I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Be Free
Paul wrote the epistle to the Philippians while he was in prison.
Modern Christians in places like Myanmar, China, North Korea, and Afghanistan are being arrested and imprisoned. And as some observe trends even in the USA, imprisonment for Christians is becoming more likely. I do not mention this to make us nervous. But instead, to keep prison-dwelling in perspective.
Paul was unjustly imprisoned, but we do not hear him complain.
Paul’s rights were infringed upon, but we do not hear him complain.
Paul had lost freedom, but we do not hear him complain.
Instead, while in prison, Paul talked about Jesus. Paul bragged about Jesus. Paul sang about Jesus. Paul pointed even guards towards Jesus.
For Paul, that was the freedom that mattered. Not freedom politically, not freedom economically, not freedom artistically… but the freedom Paul knew through Jesus’ grace.
Every situation that surrounds us is a chance to talk about Jesus. Every difficulty we endure is a chance to talk about Jesus. Every blessing we notice is a chance to talk about Jesus.
No matter how bad things might get… no matter how good things might get… freedom in Christ bubbles out of our lips freely. Even if such talk becomes illegal. Even if such talk has costly consequences. Even if such talk brings about the loss of every other freedom that we hold dear.
Fear not, then be free.