What then? Only that in every way,
whether in pretense
or in truth,
Christ is preached;
and in this I
rejoice,
yes, and will
rejoice.
Philippians 1: 18
We must not
forget Paul was writing as a prisoner in Rome and speaking of the offense of
the cross, he shows that his suffering were reconcilable to the wisdom and
goodness of God. News apparently had
reached him in regards to several of the churches and some of the schismatic
problems, and false teaching problems that were occurring in the churches especially
in his absence. It is interesting to
note that for some, Paul's imprisonment cause them to fall away and teach
another gospel and for others it caused them to be more bold to preach, and then to supply
his lack of service to the Church. The
opening Scripture must be taken in context for these taken as a single proof
text than the proof is not true rather it is false. What do I mean? Some
would take this to say that what does a matter whether or not a person teaches
absolute truth or has other opinions even though those opinions are not
warranted in Scripture but Christ is preached, so it's okay. Is this what Paul is saying? Paul was not addressing here heresy. Paul was addressing those who were preaching
out of selfish ambition and due to that selfish ambition there preaching was
not sincere and fully warranted a Scripture.
This preaching while preaching about Jesus Christ was yet utterly
detestable, abominable, and needed to be addressed because they were preaching
out of envy and contention and this was not bringing the congregants to a place
whereby they were showing love that is the love of Jesus Christ. It is when the truth is not being taught whereby people are led astray even though the name Jesus Christ is being
preached. Paul was being very generous
here and very admirable for he did rejoice that Christ was preached even though
the purposes towards him were unkind.
And this is the context in which the Scripture is to be found: "For I know that this will turn out
for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be
ashamed, but with all boulders as always, so now also Christ will be magnified
in my body, whether by life or by death" (Philippians 1:19 -- 20). The preaching of Jesus Christ is and should
be the joy of all, especially a joy in regards to His kingdom among men. Brothers and sisters, the kingdom of God
already exists, and you are in the kingdom of God if you have been elected by
God to be one of His children. And you
know that you are one of the elected because your whole attitude and life turns
towards God and His son Jesus Christ and the development of a relationship with
Jesus Christ. When preaching is being
taught by truth then there is a tendency to the good for many people, therefore
we ought to rejoice especially when the preaching is exegetical and authentic
and warranted by Scripture. Paul, and
we also, should be able to say what Paul said: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will
mean fruit from my labor; yet what shall I choose I cannot tell. For I am hard -- pressed between the two,
having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more
needful for you" (Philippians 1: 21 -- 24). Most Christians have heard and can recite verse 21, but my
question is very important and that is, is that Scripture true about you or is
it just words? Paul was willing to endure
any abasement or suffering for the honor of Jesus Christ. Are you willing to endure any abasement or
suffering for Jesus Christ? Salvation
is yours, this salvation is also sure, no one can take you out of my hand said Jesus Christ, you are legally in heaven now, and all this is due by the
supply of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and should be a major part of your
prayer and thanksgiving is for this appointment. Prayer of the people is a way in which to bring a supply of the
Holy Spirit to the ministers, to ourselves, to others in the congregation,
whether it be local or far away, to strengthen them for any suffering they may
be having to endure for the preaching of the Gospel. You see our responsibility is not to be successful in this life,
it is not also to accumulate many things as though this is a forever life and
you cannot see that it is temporal. Our
responsibility is to do well in what ever we do and this at the same time to be
demonstrating and manifesting to the world either by actions or word the Gospel. Is it because other people who are not
elected can choose salvation, no! It is
too those who we do not know who are a child of God and yet living outside of
God and need to return to him and they may be you one of those who are
following those who are very eloquent speakers and yet are doing so out of envy
and self ambition causing you or others to also to have self ambition. Return to the truth! Paul was strengthening the Philippians
church so that Christ might be magnified whether by him until his death or by
Christians were ever they may be especially in this letter to the
Philippians. That letters for you as
well. Remember this: all who wish to
live is to live for Christ also holds this fact true that for Christians to die
will be gain, not a temporary gain, rather an ever lasting gain. Death is a great loss to the carnal, worldly
man; he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true
believer it is again, Ford is the end of all his weakness and misery, and the
perfecting his comforts, and accomplishments of his hopes; it delivers him from
all the evils of life and brings to the possession of the chief good.
Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD
(You are
great, and Your name is great in might).
Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?
for this is
Your rightful due.
For among all the wise men of the nations,
and all
their kingdom,
there is none like You.
Jeremiah
10: 6 -- 7
Give time for God
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