◄ What Does Philippians 1:15 Mean? ►

Paul had been called as Christ's apostle to the Gentiles and appointed by the Father to be entrusted with the hidden mysteries of the Church and much Church-age doctrine, which is so vital for our spiritual growth today.

Paul was wonderfully used of the Lord to write a significant portion of the New Testament Scriptures and yet throughout his ministry, we discover many individual critics of Paul, and various groups who were openly opposed to his position and authority.

Some were jealous of him and envious of his apostolic appointment, openly opposing him by preaching the gospel of Christ out of envy and strife. In so doing, they were seeking to intensify the bitter pain of Paul's imprisonment in a Roman jail. But despite their opposition and ungodly intention, Paul rejoiced knowing that the gospel of Christ was being spread abroad.

Paul was certainly filled with joy knowing that there were many who were continuing his work and preaching Christ from a sincere love of the Lord and a desire to tell forth the glorious message of salvation by grace through faith in Him, but he also rejoiced over the ministry of those whose motive in preaching was rooted in envy and strife.

There is much 'religious politics' in the Church today, and although it is important that false doctrine is exposed, the attitude that Paul displayed towards these fleshly motivated preachers (whose preaching though doctrinally sound, stemmed from envy, strife and a desire to cause him pain) is a beautiful lesson in humble discipleship and godly submission to the Holy Spirit.

May we like Paul never be downcast by the wrong motives, fleshly manipulations, cruel comments or foolish jealousies of brothers or sisters in Christ whose preaching is rooted in envy or strife. May we never allow wrong motives or fleshly attitudes to influence the calling that God has laid on each one of our lives, rather, let us rejoice that the good news of God is being proclaimed to lost souls who need to hear the glorious gospel of salvation, by grace through faith in Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the work that You have called me to do in this corner of Your vineyard. May I rejoice to see the message of salvation being spread to lost souls and not be downcast by those whose motive may be rooted in envy or bitterness. Rather, I pray that I may be flooded with Your joy that the gospel is being proclaimed. Help me to encourage others to rejoice in the Lord with me, at the wonderful way that so many are hearing the good news of the gospel of salvation. In Jesus' name, AMEN.