Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day four)
Paul would never fit into our present day ‘cancel culture’. Rather than rejecting the ones who were preaching Christ with the wrong motives (i.e. – out of envy, selfish ambition, or impure motives), Paul trusted in the Holy Spirit to take the name of Christ and use it for the spread of the Gospel. What seems to be obvious to our human reason or logic can completely change when the Holy Spirit enters the picture. Joseph recognized this truth when his brothers sold him into slavery. “What you meant for evil, God intended for good.” Joseph recognized that God can use any circumstance for His Glory!
Today, we are often very hard on TV preachers, celebrities, politicians or social media influencers who may use the name of Christ but do not believe or live exactly as we do. We need Paul’s perspective so we can rejoice that Christ is proclaimed…our prayers and Christ’s Spirit can use all circumstances for God’s Glory and His purpose.
Thank you Larry for your blog. As I read and reread our reverse( v14-18 in particular) and your comment , it tempered my frustration with the big box prosperity gospel so popular in our culture. Truly if Christ be lifted up He will draw all people to himself, even in spite of the motives behind the messenger, reminding me to reflect on my motives as well.