May 27, 2002

12. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17. But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18. What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.  Philippians 1:12-18

When Paul was put in prison there were those that rose up and began preaching the Gospel boldly.  Some were doing so with an improper motive as he says, ‘supposing to add affliction to my bonds.’  But others began to preach the Gospel sincerely.  Paul says that either way he doesn’t care as long as the Gospel is preached.

It’s not easy to say that if others are taking advantage of a troublesome situation we are in for their own personal advantage that we would not let it bother us.  Even if it appears on the outside that they are doing it for the right reason—like preaching the Word.  Are they doing it because they really want the Word of God preached or is it for some other improper motive?  In Paul’s case there were those that were doing it to make things more difficult for him but he didn’t care.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ was being preached and Paul knew that where the Word of God went out it would accomplish the work of God!

It’s not up to us to worry about other people’s motives.  God is the one who judges people’s hearts.  As long as the work of God continues and the Word of God is preached.  And when we preach the Word, let’s not do so with an improper attitude towards our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  But let’s do so out of a sincere heart to further the work of God.