WHEN GOING TO JAIL IS GOOD.

WHEN GOING TO JAIL IS GOOD,

OR

BAD THINGS CAN BE GOOD.

Approximately A.D. 57 the Apostle Paul wrote

to the Church in Rome;

"One of the things I always pray for is the 

opportunity, God willing, to come at last to

see you.  For I long to visit you so I can bring

you some spiritual gift that will help you grow

strong in the Lord.  When we get together, I

want to encourage you in your faith, but I also

want to be encouraged by yours."

(Romans 1:10-12 NLT)

And in the same Epistle a few chapters later

Paul said:

"And we know that God causes everything

to work together for the good of those who 

love God and are called according to his

purpose for them."  

(Romans 8:28 NLT)

 Paul soon had the opportunity to both

see the Christians at Rome and prove the

truth of the above verse.

Just not the way he would have planed.

Paul was arrested in Jerusalem by the Jews

and ended up being sent to Rome as a prisoner.

In approximately A.D. 61 Paul, as a prisoner

in Rome wrote;

"And I want you to know, my dear brothers and 

sisters, that everything that has happened to me

here has helped to spread the Good News.  For

every one here, including the whole palace

guard, knows that I am in chains because of

Christ.  And because of my imprisonment, 

most of the believers here have gained confidence

and boldly speak God's message with out fear."

(Philippians 1:12-14 NLT)

approx. A.D. 61

God used Paul's imprisonment to actually

allow him to go to Rome "on a free trip"

[Pun intended.] and to be able to strengthen

the Church there just as he wanted to.

Remember above Paul wrote about every

thing working for good to those who love God.

Well loving God will put you at odds with the

rest of the world.  But look at what Jesus Christ

the very creator of the world said;

"God blesses you when people mock you 

and persecute you and lie about you and say

all sorts of evil things agains you because you 

are my followers.  Be happy about it!  Be very

glad!  For a great reward awaits you in heaven.

And remember, the ancient prophets were

persecuted in the same way.

(Matthew 5:11,12 NLT)

I prefer to have God's reward over being 

recognized by the world or any reward

it may have to offer.