Daily Devotional

I’ve been reading through many of Paul’s letters in the New Testament recently and this passage really caught my attention. I thought about Paul and all the time he spent in prison. Did he loose heart sometimes, wondering why he was in there, or how he was ever going to get out? Or, why didn’t he have an easier life since he was doing the ministry he was called to?

Soon after I read this verse in Philippians I read, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it” Colossians 4:27). Looking at the two passages I realized that Paul had a firm belief in Jesus. His encounter with Jesus was real and his decision to follow Him would not be swayed by his circumstances, nor by the design of others.

I wonder if Paul looked back on his former life and the persecution he had inflicted on Christians and, accepted that as a follower of Jesus it would be natural to expect a life of persecution as well. 2 Timothy 2: 8–10, “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” And 2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” So to him, the life of a believer was the norm.

How would I have responded if that were my expectation when I received Christ as my Savior? But truthfully, if we look at the world as the normal life, and living for Christ, and living for Him is the abnormal but exceptional life, then we might have more of an expectation that by making that decision opposition will come.

So then the words, “take heed,” may have more of an impact. To take heed means to “Give attention to, be sober about, think clearly upon, grasp firmly the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” In relation to beginning a new ministry year (as many ministries are starting back up after summer break) I feel admonished to take heed, don’t make plans lightly, and be prepared for opposition; remembering the goal, the furtherance of the gospel and that “Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (Philippians 1:18b).

Onward Christian Soldiers
Onward Christian soldiers
Marching as to war
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before
Christ the royal Master
Leads against the foe
Forward into battle
See his banner go
Chorus
Onward Christian Soldiers
Marching as to war
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before

^{Public Domain
CCLI Song #2647212 CCLI License *144020}

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.