Chains For Christ | Devotion for Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 | Read Philippians 1:12–14 | Fernandez, Asha

What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Philippians 1:12

Chuck Colson (1931–2012) was known as former President Richard Nixon’s “hatchet man.” He pled guilty in 1974 to Watergate-related charges. He shocked the entire nation when, in the midst of the political scandal and his following seven-month imprisonment, he declared his newfound faith in Jesus Christ. The Boston Globe wrote, “If Mr. Colson can repent of his sins, there just has to be hope for everybody.” Colson emerged from prison and devoted the rest of his life to serving God.

Throughout Scripture, God works through difficult circumstances to change lives and advance the gospel. That was certainly true in the life of the apostle Paul. He admonished his friends not to despair over what had happened but to recognize God’s divine hand in all circumstances, even unpleasant ones.

Paul had been imprisoned for dissension he had allegedly caused among the Jewish people in Jerusalem. One of the false charges was that he had brought Gentiles into the temple (see Acts 21). Roman guards took him into custody at that time, and Paul was imprisoned for two years. He was transferred to Rome after he appealed to Caesar. He was placed under house arrest (Acts 25). Most scholars believe the book of Philippians was written while Paul was in house arrest in Rome.

Despite being imprisoned, Paul had opportunities to further the message of Jesus Christ. He said that word of who he was and why he was in chains had spread “throughout the whole palace guard” (v. 13) and even beyond. Rather than silence his message, Paul’s detainment made the message spread even further.

Rather than discourage the church, the apostle’s detainment gave Christ’s followers courage. It seemed to give them greater confidence and less fear. What seemed like devastation for the young church—the imprisonment of their key missionary—actually bolstered its effectiveness and power.