Paul is still digressing: He is trying to explain that his imprisonment is not a setback, but that that God is still at work. He has argued this in two ways already:
1. Mystery: The way God works in the world is greater than we can grasp - the wonder of the mystery is greater than our suffering.
2. Privilege: Paul sees it as a privilege to be part of God's plan - even in suffering.
And now we come to his third argument: Purpose.
Paul sees the church as the agent of revelation and disclosure making the wisdom of God known to all including "rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms."
Our purpose is to glorify God.
Our purpose is to lift up Jesus Christ as Lord.
Our purpose is to show others that we can approach God with "freedom and confidence."
Some feel that the "God's glory" being the purpose of the universe makes God a narcissist...
And, if God were not completely good, then this accusation would be true BUT because God _is_ completely good, His being glorified is the best thing that could possibly happen to the universe and us.
Paul's imprisonment took the focus off Paul and placed it on Christ alone. Christ, whose grace, love and salvation are not frustrated by prison bars.
Have you thought about God's glory and how it is portrayed in your life - even in your weakness?
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
