PRÉCIS ON BECOMING SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS: DIVINE PRAGMATISM TO BY ALL MEANS HONORABLE ADVANCE TRUTH

SCRIPTURE. “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” – PHILIPPIANS 1:12-14, NKJV

KEY TERM: “CHAINS.” ‘Desmos’ [δεσμούς]: “From a root word meaning, ‘A band, ligament or shackle (of a prisoner); also, an impediment.’” NOTE: “Strong’s Greek 1199 designates every kind of bond, chain, or fetter that restrains movement, whether metal shackles on human limbs or moral-spiritual restraints described figuratively. Across its eighteen occurrences the term ranges from literal irons that confine prisoners to symbolic language for Satanic oppression, apostolic hardship, and eschatological judgment.”

QUOTATION. “And once the Storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the Storm is really over. But one thing is certain. ‘When you come out of the Storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.’” ― HARUKI MURAKAMI, Kafka on the Shore, 2002; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘The Apostle was a prisoner at Rome.’ And to take off the offence of the Cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after the Gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed this best of men!

The Apostle was easy in the midst of all.

‘Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice.’ Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of seeking for it. Our earnest expectation and hope should not be to be honoured of men, or to escape the Cross, but to be upheld amidst temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ, which way He will make us serviceable to His glory, whether by labour or suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to His honour in working for Him, or dying to His honour in suffering for Him.” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

DK’S TAKE. There is in America a cultural euphemism often spoken in the midst of some difficulty: “It’s all good.” I have mentioned before that in all human reality, no, it’s not all “Good,” because much if not most of what happens in the world is in fact, “Not Good.” However, here we encounter a Divine Caveat to that saying.

When fully in Christ Jesus, it is indeed, ‘All Good!’

Here is what I mean. Two passages from Scripture explain it both mysteriously and wondrously.

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive … And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – GENESIS 50:20; ROMANS 8:28, NKJV

THE LESSON. When we come to the place in our Journey with Christ whereby we ‘Know that we know’ that all my ways are not only superintended by Him, but also secured and protected by Him, I experience a transcendent Freedom, Peace and even Joy in the midst of The Storm. When people see that in us, beloved, they are struck by it and will often inquire about it. Thus:

The Witness for our King is often constructed out of our suffering while remaining hopeful in all of it.

The Editors of the Life Application Bible (2022) said it this way: When we speak out for Christ or live faithfully during difficult situations, we encourage others to do the same” (p. 2708). Therefore as God steadies and emboldens us, others are likewise given the example and courage to: ‘Shine in all this present Darkness!’

And Christ is Glorified, which is the entire point. Selah.