Our circumstances and the gospel

Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel...

We know that our lives are founded and centered in the gospel when every circumstance that we go through, good or bad, turns out for the greater progress of the gospel.  In other words, no matter what we are going through, whether we are being "blessed", or are going through trials and hardships in life, it is an opportunity for us to testify of the good news of our Lord.

Paul was in prison.  He was in prison because he was sharing and spreading the gospel.  You would think that his circumstances would have stopped him from sharing.  That's what the Roman officials and Jewish leaders were hoping for.  But that wasn't what happened.  Paul just kept on preaching, probably even to the guards who were assigned to him.  Not only that, his imprisonment emboldened other believers to keep sharing the gospel!  

Why?  The gospel has nothing to do with our circumstances.  Many religions, "spiritual" teachings and philosophies are rooted in our circumstances.  And this, sadly, is what people look for.  Anything to keep their lives blessed and abundant.  The moment this doesn't happen they lose faith in that philosophy or teaching.  Sadly this also happens with those who follow Christ.  If this is the case then they have followed Christ for the wrong reason.  The gospel has nothing to do whether our lives improve or not, whether or not we find what we're looking for, whether we have trials or not.

The good news is about God reconciling us to Himself.  He who was offended by our sinfulness graciously provided the solution by sending us His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins.  This is the first problem of man that we should seek a solution for - not our lifestyle or our problems, but our state before Him.  Because we have offended Him there is a price to pay for that - eternal death.  But the Son of God lovingly and willingly gave His life and paid the penalty for us.  Because of His sacrifice, when we believe in what He did by faith, we are reconciled.  This is the good news!

And no matter what our circumstances are, they should serve as a pathway for the greater progress of the gospel.

If we are "blessed" it's not because we deserve it, but because by His grace we were reconciled to God and now are open to His blessings.

If we have trials or hardships this does not change our love and faith in our Savior, for He has already shown the utmost expression of His love - by dying on the cross for us as payment for our sins.  And we know that these experiences in life are simply God's tools in forming our Christ like character.

Are our circumstances turning out for the greater progress of the gospel?

Why make disciples?

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NASB)

For three years it was all about Jesus.  The disciples walked with Him, listened to His teachings, saw His miraculous signs, and eventually believed that He was the Messiah.  But now He was about to ascend back to His rightful place - at the right hand of the Father.  And He leaves them with a command - go and make disciples of all nations.  Not just their neighbors, or their fellow Jews, but of all nations.  After seeing what Jesus went through - the persecution, the ridicule, and the crucifixion, now they are being commanded to finish the work that He had started.  I don't know about you, but I would be terrified.  And I'm sure, initially, the disciples were terrified, if not for the two statements that "sandwiched" the command to make disciples.

First, Jesus said "all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth".  Now that He had accomplished what He was sent to do Jesus was going back to who He actually was, and still is...the King of heaven and earth.  It was this King who was commanding His disciples to accomplish a task that seemed humanly impossible.  And all they were expected to do was obey.

This is the same King who commands us today to make disciples.  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.  Do we recognize this authority?  Do we realize who is asking us to go and make disciples?  It is the King Himself, our King, the One who died and rose again for our sins, and now lives and reigns forever!

Will we obey our King's command to make disciples?  Will we go wherever He wants us to go?  Will we disciple whom He sends us?  Will we begin with our family, our friends, officemates, classmates?

Next, Jesus ends by saying "I am with you always, even to the end of the age".  Isn't that assuring?  There is nothing more assuring than God telling us that as we obey His command for us to make disciples He will be with us forever.

God does not leave us on our own.  Yes, making disciples is a command.  But He promises that He will be with us, to strengthen us, to give us the wisdom and guidance we need.

All He waits for is our obedience.

Are we making disciples?  Do we realize who is commanding us to do this?  And do we realize the assurance He is giving us that He will be with us until the end of the age as we obey His command to make disciples?