SOME PREACH CONTENTION, SOME LOVE

Philippians 1:15-17 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.

How much faith would you have in gospel messages from a person imprisoned, and having a past life that was filled with persecution and murder? Would you question his motives, his sincerity, and his knowledge of God's word? Would you be willing to recommend his bible teaching to your family, friends, and neighbors? Could you, in good conscience, support the spiritual efforts of a prisoner to those outside the prison walls? Isn't this exactly the situation the apostle Paul faced at the time he wrote this epistle to the church at Philippi? Before his conversion, Paul persecuted the church, even consenting to the death of some disciples of Christ. Although now imprisoned for serving, rather that opposing Christ, Paul's ministry, as His apostle, was experiencing a conflicting reception.

There is no doubt that some Christians had a difficult time remaining faithful to the cause of Christ as taught by the apostle Paul. Out of shame and fear of persecution, many forsook him. Demas, Crescens, and Titus, Paul said, hath forsaken me (2 Tim. 4:10). Also, in this chapter, in verse 16a, Paul wrote, at my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. However, because of his faithfulness and his commitment to the cause of Christ, Paul was not dismayed by the world's reaction. The mission for which Christ called him had not been completed. He knew the race still lay before him, and was yet to be finished. Herein were Paul's strength, courage, and determination: Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (2 Tim. 4:17-18).

To those of us that may, at times, be offended by the world; that may become ashamed when ridiculed by others, take note of what Paul told his fellow servant, Timothy: Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God (2 Tim. 1:8). Of his appointment as a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles, Paul continues his defense by saying for the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day (See 2 Tim. 1:11-12). In a like manner, Paul told the churches, at Rome and Corinth, that he was not ashamed of serving his Savior, Jesus Christ nor of the persecution he received for doing so (Rom. 1:16 & 2 Cor. 7:14).

In the lesson text we find two groups of preachers formed, which resulted from Paul's teaching the gospel of Christ while imprisoned in Rome. One group preached Christ of envy and strife ...of contention, not sincerely. Their exact message is not recorded, but their intent was. They wanted to add affliction to my (Paul's) bonds. They pretended to "preach Christ" but, due to their envious desires, their message was devious and insincere. It is evident that these "false teachers" were seeking worldly recognition and personal financial gain. They envied Paul's influence throughout the known world. The influence of Jewish leaders, as well as idolatrous Gentiles, was jeopardized by Paul's message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Indeed, envy and strife breeds contention and insincerity in teaching God's word.

The other group of preachers taught Christ out of good will ...of love. With these preachers, envy and strife were absent, and a sincere love of Christ, and His message of salvation, was very much present. Their motivation to teach Jesus Christ as the Messiah was selfless rather than selfish. They did not seek personal honor and acclaim, but rather the glorification of God. They were unashamed of God, His Son, Jesus Christ, His apostle, Paul, and the true message of salvation. They truly believed the message of Jesus when He said, for whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be shamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).