Morning Moments

Philippians Devotional Outline continued

[1:16] The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

6. THE SIMULATION

I call this simulation because it may look real and feel real but it is not the real thing. I want to be clear here because in my mind there is a difference between the false teacher or teachers of false doctrine and those who preach Christ for gain and to cast dispersion upon those who suffer for Christ. Paul was faced with both and so are we.

Paul would have never said, "I thank God for the Judiazers who say it must be Christ and the law." He made that clear over and over here and in over epistles. So, he must have reference here to those who might have thought with him in prison they had a better chance at climbing the ladder, or as the word "contention" means with "selfish ambition".

Please tell me what's wrong with the Gospel? Why is it essential to preach that if you don't speak it tongues, you don't have the Spirit? Why is it so important to seek to lead poor people to believe they are poor because they do not have enough faith to be wealthy? Why did not Paul say of Timothy and Epaphroditus that they did not have enough faith to be well and did not "claim their healing" so were sick? This is all what I call simulation. It is not the real thing! It is a simulation! As Paul, I thank God Christ is preached and I wish everybody had lots of money and great health and good speak in many languages (God knows it would help us in missions), but it is simply not realistic! It is SIMULATION!

You can call it "Kingdom Living" if you wish and if it works for you, have at it, but dear friend, there are the David Brainerds of Christianity who are dying of tuberculosis in the snow, caring not for their own lives to get the Gospel out. There are the Wesleys of old who rode 8,000 miles a year on horseback and preached two or more times daily just to get the Gospel out. Christian history shows us that many "shall not be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease; for there's a cross for everyone and there's a cross for me." The cross is not something to hide behind or to relish in, but something to die upon. Others may preach for gain, dear one, but YOU must preach for glory – GOD’S not your own.

PREACH CHRIST! Crucified for our sins but Risen to live in us.

BLESSINGS!