RSS

Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

COLLATERAL REPAIR

July 2, 2013

"Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then." I've heard this "saying" when something good happens amidst the not so good.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
                                                    - Philippians 1:12-14 TNIV

Paul is in chains. That's not good. He's in chains because he's come up against enemies who don't want him spreading this good news about Jesus, and they are going to put an end to it, if not him. In the meantime, collateral repair is going on. Yes, Paul is unjustly in chains, but that has motivated others to take his place, to share what Christ is doing in their lives. The chains are not stopping the gospel or God.

It isn't good that Paul is in chains. Bad things happen in our lives. But God is always busy about collateral repair, rescue, redemption. Collateral repair: "And because of my chains...[they] have become confident in the Lord..." God is doing that collateral repair in our lives too.

Joyfully,

Dale Patterson