“But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.” -Philippians 1:18
I was doing my personal Bible study this morning and this verse hit me “like a ton of bricks”. Paul is writing in the book of Philippians and he is talking about people who are preaching Christ and he mentions how some are doing it for selfish gain, out of jealousy, or to promote themselves. Paul’s reaction in v. 18 is priceless. To Paul the message was being delivered and he didn’t care how it happened.
Here are the things I felt God speaking into my heart about this passage and verse:
- The most important thing is the message of Christ being proclaimed. I need to stop trying to figure out who’s doing it right and who’s doing it wrong…in the words of the old Nike campaign “Just Do It!”
- Don’t judge other people’s motives, God can still use them even if they are selfish.
- I can celebrate the results of Christ being proclaimed even if I don’t like or agree with the one doing the proclaiming.
- God can still use me when I stand up on Sunday morning with a selfish agenda. (I just miss out on the joy of being used.)
