As far as he’s concerned, Christ is being preached and motivations aren’t a concern. That is truly seeing circumstances through the eyes of faith rather than through the eyes of the world. I confess that is rather difficult for me most of time.



Again I am challenged to adjust my attitude and demeanor such that Christ is glorified at all times so that those around me know the He is Lord of my life. Poet Edgar Guest said, “I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.” Paul lived out that idea 2,000 years before Guest wrote these words and we are encouraged to do the same.

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