by …in spite of people!
Philippians 1:15-18
15 “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”
God still saves people regardless of their deceitful methods for winning souls. Now, I’m not talking about changing the gospel but how and why people put the gospel out there to win souls.
Recently, our devotions took us through Philippians Chapter 1 for seven days. Every day had a positive swing on things, which I really appreciated especially since we are bombarded with so much negativity in our lives.
When the Preacher hit the above verses, he was the one who turned it into a positive note and focused on the phrase, “Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice…”
In my studies, I went a bit further and backed up at all the negative phrases prior to Paul’s positive comment. I thought it would be interesting to see how Paul viewed others’ preaching tactics. The below puts it simple but I think by the time one reads through it one can probably think of people, Christians, Pastors, Assistant Pastors that sadly would fit into one of these categories. But stay positive and realize that regardless as to WHY they preach – Christ is being preached and souls are getting saved.
V15-They preach because of:
- Envy – “I want the fame and fortune of Bro. So-n-so, so I’m doing such-n-such to can gain fame and fortune.”
- Strife – “My church is near Bro. So-n-so’s church, so I’m doing such-n-such because it will make our church or me look better.”
- Good will – “I’ll do such-n-such as a good will gesture. It will make me, and my church look better in the community.”
V16-They preach because of:
- Contention – “Bro. so-n-so has done such-n-such to me, and it hurt; so, I’m doing such-n-such to him.”
- Not sincerity – “I’m only doing this because I must continue to look good to those around me.”
- To add affliction – “I’m doing such-n-such just because it will add more affliction to Bro. So-n-so.”
V17-They preach because of:
- Love – Some preach because of their love for Christ.
Regardless of WHY others preach:
- V17-They knew Paul was set to defend the gospel.
- AND
- V18-Paul rejoiced that souls were saved.
So, who was hurt? Not Paul! The people who set out to hurt others maliciously were hurt. Even though Paul is who they set out to hurt.
It cost the wrongdoers a lot of time and money as they connived ways to harm Paul.
All they did was hurt themselves but Paul rejoiced that souls got saved.
So, when we get discouraged about other people’s methods for winning souls, don’t focus on their personalities and methods but focus on the fact that souls are being saved. (If they are truly being saved by God’s Word, if not, then that is another issue.)
However, if people are getting saved, let God handle their heart issue as to WHY they do what they do. In the meantime, we can be like Paul and praise the Lord that souls are being saved.
Let’s think positive – souls are being saved!
