An Exceptional Thing

Philippians 1:14 KJV

And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

We have here an exceptional thought and one of the great marvels of faith. Paul's bonds, rather than terrifying the brethren into hiding and seclusion, emboldened them and instilled confidence in them to preach the Word of God.

The enemy of the faith assumed he could suppress the faith of the believer through tactics of 

• Oppression
• Persecution and 
• Violence

Paul had, at one time himself, bought into this thinking and had committed himself to 

• Hunting down
• Capturing and 
• Casting into prison

any he could find of this faith. Far from stopping them, he was himself stopped in his tracks by meeting Jesus Christ. The Lord's presence was so compelling that Paul not only desisted from his persecutions but personally became a promoter of this way.

It is no wonder then that he was not amazed to learn that so many were anxious to take up the cause of Christ in his place.

Neither ought we to be in any amazement that, despite the difficulties of the life set apart for God, there are many who desire and cherish such a life. They have learned that the fascinations of this world are empty and disappointing. They look for

• Something of substance
• Something of true value
• Something of eternal worth

And they have found that, not in religion, but in the living person of Jesus Christ.