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By Dave Havir
BIG SANDY, Texas--If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that some of the instructions and examples in the Bible are hard to follow. I know that this is true about me.
Let me give you an example.
In the first chapter of the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul wrote some verses that are not easy for me to follow.
In this specific instance Paul was not directly giving instructions of what the brethren should do. However, he was writing about what he was trying to do. I am assuming that he hoped that the brethren in Philippi would follow his example.
In verse 18 Paul wrote that he rejoiced whenever he saw or heard Christ being preached. He proceeded to say that he intended to continue to rejoice whenever he saw and heard Christ being preached.
On the surface I would quickly express my agreement with his assessment. Who wouldn't rejoice whenever Christ is preached?
Yet the preceding verses fill in some details that make it harder for me to follow that example.
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Striking contrast Notice the contrast of what Paul wrote in verses 15-18.
It is easy to appreciate people who preach Christ with goodwill, love and truth. But should we really appreciate people who preach Christ in envy, strife, contention and pretense? For the record, I do not believe Paul was promoting the negative behavior. In fact, in other letters he identified this behavior as carnal (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Yet Paul wrote that he rejoiced about the mere fact that Jesus Christ was preached. Do you think you can do that? Really? Ask yourself I have to admit that there are factors that influence me not to rejoice when I hear Christ preached. Let's ask a few questions about clergymen in society. Can you rejoice when you hear a clergyman preach Christ when you know he actively promotes abortion? Can you rejoice when you hear a gay clergyman preach Christ when you know he actively promotes homosexuality? Can you rejoice when you hear a Catholic priest preach Christ when you know that he has sexually abused children? Can you rejoice when you hear the priest's supervisor in the Catholic hierarchy preach Christ when you know that he has put the interests of the hierarchy ahead of the victims of sexual abuse? Let's ask a few questions about clergymen in the Church of God. Can you rejoice when you hear a clergyman in the Church of God preach Christ when you know that he participates in a system that makes himself a cosavior with Jesus Christ? Can you rejoice when you hear a clergyman in the Church of God preach Christ when you know that he is merchandising the flock? Can you rejoice when you hear a clergyman in the Church of God preach Christ when you see him act like Diotrephes? (3 John 9-10). Good examples It is obvious that the lifestyle of preachers affects my appreciation of their preaching. Whether this is right or not, I just don't automatically rejoice when I hear about Christ. I look forward to the resurrection, when I can discuss this matter with Paul. Until then I do not see myself rejoicing every time I hear Christ preached. However, I am happy to say that I see many believers (especially nonordained pillars) who do preach Christ in their lifestyle and in their inspiring words. Thank God that there are believers who are conduits of His light and His love. They magnify God's coming Kingdom in this dark and uncaring world. |
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