The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 1:15-21, “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;
16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Some people are discouraged about everything! It doesn’t matter whether the circumstances are gargantuan or infinitesimal, they are always in the dumps.

Some preachers preach out of jealously. They want to be the only ones who are proclaiming some new and mysterious “doctrine,” allegedly from the Scriptures, but with a twist that enables them to be unique. Paul says that the jealous proclaim Christ “out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives.” Yet, he thanks God that Christ is being proclaimed, even if the preachers’ motives are impure.

Paul’s only concern is that Christ is being preached. Of course, he wants doctrine to be Scripturally pure. He is not sanctioning irreverent doctrine. He doesn’t even want those who preach out of impure motives to do so. Still, the highest concern is simply that Christ is not ignored! This is his prayer.

He believes (and we should believe this also) that the power of God is sufficient to save people that hear and accept Jesus’ death and resurrection, regardless of the motivation of the preacher. The LORD alone is in control of all things, especially things that have to do with Him and salvation. Yet, it is through our hearing of Him that we are enabled to believe in Him. And believing in Him is what matters the most.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom