Philippians 1:12-19 (NIV)
Read by: Sarah Ammen
In today’s passage Paul echoes the words of Joseph way back in Genesis chapter 50--that circumstances meant for evil are being used by God for good. We wrestle in our modern minds with how to understand this idea. So often we’ve heard the saying, “Everything happens for a reason,” which implies that maybe God is the one causing the difficult circumstances. But another way to think about it that seems to be more in line with God’s character, is that while he always allows humans to have agency in the world, he never allows evil to have the final word.
Listen now to Philippians 1:12-19.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What word or phrase stood out to you in the passage?
2. Philippi was a Roman colony known for its allegiance to Caesar, so needless to say, there was a lot of resistance to the supposed “good news” of a Jewish King who claimed to be the ruler of the whole universe. What allegiances are threatened by this same gospel in our culture today, in our nation, in our towns, in our own lives? Where is there resistance to the idea that Jesus is Lord and Caesar is not?
3. Is there an area of your life where you feel like things aren’t going the way you had hoped or where grief, disappointment, or just evil seems to have taken charge? Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see how he is at work. Ask him to give you faith to trust that he has not abandoned you.
----------GO DEEPER----------
Bible Project Podcast: New Testament Letters >>
Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Historical Context >>
Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Literary Context >>
Bible Project Video: Philippians >>
----------CONNECT----------
Find an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Start an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Learn More >>
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free