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FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
Philippians 1:12

2 Timothy 2:8-10

 

“…but the Word of God

is not bound.”

 

FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL
 
Many years ago, I chanced upon this noodle stall in Singapore which sells exceptionally delicious noodles. From the first bite, I was won over by its rich flavours and dubbed it a “life-changing wonton mee.” I liked it so much that I soon became an advocate for this stall, introducing it to my friends, and sometimes even offering to bring them there to experience this same gastronomical euphoria. This might seem a little extreme for what is, at the end of the day, just a simple plate of noodles. Yet in some sense, it is a natural thing to want others to share in the same joys that you have and to endeavour to lead others to experience the same.
 
For Paul, his joy was the Gospel. He experienced the life-changing effects of knowing Christ while he was on the road to Damascus. For the rest of his life, his singular goal and mission was for the furtherance of the Gospel, rejoicing in every instance where the Gospel was preached, and people were saved. That is why he wrote (in Phil 1:12-18) to assure the Christians at Philippi that they did not need to be concerned about his current situation in prison, for he was able to see God’s providential hand in ensuring that all things that happened “have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel” (Phil 1:12).
 
Paul rejoiced in his circumstance because, in living for Jesus, he was able to turn what the world perceived to be a bad thing into a wonderful opportunity for Christ. In being chained to a Roman soldier under 24-hour guard (Caesar’s Imperial Guard), he had a superb evangelistic opportunity, so much so that the whole palace was hearing of Christ, and many of Caesar’s household were being converted (Phil 4:22)! Many were hearing his story, his testimony, and about his fervour and zeal for the Lord. They knew that the reason Paul was in bonds was not because of any criminal act, but because of his testimony for the Lord.
 
What a wonderful testimony of one who lived for the furtherance of the Gospel! Do we have the same zeal?
 
THOUGHT: Is there anything more “life-changing” than the Gospel?
PRAYER: May the zeal for the furtherance of the Gospel be my heart’s earnest desire.

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