By

Shelby G. Floyd

The apostle Paul was arrested at Jerusalem and he was sent by the governing authorities on a dangerous sea voyage to Rome. The author of the Acts said, “When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him” (Acts 28:16). What was going on during Paul’s two years of imprisonment in Rome?

“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28: 30-31).

Paul wrote the book of Philippians from his prison. From a strict worldly viewpoint, being in prison for no crime seemed to be a bad thing. When Christ is our life, God can take a bad thing and make it a good thing, and can even make it a God thing. Paul had a positive spirit. Because of the prayers of the Philippians for him and the power of the Spirit of Christ that was within him, he believed “what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance” (Philippians 1:19).

How did Paul expect that he would deal with the things that were happening to him? Paul confessed that he eagerly expected and hoped that he would not be ashamed of the gospel and of Christ. He intended to be bold and courageous in exalting and magnifying Christ whether it was by life or death (Philippians 1:20). Paul declared,

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

If Christ is not our life, we are not ready to die. Paul had already died to sin and now Christ was living in him. To the Galatians he said,

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

Let all who have been baptized into Christ rise to walk a new life of joy and focus on living for Christ.

Copyright © 2019 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142