Today’s scripture: Philippians 1:12-18 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Keith Phillips):
I was raised in the Conservative Baptist Association, a denomination that broke away from another Baptist denomination because we believed that our understanding of the truth was more faithful to the Bible, and therefore our Christian witness in word and deed was better than theirs. Even as a child I did not understand this, in large part because my great-grandfather had been a pastor among those who were now being labeled as “wrong.”
As I was about to finish seminary, I was told by my denomination that I was not appropriate (good enough?) for pastoral placement. I had to be married and to have a degree from a more conservative seminary. I did not understand this, either. Now, as a hospice chaplain, my ministry is to respect each person’s spirituality. This I understand, for I assure you that mine isn’t perfect either.
In this passage of scripture, Paul is writing from prison. He tells the church at Philippi that, surprisingly, good things are happening because of his imprisonment. Other Christians “dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.” Interestingly enough, “some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry [and] selfish ambition, not sincerely.” But this doesn’t bother Paul. He goes on, “What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.”
You probably know that Paul was not an “anything goes” kind of guy. He makes that clear in writing to the church at Galatia: “there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed” (Galatians 1:7, 8). Paul had no stomach for heresy. But he had full acceptance of a difference in motivation, of style, of personality.
I have often told people that there are different kinds of churches because God, in God’s infinite wisdom, created different kinds of people. And I’ve noticed that not everyone is as nice and civil as I am. If anyone can hear the gospel from some mean, bigoted, hell-fire shouting preacher, thanks be to God! I, with Paul, rejoice.
Thought for today: The important thing is that Christ is preached, grumpily or graciously. The Good News is God’s, not mine; God can take care of it. And, if I’m accepting of others who differ with me, maybe they’ll become accepting of me.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.