God’s Perspective 上帝的视角

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Dexu Xia

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May 3, 2025, 12:33:56 AM5/3/25

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I want you to know . . . what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Philippians 1:12

Today's Insights False teachers masquerading as apostles in the Corinthian church sought to discredit Paul’s ministry and authority (2 Corinthians 11:1-15). They falsely charged that he wasn’t a true apostle and claimed he was dishonest, lacked official letters of authorization (2:17-3:6), was weak and unimpressive in appearance and speech (10:10), and lacked ecstatic spiritual experiences (12:1-10). In his defense, the apostle highlighted the hardships, imprisonments, and beatings he endured for the gospel (1:8-10; 6:4-10; 11:23-27) and argued that his suffering authenticated his apostleship and ministry (see Acts 9:15-16). In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul told them that his imprisonment had “actually served to advance the gospel” (1:12) by strengthening their faith and emboldening them to proclaim Christ without fear (12-14). Just as Jesus willingly embraced suffering, He can help us possess “the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (2:5) even during suffering and trials.

Today's Devotional In 2018, pastor Tan Flippin had a cycling accident that landed him in the hospital with fractures to his hip. When the doctors ordered a CT scan to check for a concussion, they discovered a large malignant tumor on the front of his brain. The discovery led to a long medical journey with more masses found and extensive treatments performed—including a bone marrow transplant. Flippin believes that “God allowed the accident for my brain tumor to be found.”

Paul told the Philippians that God can use accidents and other adversities for His glory. The apostle was under Roman house arrest, awaiting trial before the emperor Nero for a capital offense. Rather than being sad, Paul rejoiced. How could he be joyful? He counted being “in chains for Christ” (Philippians 1:13) as a privilege (v. 29). Next, looking at his adversity from God’s perspective, Paul said, “What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (v. 12). He used his incarceration as an opportunity to share the gospel with the guards chained to him. Finally, as he preached the good news of Jesus while in bondage, his example encouraged other believers “to proclaim the gospel without fear” (v. 14).

When adversity comes, let’s trust God’s perspective and believe that—even from what’s difficult—He can bring something good.

Reflect & Pray

How did you respond to a recent challenging situation? How can you embrace God’s point of view and see Him working it out for good?

Heavenly Father, please use my challenging moments to bring out Your will in my life. By Marvin Williams

“弟兄们，我愿意你们知道，我所遭遇的事更是叫福音兴旺。”(腓立比书 1:12 )

今日经文腓立比书 1章12-18节

今日心得哥林多教会中伪装成使徒的假教师试图诋毁保罗的事工和权柄（哥林多后书 11:1-15）。他们诬告保罗，说他不是真正的使徒，说他不诚实，缺乏正式的使徒荐书（2:17-3:6），说他气貌不杨，言语粗俗（10:10），缺乏狂喜的属灵体验（12:1-10）。使徒保罗在为自己辩护时，强调了他为福音所忍受的苦难、监禁和殴打（1:8-10；6:4-10；11:23-27），并辩解道，他所受的苦难证实了他的使徒身份和事奉（参见使徒行传 9:15-16）。保罗在写给腓立比教会的信中告诉他们，他的监禁“反而兴旺了福音”（1:12），坚固了众人的信心，并鼓励他们放胆无惧地宣扬基督（12-14节）。正如耶稣甘愿承受苦难一样，祂也能帮助我们即使在苦难和试炼中也能拥有“基督耶稣的心志”（2:5）。

今日灵修 2018年，牧师谭·弗利平遭遇自行车事故，髋部骨折，被送往医院。当医生安排进行CT扫描以检查脑震荡时，他们发现他的前脑有一个很大的恶性肿瘤。这一发现让他开始了漫长的求医之旅，后来发现了更多的肿块，并接受了广泛的治疗，包括骨髓移植。弗利平相信“上帝允许这场事故让我发现了脑瘤。”

保罗告诉腓立比人，上帝可以利用事故和其他逆境来荣耀他。这位使徒被软禁，等待在罗马皇帝尼禄面前接受死罪的审判。保罗非但没有悲伤，反而喜乐。他怎么能喜乐呢？他把“为基督被捆锁”（腓立比书1:13）视为一种特权（29节）。接下来，保罗从上帝的角度看待自己的逆境，他说：“我所遭遇的事更是叫福音兴旺”（12节）。他利用监禁的机会，向与他锁在一起的卫兵分享福音。最后，当保罗在监禁中如此传讲耶稣的福音，他的榜样鼓励了其他信徒“越发放胆地传扬福音”（14节）。

当逆境来临时，让我们信靠上帝的视角，相信，即使在艰难的情况下，祂也能带来美好的事。

反思与祷告你是如何回应最近遇到的挑战的？你如何接受上帝的视角，看看上帝如何将挑战变成益处？

天父，请利用我所经历的挑战，在我的生命中彰显你的旨意。