Messiah is Being Proclaimed - and in this I Rejoice!

"Some (Praetorian Guard) are proclaiming the Messiah out of envy and strife, but others out of good will. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. The former proclaim Messiah not sincerely, but out of selfishness—expecting to stir up trouble for me in my imprisonment. But what does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in dishonesty or in truth, Messiah is being proclaimed—and in this I rejoice!"

Philippians 1:15-18 TLV

In today's church culture there are so many different and diverse ways that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. One church uses a traditional style while another uses stage lights and a band. One uses a door to door outreach while others purchase a billboard. One focuses on reaching the youth while others reach the elderly. One does every ministry while others only do a few. What would Paul say about our churches today? I love this passage in Philippians. Paul knows that the Gospel is being shared both selflessly and selfishly. He does not mind by which way it is preached. It seems that Paul is beyond his own need for people to share it his way. He just cares that the Truth is preached. When Truth is preached, it doesn't matter how you say it.

Today lean into the Gospel. Rejoice when you hear the name of Jesus proclaimed regardless of the person's motives. Yes that means that the sidewalk preacher saying hell and brimstone is preaching the Gospel. It means that the prosperity church is preaching the Gospel. It means that positive vibes church is preaching the Gospel. It means that the puritans are preaching the Gospel. Whoever claims that "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and only through the Son can you go to the Father," is preaching the Gospel. The Holy Spirit and brothers and sisters in Christ will work out the sanctification of bad theology. Look to the example of Paul in prison as he praised God that the Gospel was being preached!

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Jesus, there are times when I get caught up with too much theology, and I forget that it is the Gospel being preached that is important. Today, I will praise You when I share the Gospel, not my church doctrine. I will praise You when I hear others share the Gospel even if it is different than my own approach. I will take the actions and words of Paul to heart. I will rejoice because I know that the Truth (life saving Truth) is being proclaimed! Amen

Be blessed and know that you are loved by YeHoVaH through Messiah Yeshua and the Ruach ha-Kodesh lives within you.