LIVING IN JOY SEES THE GOOD . . . SEIZES THE CHANCE . . . SHARES THE GOSPEL
A farmer began to look at his farm through critical eyes. Everywhere he looked, he saw something wrong. So, he decided to sell his farm and move somewhere else. He contacted a realtor who came out to look things over.
The next day the realtor called to get the farmer’s approval of an ad to run in the newspaper. The ad described the farm as being “in a good location, with a well-maintained house, sturdy barns, lush pasture, a beautiful pond, fertile soil and a great view”. The farmer listened intently then asked the realtor to read it again.
After he heard the realtor’s description of his farm the second time, the farmer exclaimed, “Don’t put that ad in the newspaper. I’ve always wanted a place like that. I think I’ll stay right where I am.”
Often our situation is better than we think! We just need to see the good and seize the opportunity to make the most of it. It’s really a matter of attitude adjustment because bad feelings about ourselves and our situations are nothing more than consequences of negative thinking.
As a person thinks in his or her heart, so is he or she! Since Christ has come into our hearts, we have the power within us to make attitude adjustments; since we have the joy . . . the love of Jesus . . . the peace that surpasses understanding down in our hearts, there is nothing to hinder us from changing the way we look at ourselves and our situations. So, why not turn negatives into positives?
That is exactly what Paul did while living under house arrest awaiting his chance to appear before Caesar to appeal his case – Philippians 1:12-14 . . .
Living in joy, Paul displayed a three-fold positive attitude: His grand attitude enabled him to see his situation - chained to his guard - as a good thing; so, he seized the chance to let God turn his negative situation into a positive outcome.
Paul’s imprisonment had opened the way for preaching the gospel to none other than the finest regiment in the Roman army - the Imperial Guard whose job it was to keep the peace and protect the emperor. Although Paul lived in private quarters while in protective custody, he nevertheless was chained to the wrist of a guard. Thus, Paul’s chains advanced the gospel!
The guardsmen knew why Paul was in prison; many of them were touched by the gospel of Christ; and the very sight of all this gave his coworkers at Philippi renewed courage to preach the gospel and to witness for Christ.
Do you see Romans 8:28 at work here? “In all things, God works for the good of those who love the Lord!” I suggest a prayer for people living in joy:
“God, give us eyes of faith to see - beyond our circumstances . . . personal challenges from God’s perspective . . . that God weaves everything that happens to us into the tapestry of His perfect plan for our lives!”
Paul’s grand attitude enabled him to see the good and seize the chance . . . but there was a second type of adjustment that contributed to sharing the gospel with joy - a gracious attitude – Philippians 1:15-19 . . .
Nothing bothers me more than a critical spirit, and a judgmental attitude, on the part of any Christian!
Yes, for sure, there are always going to be those who do what they do for Christ out of a heart of love. Motive is one of those unknown factors that I must leave where it belongs – in the hands of the Judge of us all.
As a saint of God gifted with the power of discernment, Paul’s assessment of those who preached and taught in the name of Jesus I respect. I believe him – that there were those motivated by their own partisan intent and self-ambition, whose jealousy and hatred of Paul went so far off the deep end as to wish him harm, and yea, even sought him killed. A sad state of affairs indeed!
Nonetheless, in the face of it all, under pressure from all sides, despite his venomous critics, the old apostle steadfastly did not care who among preachers of the gospel received the credit . . . what other preachers said about him or did to discredit him . . . how unfriendly his foes were toward him.
All that mattered to Paul was that Christ be preached, that people’s needs be met, that God’s enemies be defeated.
Couldn’t we learn a lesson or two from this old apostle who knew what he was doing and how to get it done?
All too often we resent it because someone else gained the prominence or prestige which we did not receive . . . we regard a man as an enemy because he expressed some criticism of our methods . . . we think or are led to believe a man can do no good because he does not do things our way.
Be more like Paul who was cleansed of self . . . who elevated preaching the gospel above all personalities . . . who cared more about bringing people into the kingdom of God and ministering to their needs than his own personal comforts. Paul lived in joy, and so can we!
Paul’s grand and gracious attitude derived from a personal encounter with Jesus Christ toward whom he manifested a grateful attitude - Philippians 1:20-21 . . .
The old apostle rejoiced over the preaching of the gospel and its spread to other parts of the world, especially places where he personally had won others to Christ . . . established churches to continue the task of advancing the gospel. Paul did so despite critics who wished him harm. He did so with joy in Christ!
We who belong to Jesus - having committed our way unto Him - continue to spread His love . . . to share the Good News with joy . . . to serve our Lord - even in the face of hardships and the clamor of critics, even in the face of death.
How can it be that we keep on doing these things? Our faith in Christ is settled! Thus, we have in our hearts the peace of God and the joy of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our Savior - the greatest joy anyone could ever hope for! Some folks live for: money - and when they die it all goes to their relatives . . . fame - and when they die they are quickly forgotten . . . power - and when they die they lose their power to someone else . . . material things - and when they die they cannot take it with them. (Did you ever see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer?)
Most if not all of you are more mature than that! You realize that, as Paul told young Timothy, “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out” - (I Timothy 6:7). So be it!
Because: Christ is our all . . . we live for Him . . . we look upon death as an experience for gaining greater joy with our Lord, we do indeed continue to share the gospel with joy, despite our situations and circumstances. Every adversity presents an opportunity to be a witness for Christ!
When Christ is our central focus, we ought to have a grand attitude toward our circumstances . . . a gracious attitude toward our critics . . . a grateful attitude toward our Lord and Savior Jesus.
Folks, our main goal from here on is to magnify Jesus, in word and in deed, with joy in our hearts. After all, “You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day, by the deeds you do and the words you say. Others read what you write, whether faithful and true. Just what IS the gospel according to you?”
Don’t you sometimes feel like Paul – that you are ready to depart this life and go home to be with the Lord, but it occurs to you that, for the sake of loved ones and friends, it might be best to stay awhile, for whatever reason, then you realize that the choice is not yours but God’s, and that it is not given to you to say what you will do, for you can only do what God wills you to do.
Let us pray the prayer Jesus prayed prior to his appointment with destiny: “Father, if it be your will, may this cup (situation) pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done.” Amen.
