“The important
thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is
preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
(Philippians 1:18-19 NIV)
thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is
preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
(Philippians 1:18-19 NIV)
After conversations
with the imperial palace staff, Paul was convinced his case had actually
advanced the Gospel and everyone knew he was a prisoner for Christ. In
addition, his case had inspired some believers to preach Christ. These preached
because they loved Christ and knew Paul was in jail for having defended the
Gospel of Christ.
with the imperial palace staff, Paul was convinced his case had actually
advanced the Gospel and everyone knew he was a prisoner for Christ. In
addition, his case had inspired some believers to preach Christ. These preached
because they loved Christ and knew Paul was in jail for having defended the
Gospel of Christ.
It was true that
others preached with an envious, competitive spirit creating trouble and
disagreement. They were hypocritical and argumentative, spitefully intending to
increase Paul’s suffering. These preached Christ selfishly, only to gain a
reputation and win converts away from Paul, thinking that while he was detained
they could cause trouble for him among the churches.
others preached with an envious, competitive spirit creating trouble and
disagreement. They were hypocritical and argumentative, spitefully intending to
increase Paul’s suffering. These preached Christ selfishly, only to gain a
reputation and win converts away from Paul, thinking that while he was detained
they could cause trouble for him among the churches.
Yet from Paul’s
perspective, a preacher’s motivation and intent doesn’t matter since Christ is
preached. And knowing that Christ was being preached gave him joy. Among 21st
century believers much is said about how everything that happens to us is for
our good. For Paul, what happens to us — good, bad, worse or indifferent — is
all for the purpose of lifting up Christ to the world. Christ being preached
was the one thing that gave Paul joy. And he was convinced that the prayers of
the saints, as well as the Holy Spirit would be the catalyst for his
deliverance.
perspective, a preacher’s motivation and intent doesn’t matter since Christ is
preached. And knowing that Christ was being preached gave him joy. Among 21st
century believers much is said about how everything that happens to us is for
our good. For Paul, what happens to us — good, bad, worse or indifferent — is
all for the purpose of lifting up Christ to the world. Christ being preached
was the one thing that gave Paul joy. And he was convinced that the prayers of
the saints, as well as the Holy Spirit would be the catalyst for his
deliverance.
Paul’s words reveal
his passion for Christ and his confidence in the power of the Gospel. His commitment to God’s purpose
exceeds every example we might find in 21st century Christianity. Paul didn’t
promote an “any message will do” mentality. Instead, his concern was
focused on the preaching of Christ.
his passion for Christ and his confidence in the power of the Gospel. His commitment to God’s purpose
exceeds every example we might find in 21st century Christianity. Paul didn’t
promote an “any message will do” mentality. Instead, his concern was
focused on the preaching of Christ.
Paul wasn’t
concerned about deliverance from his circumstances as much as whether his
circumstances promoted Christ. He wasn’t concerned about defending himself. He
was all about defending Christ. He didn’t care what other preachers said about
him or about themselves. He was concerned about whether they were saying
anything about Christ. And that is the issue: what are we saying about Christ?
concerned about deliverance from his circumstances as much as whether his
circumstances promoted Christ. He wasn’t concerned about defending himself. He
was all about defending Christ. He didn’t care what other preachers said about
him or about themselves. He was concerned about whether they were saying
anything about Christ. And that is the issue: what are we saying about Christ?
Dear Father, thank
you for Christ and his sacrifice on Calvary. Empower us to witness of his grace
and preach his gospel and tell of his love. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
you for Christ and his sacrifice on Calvary. Empower us to witness of his grace
and preach his gospel and tell of his love. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
Share Christ today,