Who is Jesus?
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)
gain/ loss+loss+loss = GAIN!
“Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him” (Philippians 3:7-7)
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12)
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This isn’t a glass half full thing. Paul knows that God is sovereign over all situations- even his imprisonment. And that he’s decided to use every breath in his lungs for the advancement of the gospel.
Jesus says:
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)
Don’t miss the responsibility of a good local church! To equip its people with a growing knowledge of Christ,
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Ephesians 4:14)
And Christ (through this equipping)…when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (v16)
In (Christ) we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11)
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He works all things according to His will. For those in Christ— what comfort! For those outside of Christ— what terror! Run to His protection today!