Paul reported to the Philippians that his being in prison in Rome had actually produced the positive benefit of encouraging more preaching of the gospel. There were, no doubt, some who preached from bad motives, but Paul rejoiced anyway. In fact, he had a reason to rejoice, not only in prison but also in all circumstances, whether positive or negative, in life and even in death.
Jesus’ sayings reveal the meaning of his death on the cross, and some who witnessed it got the message.
Because humans were dead in our sins, the only possible solution was for God to make us alive because of his grace.
From Old Testament times, the Jewish people knew that only God and his Messiah could open the eyes of the blind. However, over their...