Philippians 1:8-14

Pardon me if I may back up to a verse that is not in our section for today and that is verse 6. "He that begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus". If the work of God is real in us there is eternal existence for you as a child of God. Now as to today's verses we have some interesting terms. First of all Paul longed for these Christians from his prison in Rome. We could go back to Acts 16 and see the beginning of this group of believers and see why he would long for them. We now see terms like abounding in love and in knowledge and judgement very useful in a godly life. Next approving things that are excellent, sincerity and not offensive in our life with others. It is easy to have a critical spirit toward our fellow Christians. Paul is not bemoaning the fact that he is a prisoner in Rome. He said it was for the furtherance of the Gospel. It seems how he handled himself in this way made others bold to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. A lesson to me is to uses adverse circumstances in a way that others would be emboldened to live and speak for the Lord Jesus Christ.