Paul the apostle was in
prison as he wrote the book of Philippians, and yet, he saw his bonds
as a means for the furtherance of the gospel. He declared to the
Philippian church that the good news of Jesus Christ spread
throughout all the palaces and all other places, and many of Paul's
fellow brothers were more bold to speak the gospel because of what
happened to him. In chapter one and verse fifteen of Philippians,
Paul shares some of the different motives used by these brethren to
share. He wrote:
Some indeed preach
Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
The verse begins, “Some
indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife;” We
can almost picture Paul the apostle as he begins to list the manner
in which some of these brothers share. He affirmed first that they
“indeed preach Christ”
which narrows the topic of their sharing, however their motives were
not as pure as one might think. Some share with “envy”
which is basically “love threatened from within” or when someone
has something desired by another in an evil way. In other words,
these brothers were probably threatened from within by Paul and may
have been delighted at his imprisonment, so they spread the gospel to
make themselves feel better. The second group shared with “strife”
or “contention or wrangling”. Some of those who shared Christ
were debating or battling others with their words and were as those
who loved to fight over the gospel.
The verse goes on to say, “and
some also of good will:” Although
there were those who shared Christ with “envy and
strife”, still others shared
the gospel with a motive of “good will”
which means “kindly intent, benevolence, delight, pleasure,
and satisfaction”. These good hearted brothers were motivated with
a wonderful manner in which to share the word of Jesus Christ with
others.
As we think about this
verse, let's first examine ourselves as to whether we “indeed
preach Christ” with others who surround us. Do we let them know
the good news of Jesus Christ and His saving grace which is available
to everyone who will receive Him? If we do, let us continue. If we do
not, let us begin. Then, if we determine that we do share Christ, let
us examine our motives. Do we share from a position that is filled
with “envy” as though we are threatened from within by
someone else, or do we share with “strife” which is like
we are in a battle every time we share? Perhaps we shall find
ourselves motivated and inspired by “good will” which of
these three seems to be the best choice and is a wonderful attitude
in which to share the gospel. May the Lord Jesus lead us to use these
words of Paul as an encouragement to share the love of Jesus with all
who will listen.
Next
time Paul shares more ways brethren preached the gospel, so read
ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on
the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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