A Letter From Prison

Philippians Chapter 1

How amazing that Paul writes such an encouraging letter to the Church of Philippi while in prison. I can guarantee you Paul's jail cell wasn't nearly as nice as though we see now in America. I wonder how many of us, and I specifically ask myself this question, would opt out of the call of spreading the gospel if faced with similar circumstances as Paul was here.

In the first 11 verses Paul goes out of his way to express his love and appreciation for the people who represent the Church of Philippi. Verse 9 speaks volumes to me today, especially with the growing popularity of the emergent and seeker friendly churches who want to remove certain aspects of the gospel. In verse nine Paul says, "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment." My fear is that we are so afraid of offending people with the truth of the gospel that we choose to flatter them with a watered down gospel thinking we are acting in true love. Paul's prayer is specific in that there love would abound more and more , with knowledge and wisdom.

The gospel need not be changed in anyway, which Paul makes crystal clear in his letter to the Church of Galatia (Galatians 1:6-9). Our love for others is best expressed through the gospel of Jesus, not through flattery. Jesus saves those who believe in Him from the wrath of God and for that we should be forever grateful. I nor anyone else has any right to change the gospel we find in the Scriptures. We must always pray for the Holy Spirit to assist us with His knowledge and discernment as we attempt to show our love toward others by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.