By Grace Alone

Last night I preached about preaching. Specifically from Philippians 1:15 where Paul says “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.” (ESV). Today I was reading a post from a fellow Oklahoma Pastor Wade Burelson who has been in the spotlight because of issues in the IMB. I have been quietly (though sometimes biting my tongue) following all that has happened to Wade because of the IMB issues.

I think that today’s post was an example of a man preaching not from envy or rivalry but from good will. I recommend all Pastor/Teachers everyone read and adopt the attitude of Wade Burleson’s latest post here: Grace and Truth to You: Warning: This Post Is Not for the Faint of Heart.

Also, we should rejoice as the Apostle Paul does in the fact that we have been called out for such a day as this. ”What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,” (Philippians 1:18, ESV). May we work togther to help and heal our wounded, expose those who are working for selfish gain, and rejoice that this amazing Gospel of the grace of our God is being proclaimed whether in pretense or in truth! 

 

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Christians are sometimes hindrances to the spread of the gospel. Paul says “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.” (Philippians 1:15, ESV). But he goes on and says “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,” (Philippians 1:18, ESV). May we all have this attitude that Paul had in the face of opposition.   

 

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As Christians we should all be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  Eager to do so. We should be seeking ways to be more eager to maintain and it should be something on our minds continually.  This is part of walking in a manner worthy ot the calling in which we have been called. Ephesian 4 starts out in first three verses like this:

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3, ESV)

 Let this become a cornerstone of our Christian lives as we live out the truth of our calling. Peter makes almost the same statement by telling us to ”make our calling and election sure” by practicing the following qualities: “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” (2 Peter 1:5-10, ESV)

 And as each has received a gift - use it to serve one another.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV)

 

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