May the mumbling commence!
As they grow in their daily walk with Christ, Christians have a knack for rejoicing in all situations. Paul wrote about this Christian knack when he wrote to the Philippian church. Read about the knack from chapter one of Philippians:
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Verses 12-18a)
Paul wrote from prison in Rome – actually it was most often like a type of house arrest. Paul used his situation to evangelize the palace guard and everyone else – the prisoners and whoever Paul might meet. And Paul used the freedoms he had to encourage his Christian brothers and sisters to preach Christ even more courageously and fearlessly than they had in the past. And preaching Christ would take courage and fearlessness. Those preaching Christ Jesus might end up in Paul’s situation!
Regardless of his position of house arrest or imprisonment, Paul rejoiced at the people he met that they might have a saving knowledge of Jesus offered to them. And Paul rejoiced to hear that others who were more free to preach Christ were doing so boldly.
Paul also found out that some of the people were preaching Christ were doing so out of envy and rivalry – maybe these people wanted Paul to suffer more with their preaching and maybe they wanted to prove themselves better evangelists than Paul.
Think about it in today’s situation. In the world of mission and evangelism, we have gross competitions. There’s the Saddleback Church finding their God-given purpose in Silicon Valley. And there’s the Willow Creek Church outside of Chicago. There are many more mega-churches. Do some of these churches seek large numbers out of envy and rivalry? I know some smaller churches wonder… But if they are preaching Christ…
Paul would rejoice – even though their motives might be evil. Christ is still being preached.
And Paul rejoiced to hear that some preached Christ out of goodwill.
Such a knack for rejoicing in the Lord, regardless of circumstance! Christians can rejoice in all circumstances when they can answer the question, “Is anything to hard for the Lord?” with a resounding "No." Our God is above all circumstances. Our God is not contained by our ability to think or reason or dream or imagine. Thank God!
Rejoice!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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