Frustration!

“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” Philippians 1:12

LIFE PRISONER!

Like a light beam out of the dungeon comes this cheering message from the apostle Paul in his Roman imprisonment. You may put an eagle in a cage, but he will soon make his way to the highest perch, and there he will spend his enforced leisure looking out toward the sun. You may put a great man in prison and chain him to the floor between armed guards, but his soul remains free; his spirit cannot be imprisoned.

Paul wanted to go to Rome as a preacher, but instead he went as a prisoner! Yes, he could have written a long letter about that experience alone. Instead, he summed it all up as “the things which happened unto me.” The record of these things is given in Acts 21:17–28; 31, beginning with Paul’s illegal arrest in the temple in Jerusalem until when he finally appealed to Caesar (which was the privilege of every Roman citizen), and was sent to Rome—as a prisoner awaiting the trial he had requested before Caesar.

INFECTIOUS CONTAGION!

Yet, we see here the care the apostle takes to prevent their (the brethren) being offended at his sufferings. This, however, as a prisoner at Rome, might be a stumbling block to those who had received the gospel by his ministry. They might be tempted to think, if this doctrine were indeed of God, God would not suffer one who was so active and instrumental in preaching and propagating it to be thrown by the side as a  despised, broken vessel. They might be shy of owning this doctrine, lest they should be involved in the same trouble themselves—a boding evil or omen for the end times? This becomes a vital concern in view of the coming day of Christ!

But the grandeur of Paul’s courage inspired other believers also. Thus, when his voice was muted through imprisonment, they were constrained to proclaim the Gospel boldly in his stead. (Philippians 1:14).

Furthermore, as Paul’s enemies were startled at his sufferings, so his friends, as well, were encouraged by them. “Upright men shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” Job 17:8–9

Paul wrote encouragingly to the Philippians, who were distressed, that what might have appeared as a setback was in reality an important advance. Prison is the last place from which to expect a letter of encouragement, but that is where Paul’s letters to Timothy, Philemon, brethren, friends and churches originated! Not only had the entire Praetorian Honor Guard, in addition, learned of Christ, but the local church had been emboldened to proclaim the gospel openly and fearlessly now. The majority of the brethren were “infected with the contagion of Paul’s heroism” (Rainey in ExpB, p. 52).

PIONEER ADVANCE

To many, all of this too, would have looked like failure, but not to this man with a “single mind,” concerned with sharing Christ and the gospel. We might consider here a lesson taught by the philosopher Blaise Pascal: “The first rule of morality is to think clearly.” Paul did not find his joy in ideal circumstances; he found his joy in winning others to Christ. And if his circumstances promoted the furtherance of the gospel, that was all that mattered! The word “furtherance,” by the way, means “pioneer advance.” It is a Greek military term referring to the army engineers who go before the troops to open the way into new territory (much like the “Seabees” of WW II; The Corps of Engineers today).

“Procope” (Greek: furtherance or advance), furthermore, is from a verb used originally of a pioneer cutting his way through brushwood (Souter, Pocket Lexicon, p. 216). So, instead of finding himself confined as a prisoner, Paul discovered that his circumstances really opened up new areas of ministry! Moreover, the circumstances (Greek: ta kat’ eme) that had befallen Paul had unexpectedly proved to advance the Gospel actively and with power!

But imprisonment never was a matter to be lightly taken, and particularly in the experience of a man like the Apostle Paul. Not only was he a refined, educated, sensitive soul, but he was also an athlete in every fiber of his mind and spirit, a pioneer with expanding horizons, for whom three continents were not enough. Eh—and if America had been discovered before his day, he would in all likelihood have made his way to these shores also, to bring the gospel of Christ. Besides this, although advanced in years (some say age 60), he was still in his prime. And he was needed everywhere! The churches that he had established here and there were young, inexperienced, and bristling with problems.

PRISON BEHAVIOUR

Although zealous and eager to help, the Apostle was “in bonds”—in person, in total frustration, in the presence of a need so great that it must have wrung his heart from day to day. Yet, we do not find him fretting, tearing his hair, rending his clothes, or in ashes—as others. Instead, we find him serenely on top of his troubles and frustrations, having learned from the Lord Jesus Christ the difficult lesson of how to behave in prison. “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11. This contentment does not have the least signs of frustration! Frustration is, in fact, disappointment; meaning “to defeat, balk, or deceive in fulfillment of desire; to defeat (of action, effort, etc.); to undo, destroy, overthrow.” –Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary,” vol. 1, p. 738, Oxford University Press, 1971. Futhermore, “fail to meet the expectations or hope of.” –Merriam Webster Dictionary, Merriam Webster, Inc., 11^th edition, 2004, Springfield, Mass.. USA

Ah—but the same God who used Moses’ rod, Gideon’s pitchers, and David’s sling, used Paul’s chains. Little did the Romans realize that the chains they affixed to his wrists would release Paul instead of bind him! Even as he wrote during a later imprisonment, “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.” 2 Timothy 2:9. He did not complain about his chains; instead he consecrated them to God and asked God to use them for the pioneer advance of the Gospel. And God answered his prayers!

PRISON BARS

Ah—but we, who have never experienced imprisonment can scarcely realize what the apostle Paul endured. We have never known the experience of hearing the prison door clanging shut behind us and then spending hours, days, weeks, months, and years behind locked doors in dark seclusion. But all of us have frustrations, and in many cases these frustrations are not less serious than prison bars! We might be surprised if we knew the frustrations of some of our acquaintances, like that of a man in the grip of an incurable disease, who is unwilling to take the first doctor’s diagnosis, who goes from one physician to another, always to have the same diagnosis and prognosis confirmed. “There is nothing more that we can do; you may have only six months, and perhaps less, to wind up your affairs.” A death sentence!

Such is the case for many more; utterly frustrated with a sickness or conflict of some sort, a relationship, an impending trial, and unable to do a thing about it!

The man with the case of an incurable disease is not unique. All around us people are dying, suffering, or breaking down with seemingly insurmountable gnawing circumstances; tens of thousands every year, because they have not the spiritual defenses and resources to endure or cope with the strains, pressures, and stresses of everyday  living.

SUCCESSES!

Ah—but there is something we sorely need to learn from the Apostle Paul. He had achieved, at the time of his Epistle to the Philippians, several “successes” which point the way for us:

I  PAUL SUCCEEDED IN FORGETTING ABOUT HIS IMPRISONMENT

1. 1. Listen to Him. “I do rejoice and will rejoice,” he said. Four times he refers to his “bonds;” but sixteen times in that brief epistle we read the words “joy,” “rejoice,” “gladness,” and twice the Apostle speaks of “praise,” and “thanksgiving!” Just look at him! There he sits. What for? For the crime of preaching the gospel he is in prison—hounded, persecuted, abused, threatened, rejected by those whom he had come to help! Just as the Son of God had suffered at the hands of those whom He had come to help. Paul does not know whether he will ever see the outside of prison again, whether he will ever walk the street again as a freeman; he does not know what day he might be led to the executioner’s block.

And yet, instead of smoldering in bitterness, he is radiant and serene. From the tone of his letter, one might imagine him a freeman in a lovely garden setting, comfortable, relaxed, and surrounded by loyal friends. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

Thus he writes to the Ephesians out of the same imprisonment, and later in that Epistle he speaks of sitting with Christ in “heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6). So, where was he sitting? In prison!! But that was not his real address. Where he really lived was, as he indicated, “in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

2. Listen to Him Again. “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Can we say that pensively without stuttering? Well, we have not really attained to maturity in our faith until we “can.” We may need that kind of faith before we are through. We have been hearing and seeing over the media (if you have the courage) that in America and other major powers that there is no adequate defense against an atomic attack; the countries are vulnerable and must rely upon deterrents rather than defenses. The only thing they can see to do is to plant enough installations of long-range missiles pointed toward the potential enemy, so that at the pressing of a button they can bring destruction upon half a continent. This would bring desolation to much of the civilized world. If we think long enough and deeply enough upon the harrowing possibilities, it is something to make the blood run cold! Our hope is in God! (Psalm 43).

For the unaware and students of Biblical prophecy, we remember in the past course of history that awe inspiring spectacle in the heavens over New England during the past century when, we are told and read, that it occurred from “two o’clock until broad daylight,” with shooting stars flying in all directions. (November 13, 1833) (Mark 13:25; 24:29; Revelation 6:13; The Great Controversy p. 333–334; New York Journal of Commerce of November 14, 1833). A remarkable fulfillment of prophecy!

Thus was displayed the last of those signs of His coming concerning which Jesus bade His disciples; “when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Matthew 24:33. People were thrown into hysterics, believing that the end of the world had come. A maid-servant in the home of a certain ripe old saint burst in upon this man in his study and shrieked, “The world is coming to an end!” He, in all calmness, turned to her and said, “The world coming to an end? Let it! We can get along without it!” And that is exactly what every one of us will have to do one of these days—we shall have to “get along without it.” (2 Peter 3:10). In the faith of the Apostles, we look toward “a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13. Such was the faith which enabled the apostle Paul to forget about his imprisonment, and even to be joyful in the experience!

II PAUL SUCCEEDED IN DIGNIFYING HIS IMPRISONMENT

1. Whose Prisoner Was He? Paul gives the answer; “. . . my bonds in Christ.” It seemed to draw him nearer to his Lord, thus to dignify his imprisonment. Was he a prisoner of Rome, or of Nero? No! He was “the prisoner of Jesus Christ,” “the prisoner of the Lord” (Ephesians 3:1; ..4:1).

2. Why Was He Here? Was it because of the evil intrigue of his enemies who had hounded and persecuted him and sought to put him to death? No! But for the “furtherance of the gospel.” Why else would his Lord have permitted him to be imprisoned? Paul was saying in all sincerity, “I’m here on business for my King.”

3. Whence Came That Unquenchable Optimism by which he was able to turn a dismal dungeon into a feasting chamber of rejoicing?

     (1) He was convinced—that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. This is what he had written to the Christians in Rome, some years earlier, while he was still in Corinth. The promise is not to the unbelieving who reject the grace of God, but to those “who love God.” Noteworthy also is the stipulation, “all things work together.” Taken separately, these things might have wrought his destruction; but taken together they were for his good.

The medicines which make you well are often compounded of poisons which taken singly would kill you. But, compounded by a skilled physician in the right proportions they make for the healing and restoration of the body. Grievous though some of the Apostle’s experiences were, he knew that the divine sentries would not let a single experience get through to touch him except such as his Lord would coin into his everlasting profit. Thus he knew in advance the outcome of the things that were happening to him. He knew that all would end well. The Apostle Paul was in a dark place in the plot against him, but he knew the outcome in advance, and knew that it would be good.

 (2) He was “joyful in tribulation.” (2 Corinthians 7:4)—because he could see beyond. We may be sure that he did not enjoy tribulation any more than we enjoy it. But he suffered like the Lord Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” Hebrews 12:2. Surely one of the darkest nights this world has ever known must have been the night that Jesus went to Gethsemane. Just before, in the “upper room,” He had declared that He must suffer and die, and that one of the disciples would betray Him; another would deny Him, and all the rest would flee. Then, in the deep gloom of that hour, what does He do? He rises up and leads them in the singing of a “hymn” (Matthew 26:30). A hymn is a song of praise, a “doxology.” It is believed that the hymn which they are most likely to have sung was the 118^th Psalm. This Psalm contains the middle verse of the Bible. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes” (v. 8). How perfectly this was suited to the unworthy behaviour of the disciples in Gethsemane! But the Psalm reaches its climax in the verse, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

III  PAUL SUCCEEDED IN CAPITALIZING HIS IMPRISONMENT

1. In His Imprisonment Paul was determined that “Christ shall be magnified.” And Christ was “magnified.” How perfectly human it would have been for the Apostle to become cynical and bitter! Humanly speaking, he had deserved so much better than he was getting. Instead of a loving response to his sacrificial ministry, he was suffering persecution. And even among professed believers there were “false brethren,” whose behaviour was calculated to “add affliction to his bonds.” But nowhere does his faith shine more brightly than in his imprisonment; nowhere does he bear a more convincing or effective testimony.

2. Through his Imprisonment, Paul Secured a New Congregation. He was not preaching to a church; but he now had, as his congregation, one person at a time, the Imperial Praetorian guardsmen that were set over him. Guard duty entails long, dragging hours without anyone-to-talk–to-anybody-about-anything! Here were these guardsmen, one after another, set over this strange and distinguished prisoner. And he was talking to them. What was he talking about? He was telling them about the Lord Jesus Christ. It seems that, in the aggregate, he must have had a fairly large audience there. And he had the most effective approach there is, as he dealt with them unhurriedly, one by one, man to man, telling them about Jesus. Even professional guards could not resist speaking of this remarkable prisoner and the reason for his imprisonment. Soon the entire city, “all the rest” (American Standard Version) knew that Paul was in chains for the cause of Christ.

Those Roman guardsmen with whom Paul was working, who were probably accustomed to witnessing cruelty and suffering cruelty and inflicting cruelty, were not the likeliest candidates for sainthood. But they were sinners for whom Christ died; and some of the finest saints that ever walked were made out of that kind of raw material. They were not the aristocracy of their generation, but as they came through the experience of the new birth and were born into the household of God, into the family of Christ, they were lifted into the highest aristocracy on earth or in heaven—the sons of God! They are mentioned in the concluding verses of that letter to the Philippians: “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.” Philippians 4:22. So, through his imprisonment, Paul was enabled to reach even into Caesar’s household with the gospel. Incredible!

3. From his Imprisonment Paul Extended his Ministry to the Ends of the Earth. Here he was prompted to write those “imprisonment Epistles” which have blessed millions who have never seen his face or heard his voice. There is not a person among us whose life has not been enriched by the fact that the Apostle was in prison in Rome and there he wrote these Epistles, nearly two thousand years ago.

JUST AS I AM

Charlotte Elliott, 1836 (1789–1871), was a bed-ridden invalid for thirty-seven years, a devout Christian, with a deep longing to do something for her Lord. From her bed of affliction she gave to the world one of the greatest songs ever written. I am sure that if the coming of the Lord should be postponed another thousand years there will never be an invitation song written that will be better, that will say more, and say it with greater force and effect than this invitation hymn. Probably more people have walked down the aisles to confess Christ to the accompaniment of this invitation hymn than all the other invitation hymns put together:

“Just as I am, without one plea

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

“Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”

This expresses the manner and spirit in which all must come who would enter the Kingdom of God—the rich and the poor, the high and the low, the slave and the king. Thank God for the bed-ridden, helpless, frustrating condition out of which Charlotte Elliott gave us this hymn! Among the redeemed in heaven there will doubtless be many who will gratefully testify, “The greatest hymn that ever was written, so far as I am concerned is the hymn that gave me the final prompting to yield my heart to Christ—“Just as I am.”

FIGHT!

What spiritual defenses and what spiritual resources did the Apostle Paul have that we do not have? Exactly none!

What Paul had, we too have or can have: “the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, the girdle of truth, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:13–17). “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Thus it is possible to live with our FRUSTRATIONS, to the glory of God and the blessing of others. Amen <><                                                                                                                                   

John Theodorou

U.S.A.