Motive II

“Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:15-16 ESV)

Not just love for God, and not just love for neighbor, but love for Paul himself motivated the Christians in Rome to proclaim Christ. Paul declares that it is the knowledge that Paul was in prison for the defense of the gospel and love for Paul that motivated these believers, emboldened them, to proclaim the gospel.

Think about that for a moment. What does the one have to do with the other?

There's nothing like persecution to make us stop and take inventory of what we believe and whether or not it is really worth believing. Anybody can be a Christian when being a Christian is popular. Anybody can give an opinion when that opinion is the popular one. But when being a Christian becomes unpopular, or when being a Christian can get you thrown in prison or even killed, then we stop and count the cost and make decisions about whether or not Christ is actually worth it. At this point many just stop being Christians. 

When the gospel is popular then telling the good news actually can make us beloved. But when the gospel message becomes unpopular or even hated then we have to ask ourselves whether it is really worth telling. When speaking about Christ can get us thrown in prison or even killed, then only those of us who really believe the message and are sold on its value will still proclaim it.

And that's where Paul finds himself. To him the message must be proclaimed at any cost. Think about it. Everyone in the whole Imperial Guard, and presumably in Caesar's own household as well, knows that Paul is imprisoned "for Christ." The fact that Paul is willing to suffer imprisonment for Christ is a powerful witness to the truth and value of Christ. Anyone can make a truth claim, but Paul is willing to die for his. That's powerful stuff--not just for unbelieving Romans, but for believing ones as well. His testimony of faithfulness through persecution speaks volumes about the value of his message to unbelievers and believers alike. No wonder his imprisonment has emboldened so many to preach Christ!

And there are some of the more timid brethren who, for one reason or another, may have otherwise remained silent who will now speak up about their faith. Why? Out of love for Paul himself. How can they watch him suffer for what they, too, claim to believe and not take up his cause? So, seeing his faith and faithfulness, they add their voices and thus add credence to his faith and message.

In the news almost daily we hear of fellow Christians around the world who are suffering for their faith. They speak a different language, they wear different clothes, they have funny-sounding names, but they worship and love the same Christ. They are brothers and sisters. Men are beheaded. Women and children are raped and sold into slavery. Whole villages are plundered and pillaged and burned, hundreds and thousands are murdered for the crime of being Christians. How shall we love them? How shall we show our fidelity to their cause? Seeing them martyred for their faith, do we dare remain timid about ours? It is time to speak. It is time to be bold. It is time to proclaim Christ no matter the cost. Love for Christ, love for the world, and love for the persecuted Church demands it.

Motive

“Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:15-16 ESV)

The motive for proclaiming Christ is love--love for Christ and love for our neighbor. The best way to fulfill the Royal Law is to proclaim Jesus.

The Royal Law is so-called because it is the Law given by our King. James coined the phrase in his epistle (James 2:8), calling it the Royal Law because it was emphasized by Jesus himself. Witness this passage from Mark's Gospel:

“And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” “Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31 ESV)

The Royal Law should be our motive in all that we do. It should shape our thinking about our lives, our purpose. It should dictate how we interact with the world around us. Love for God and neighbor should be our most compelling feature, our distinguishing trait.

We cannot genuinely love God without loving what he loves and purposing what he purposes. We cannot say we are passionate about God until we are passionate about what he is passionate about. To love God is to be passionate about his glory in Jesus Christ. To love God is to wish to see Jesus honored and exalted above all else. We cannot love God without proclaiming Christ to all who will listen. Do we love God? Then we must speak.

Neither can we claim to love our neighbor and be silent about the one who left heaven to save our neighbor from destruction. Sin destroys, but Christ is the sin-destroyer. When Paul says that some preached Christ "out of love" he was pointing out that love for our neighbor compels us to tell him about the only one who can rescue him from eternal calamity. The best thing we can ever do for anyone is point him to Christ.

Love is not always easy. Sometimes love requires us to do and say things that others do not like. Sometimes love is tough, hard to take. But genuine love speaks the truth and is honest about our needs. If we are to love our neighbor we have to be honest about sin, about God's holiness, about the destructive nature of sin, about the cross and what it took to save a fallen race. We have to be willing to point out things that the world does not like to hear. Sometimes love for God means offending fallen men. If the truth offends then we must side with the truth anyway. Love for our neighbor requires us to tell him the truth even if he does not want to hear it.

This is not a license to be rude or divisive. It is simply pointing out that some of what Christ claimed and preached was considered rude and divisive even by the people who heard his message in his day. Preach it anyway.

Lord, help us today to love you and love our neighbor so much that we cannot help but proclaim the wonderful news of the God who came down, became one of us, that he might save us. Help us to love so much that we will not be afraid to tell the truth of Christ even if it offends hardened ears. May love motivate us.

Ambition

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. . . The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. (Philippians 1:15, 17 ESV)

Search the New Testament from cover to cover and you will never find ambition mentioned as a virtue. Never. Not once. You will find ambition mentioned, however, just not in a good light. The expression is usually 'selfish ambition' and Paul references it above.

What is wrong with ambition, you might say. Isn't ambition a desirable trait?

It is, perhaps, in our culture, but that's because we associate ambition with hard work, planning, goals, and achieving something worthwhile. All of these are virtues. The ambition spoken against in the Bible, however, has a key element which is not virtuous. That element is self.

And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, . . . (Jeremiah 45:5a ESV)

We do not belong to ourselves, we belong to God. We do not seek our own glory, we seek God's glory. We do not live our life, we lose our life to follow Him. To be a disciple of Christ means to leave all self, indeed forsake self, to follow Christ. Self-ambition has no place in this scheme.

Some in Rome were preaching Christ for selfish ambition. Their motive was their own glory, their own promotion, their own gain. They were in it for what they could get out of it--because they thought it would benefit them. These, Paul said, were not sincerely preaching Christ, rather they did so hoping to add affliction to Paul in his imprisonment.

It probably went something like this. We know from internal evidence that there were likely divisions within the church(es) of Rome. If those divisions were anything like the Church of Corinth then they may have centered on personalities. Paul called the Corinthians 'carnal' for having such factions in their midst. If the same was true at Rome then perhaps there were some who were opposed to Paul because they preferred their own favorite personality--maybe Peter or Apollos or some other. Perhaps some of these were so carnal and selfish that they saw the dual opportunity of promoting themselves by preaching Christ in such a way as to make themselves look bolder, more spiritual, and get Paul in more trouble all at the same time. This would fit the description of preaching for "envy" and "rivalry".

Before we consider Paul's reaction to this I want us to pause and look in the mirror. I want us to ask ourselves some tough questions. Why do we do what we do? What is our motive? Do we serve Christ just to look good? Do we work in the church so others will praise our 'self-sacrifice'? Do we do it for the praise of men? Do we give so that others will see us giving and think more highly of us? Are we in ministry for what we can get out of it? Are we followers of Jesus because we believe that there is personal success to be won by following this path? Are we in it for the praise of men? The promotion? The prestige? Or do we only seek God's glory?

Only you can answer these questions. I hope you will answer them honestly.

Confident

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:14 ESV)

There is a church in Rome. How it got there we are not sure. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, did not start it, for when he wrote his great Epistle to the Romans he makes it obvious that he had never been there. Though no one is certain, there is evidence that perhaps some of those Jews saved on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) took the gospel back home to Rome with them. Luke reports that Jews from Rome were present that day and heard the gospel. Another possibility is that God used the persecution centered around Saul of Tarsus in Acts 8 and the subsequent scattering of the Church to spread the gospel to Rome.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. (Acts 8:4 KJV)

Back and forth interaction between Jerusalem and Rome among the Jews was common, so perhaps some of those "scattered abroad" wound up there.

There is also a tradition that Peter went to Rome and founded that church, but not a lot of biblical evidence to support it. There are historical references to both Peter and Paul founding the church and we know for sure that Peter was there at a later time, as was Paul, but no evidence (other than the tradition) that Peter was there prior to Paul. There is, however, this mysterious reference in Acts 12:

But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. (Acts 12:17 ESV)

We don't see or here from Peter again until Acts 15 so the possibility remains that the mysterious "another place" was Rome.

Though there is uncertainty about the origins of the church at Rome, it is certain that a church was there and that this church was aware of Paul's imprisonment and conversant with him. They witnessed his witness and were emboldened by it. If Paul could display a holy boldness for the gospel in his circumstances then so could they.

Let's admit it. It can be a frightening thing to speak up for Christ in a fallen world. This world hates Christians and their message because it hates Christ. The exclusive and audacious claims made by Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospels are scandalous to the ears of the unbelieving. The gospel of Jesus is offensive to those who hate God. Stand for what Jesus stood for, believe what Jesus said, preach what Jesus said to preach and you will be hated.

 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12 ESV) (emphasis mine)

Be blessed. Speak up for Christ anyway. Don't be afraid. The Lord is with you. He has called you by his grace. He has purposed your life. He has given you a mind and a mouth and a faith and an opportunity. Speak. You're not alone.

All the Rest

so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. (Philippians 1:13 ESV)

Who are the important people in our culture? Politicians? Celebrities? Doctors? Lawyers? Whom do you esteem most highly? We live in an age when everyone wants their moment in the sun. Everyone wants to be in the limelight. Social media has made celebrities out of the most unlikely, and sometimes the most unseemly, people. Fame--everyone seems to want it, or at least to be associated with it.

If we were to assume that this is just the old human nature in the midst of a new era of technology we would probably be close to the target. People have always longed for notoriety or to be associated or affiliated with notorious people. Nowadays they just have easier access to that. What is sad, though, is when the Church falls into this trap.

Somehow, somewhere, some of us have gotten the idea that it is of vital importance that we have some famous name associated with our cause--as if the name of Jesus Christ is not enough. We long to see celebrities become Christians as if having a 'celebrity' in the Church will somehow legitimize our cause.

It works that way on a local level as well. For some reason we think that if a prominent doctor or lawyer or other citizen of the community is a member of our church that gives our message and ministry more credibility than it would have otherwise. But what about "all the rest"?

You see, when Paul spoke of the advancement of the gospel, he noted, as proof of that assertion, that it had "become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that" his imprisonment was for Christ. Are we as concerned about all the rest as we are about the prominent ones?

When John the Baptist was at the end of his life and facing death by execution he sent a couple of his disciples to Jesus to double-check and make sure that Jesus was the One. (Doesn't it give you comfort on some level to know that even the greatest of saints had their moments of doubt?) Jesus responded to John by pointing out the things that had been the hallmarks of his ministry, things that demonstrated that he was fulfilling, indeed being, what the prophet Isaiah had said Messiah would be. Here's what he said:

“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Luke 7:22-23 ESV)

It is important that the good news of Christ be shared with everyone. The prominent people in the community, and in the world, should definitely hear it. But it is vitally important that the poor hear it, too.  Not just the world's "successful" people, but the failures, the downtrodden, the victims (and also the victimizers), the people who have nothing to add and nothing to offer, the offscouring of the earth, the so-called dregs of society, all the rest, they especially need to hear the gospel for they are often the ones most ready to receive it.

Do you know to whom Paul preached the gospel? Anyone and everyone who would listen. And whether or not they received it and believed it, they did indeed hear it, and in that God is glorified.

Holy Boldness

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. (Philippians 1:12-13 ESV)

The Praetorian Guard. Caesar's finest. These were the elite forces of Rome. While the Legions were out conquering the world, the Praetorian Guard was home in Rome at Caesar's beck and call. They were his special forces and wielded great political power within the city itself. The Praetorian Guard worked for Caesar, and sometimes even against him. They were formidable--a force to be reckoned with. By some estimates there were as many as ten thousand of these soldiers in Rome at any given time. It is very likely that Paul was chained to one of these soldiers twenty-four hours a day during his imprisonment.

With that in mind let us take a minute to note what Paul says above:  ". . . so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ."

How? How had it become known? How was it that Paul had become the talk of the Praetorian Guard? Who told them that his "imprisonment was for Christ"?

You know the answer to that, now, don't you? Paul told them.

Can you imagine it? Here comes Cassius to work one day. His assignment is to be chained to Paul for twelve hours. He sees his friend Felix who says, "Friend Cassius, you look down. What is on your mind?" 

"Oh, you would not believe it if I told you. It's this Jewish fellow, Paul. I am to be chained to him today and I dread it like summer leaves dread the coming of winter." 

"How so, friend?" says Felix. "Surely it cannot be that bad? Is he that much of a villain?" 

"Oh, worse!" says Cassius. "He is one of those religious fanatics. Always talking about this Jesus whom he claims to be alive even though he also assures me that we Romans put him to death. Crucified him! Can you imagine that? A crucified god! Who would invent such a ridiculous idea and then promote it for worship? Only in the provinces could such foolishness pass itself off as reasonable. The man is mad, I tell you. He claims that this Jesus is still alive, even though he was dead! Have you ever heard such nonsense? I tell you it wearies me to my bones. The man never shuts up about him."

"Indeed I have heard such nonsense. You forget, friend Cassius, that I, too, was chained to him just last week. But you should know this. Though you may deem his message foolishness, there are many who do not. And this Paul is not the only one who claims to have seen this Jewish Messiah alive after he was crucified. Of this I speak the truth. His followers are growing."

"The mob! Psshhtt! The mob will believe anything! They have no sense. You know that! But where are the legitimate followers? Where are the elite members of our guard who have believed? Do you know of any?"

"Certainly. There are some. And everyone, it seems, is talking about it. Just ask anyone who has spent a day or a night with this Paul to tell you why he is imprisoned. Do you know, Cassius, what are the charges against him?"

"Well, why, umm, no, not exactly."

"Just ask him. He'll tell you. His imprisonment is for Christ."

Here we end our little imaginative exercise. We are impressed with the boldness of our little jewish friend, Paul. Would that God would give us a holy boldness to speak up and speak out for Christ that everyone might know for what purpose we are in this world, that we are here for Christ. Whom have you told?

Prisoner For Christ

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. (Philippians 1:12-13 ESV)

What if God loves you but doesn't have a wonderful plan for your life? Or, what if God loves you and his wonderful plan for your life isn't exactly what you would think of as a wonderful life? The gospel call of Jesus and the gospel life lived by his immediate followers did not really resemble the prosperity gospel preached by many of our modern American television or mega-church preachers. Jesus did not come to give us prosperity in the sense that most people think of when they think of prosperity. God's plans for you, though wonderful, may include copious amounts of heartache, grief, and suffering.

Witness the words of Jesus in Luke 9:

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24 ESV)

Jesus called on his would-be followers to deny themselves--their hopes, their dreams, their plans for prosperity--and follow him instead. He told them that if they held onto those hopes and dreams and plans for prosperity then they would lose everything, but that if they were prepared to lose everything then they would find that they had found something of infinite worth.

How valuable is Jesus to you? Is he worth giving up your own hopes for? Is he more valuable than that dream you've been chasing? Is he worth more than a prosperous, successful (in earthly terms) life? He should be, and until he is you will not know what it means to be a genuine follower of Christ, for until you are willing to lose your life for his sake you will never have life in the genuine sense.

Now let's look at Jesus' words to Ananias about Paul when he sent Ananias to Paul to baptize him:

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:15-16 ESV) (emphasis mine)

What if God had chosen you specifically to live a life of suffering for the sake of his name? How would you like that? Would you be okay with that? What if I told you that if you are a Christian that is exactly what God has done?

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV)

God has called us to give up everything for him if need be. God has called us to exchange our lives for his, to trade in our dreams and plans and goals for the life he has chosen for us. And let me tell you this, you will never be happy, never be satisfied until you do. Paul explains that "it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest" that his imprisonment is for Christ. What a testimony!

What is your testimony? Have you given everything to him? Are you willing to lose all to gain Christ? Is the idea of suffering okay as long as you have Jesus along with that suffering? I hope so and I am praying that it is so for you.