Lost Thereupon

Fruits of the Son

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

Phillippians 1:11-13

Remember that old gospel song that some would oft sing. Lets hear it all together now if you will where out of the ivory palaces you have made me glad and all that is followed really does matter. It is a Heavenly perspective from here so on to there. I know, you were probably quite likely wondering what does Paul have to do with this matter. Then again, whys he up with the Father and not down here among men. It seems there is seated in all heavenly places really with Christ and the gospel of which those ministers of his have no right to access thus far. It seems then that in the words of the Savior there also echoes the song of the blessed. Paul here has not far to move without the Father being so named a bond-servant for certain though perhaps what the Lord had on his person is not what concerns us much rather. Instead though, he is traipsed to Heaven and back carrying the cross on his back much as Peter who also denied him found. Then too, there is some lightness to be expressed in the matter not as though Paul had been over-much burdened. As the grown-ups would say God knows where you have been and so too whats to be done with us then. Having this own separate opinion, lets trust Christ with whom the joy has become as our sorrows have all turned back to ash once again. They have all blown away in the light of his Son. As Paul went about, he trust in Christ so bearing his chains that worked out for joy. Though he is not scantily clothed, in want, and in need as some had supposed. Instead, he is got the garment of joy but for apparel with light of the glory and grace on his figure and some other fresh wind. Hush now, it is the sound of praise offered back with the breath as in life or in death. Perhaps I cannot say it often enough. There is some fruits of righteousness too in the mix as Christ on his person. Indeed, it is hard to tell saint from sinner when these thus appear. I know to some of you children it makes no sense rather as them that should matter. I was not exactly the best at the moment to you where anything should nor are you though perhaps in your families. It is in taking the place that you were given and so too a position as that of the just that these things have now entered. So that wherever Paul went was met with the breath of the Lord. Following Jesus then is all that would matter so that wherever could too hear of and rejoice in the Lord. There were many you see that had not yet heard the whole eternal truth of the matter and that of the glorious gospel. Paul here is saying it is in defense of his bonds that these things would work out to the praise of the Son. With a different plainer perspective it is all fallen out in defense of the gospel. As you might have seen there is a wall shaken and it is not just of me. Should anything happen then to Christ that God get the glory. It seems very much those who would listen and to each their own several opinion.

In Bondage or Chains

And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Philippians 1:14-16

It appears as such a strange thing here this really. Just maybe you have seen a lot of strange things in your life. It seems at times like these it is all a part of the natural human condition. Some are just borne into tragic situations or issues and others find themselves running into them later. Perhaps if man had not fallen from his own original condition, the earth too would not be half hardly broken engaged in it is own perpetual struggle, a fight against people. Then again, in case you have not heard it just yet, all creation groans also for it is own release from bondage though hopefully not as long as supposed. It is had to wait an awful long time in the being it seems. Adam too by his disorder did quite a number here on the earth and Eve with the serpent with their differing levels of spiritual growth had not helped matters hardly from here. There is reasons though for my telling you aside from ascribing some original fault in condition. Paul here had faced a similar issue. Sometimes it helps when you were going through something like this to know of others also who have had to struggle as well. Then too, it does not help some people half as much, not when it is become a contest and stuff. In times like these, you were better off it seems making plans of a sort for the running out of the issue. Paul here though as we would been speaking had not any sort of these options open and ready, available too at disposal. It seems then he had a bounty on his head, for those who would hunt him much later, all in the name of seeking the Lord. Nor did he want above all else to be heard very much really, for everyone to follow him, or even in starting his own personal religion. I would understand very much the authorities wanting to shut all that stuff down. Then at times such as these you were tempted in finding fault with the Lord as a person. That is where the issue comes into being as some are out there preaching Christ as a person. Some have seen him very much as being the Lord. Still others know he is good of a sort no matter what comes it is supposed, regardless of Pauls bonds on him rather whether or not they were plainly so visible. Then again, more as well were in the habit of seeing the situatino turn out for good in the hands of the Lord. Others though had grown bitter and missing, as they blamed Christ and his people as though some fault were there in the issue. Still others though wishes to find fault with Paul also, using his absence as merely an excuse for running the church. Still others though knew that even this would turn out for some benefit to be had in affliction though not seeing any just yet of this stuff. Given all this abundant perspective, it is any wonder the little church there was not just left for the wolves but that is what happens when you behold Christ as a person. Then again, it is about time you were seeing his glory as ones who would eventually be meeting up with him later. Small wonder then the issue was not to be found with Christ and his clothes nor even the putting on of immortality as much as supposed. Probably then a good thing really this seeing Christ as a Savior and also his people.

Worry Without Gain

But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Phillippians 1:17-19

In a viewpoint like this of seeing things really it thus invites an eternal perspective. You know, that of eternity come on into the building. Paul did not see ought but Christ in his situation and also the Lord. Then again, there is the other whole setparate issue of doing this for the rest of the people. Sometimes in life there is times when lives are at stake, and if not these then of eternity still to come. Either way, either now or much later, the people it seems were in need of hearing the Lord. Why he should use Paul in all this trials and tribulation also with that much affliction to deliver a message as this is quite beyond me really. It also made no sense to others as well who had not otherwise invited the issue. Regardless though, the Word still was going out regardless whether they thought it was needed or not. Then again you have doubtless heard some of the preachers I was sure referring to the Word as a lion kept in a cage that has not need of anyone defending it, not really. When you open the door and let the lion run free that you see, it is more than quite capable of defending itself no matter what it would be. Paul here is not defending the gospel from the otherwise ravage of wolves, often appearing as large packs of doctrinal errors, but rather of that of yourselves who would have need a good shepherd as much as supposed and none of the hireling later so it is been told. During his time here on earth at pilgrimage central, Jesus Christ told of the hireling fleeing who would run in with wolves. The Good Shepherd though was much the same story who would not gone anywhere but back to himself up in Heaven the very just Judge. Knowing this too, lets practice real quick with this point of view. Paul it seemed had a whole host of doctrinal errors and also the very false teachers who for whatever reason had gotten it twisted. These were running around preaching though that God get the glory. Surely Paul was not sitting around in his chains worrying about whats become of his latest empire or kingdom and stuff. He was not even plotting his latest and greatest breakout from there. Other people though are much the same sort, as you would often see from the takeover the market and whatever else really. It is though a perspective of seeing Christ as the focus rather than the issue itself it is certain. Upon seeing this and knowing too for the defense of the glory, the Word had gone forth of a sort. Paul upon seeing this also rejoiced. It appeared then that all mans rebellion and plans had turned out for good in the Masters own hands. Though Paul was very much still facing an issue, he could take some comfort in this knowing that Christ would be honored and then. In his bonds or not it is told, the deliverance would soon to be come from the Lord. Then too, for the moment, there is the supply of the Spirit, the witness of prayer, and some hope on the journey. Having borne out in mind this eternal perspective, lets too continue to hope and better still just to trust in the Lord.

Unknown Things on After

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

Phillippians 1:20-22

I do not know about you, but I find things most startling seen in this text. Just maybe you had not heard yet of the overwhelming purpose of God. I was sure some of you have, perhaps more than a few, heard the grown people talk about it much rather. Though if you have not, and continue to only hear complaintamous central, it is very much time to get yourself another perspective or not if not a few other companions so far. By that I mean simply those with whom you spend a lot of your time and attention. Paul says he spent all the time in his body with none but the Lord. It is probably that afforded him another perspective. As the text says, he is got expectation and hope in the mix. Would not you know it though, it is not just hope to an end or expectation that one day will happen. You and I expect a lot of things in this life and end up being let down time and again. Pauls hope here is sure and certain because it very much rests with the Lord. In fact, should the situation not turn out the way he wishes at this point in time, well may the good Lord see fit not to remove him as in the manner of some in the doing. Then too, there is nothing to be ashamed of really should the situation not turn around for him truly. The issue here is not of whether Paul will look good at the end. Rather, the whole crux of the matter is the life of the Lord in the bargain. Paul here doubtless felt ashamed a whole lot of times as he roamed around much as those to whom he preached. He was destitute a whole lot and in need more often with hardly just anyone left out now and again though doubtless he had to ask as one does in want with respect to the clothes. It seems the Lord had come through in the pain and the rain and doubtless with eternity waiting there was much gain as it was not just his life that suffered and died but Christ too with whom he was identified now as we speak. Christ it seemed had such a hold on Paul that nothing could get to him truly from the foes that surround to the darkness so grim. When all else failed, Paul only had to trust back in him. You know, Christ did not just want him to spend his life after the manner of some for the fame and the glory. Rather whether he lived or died, all else was the Lords. His ownership of Paul was so complete that he rejoiced whether in bondage or chains. Instead, in hardship and affliction there was only the overwhelming hope of the Heaven and the Lord who would not let him be truly in no wise ashamed. For is not that what we know hope as worked out by all things that are visible now and again. (Faith - hope makes itself not ashamed) Paul it seemed had one singular focus much rather, the labor of the body to do all things needed for that of the soul.. Though not that his own was at stake. Rather when is faith had been tried, whether in the furnace or in fires of affliction, it was sure to come out not wanting lacking in nothing, all for the praise and the glory. To some looking in who did not know ought of the Savior it must have been abundantly clear from Pauls much speaking and teaching. Then too there is the witness of his life in the midst, as that of the gain with nothing missing or broken and all very much worked out at the end. To some such as these, it must not have made much difference whether looking out or in once again except that to see Paul in a fix judging from his appearance and manner of dress. Clearly if this Savior was not saving much of the body then what of the soul. Though to Paul, he had not to choose but rather to Christ he would suffer as one knowing at the end of the day the Lord rewardeth his servants. Does not he already know with the answer just waiting and those with nothing left to win save Christ in the end. It is a perspective truly to keep or even now to rock you to sleep not as one in lacking the end but rather as With all things provided Christ the very best Friend. Hows that for keeping power for you now, my friends, and also of what he would rather.