Above is a pic of my youngest daughter and me.
My Husband, My brother in Christ
Phriday Philippians: Defending the Gospel
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. --Php 1:7-8
Last Friday I wrote a little blurb on what it means to be a partaker of grace. This time I want to write about what Paul meant when he said, "... since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. ..."
Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Instead of whining about his circumstances, he used it as an opportunity to not only proclaim the Gospel in words, but in actions. We never know how the Lord is going to use our times of affliction for His glory. That's why we can rejoice even in our suffering. What should my earnest expectation be? It is NOT to be honored by men or to somehow flee from taking up the cross the Lord has ordained for me. It should be to bring honor and glory to the Lord no matter what. Whether it be in suffering or diligence, in comfort or in the midst of false accusations, we should live to bring Him honor and speak boldly out of love and without shame the things of Christ.
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer [Greek: apologia] to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" --1 Peter 3:15
We must give a Defense of the Gospel by leaning on Jesus. Apart from Him, our defense becomes man-centered.
According to the dictionary, the term apologetics comes from the Greek apologia, which means "defense" or "answer." Apologetics is the task of defending a particular idea or belief system and answering its critics. The origin of the concept of apologetics lies in the beginnings of Christianity. Between the second and fourth century, a number of Christian teachers wrote defenses of Christianity against pagan critics.
According to the Greek Lexicon, the word confirm or confirmation means to make firm, establish, confirm, make sure.
...the most compelling apologetic argument the believer can make is his godliness. It is our godliness that most clearly demonstrates our other-worldliness...Unfortunately, the practice of apologetics has become an academic enterprise. The Kingdom of God is not advanced by winning a debate, but by losing your life. This is the foolishness of the cross. An a(pologi/a of the hope that is within us (1 Pet 3:15) is a witness to the truthfulness of the gospel-event. It is not a defense of our subjective feelings of hopefulness, but a defense of the objective hope into which we were broght, the living hope which is Christ resurrected from the dead (1 Pet 1:3). If we investigate this text in 1 Peter we are brought to realize that the subject of apologetics arises in the midst of our suffering for righteousness' sake (3:14) and the apologetic of godliness (3:13). It is specifically our patience in suffering for righteousness' sake which bears witness to our eschatological hope (not-yet other-worldliness) as it demonstrates our union with our Saviour (other-worldliness already) who alone truly suffered for righteousness' sake and that with perfect patience. As it is written, "As a lamb led to slaughter He did not open His mouth." And lest we should grow triumphalistic in our apology the imperative is modified by "with gentleness and fear."---Two-Age ApologeticsI will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever;To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.--Psalm 89:1
