| “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.” |
| —Philippians 1:18a |
“I don’t care what good you might be doing. I just don’t like the way you’re doing it!”
Does that statement sound as silly to you as it sounds to me? No matter where we go in our current culture, we hear lots and lots of criticisms. I most often hear criticism from other Evangelicals because I choose to worship at a church that values the historical connection to Christians from generations past that is provided by liturgical worship. All around the area where I live, virtually every other Evangelical church has adopted a contemporary worship style. Because the church I attend hasn’t jumped on the Contemporary Christian Music bandwagon, we’re sometimes derided.
I also hear criticism from some Christian leaders who believe that it’s okay to rail against other Christian groups that don’t act and react the way those leaders feel they should. If a particular leader does not adopt the “right” position on political and social issues, the other Christian leaders become quick to criticize.
The same problem exists within Evangelical Christian colleges and universities. Just as secular colleges and universities have, more and more, become politically and socially left‑wing—or “woke”—in the personal philosophies of their professors and, thus influencing what those professors teach their students, so many Evangelical Christian colleges and universities have become more politically and socially left-wing, as well. Whereas in the past, Evangelical Christian colleges and universities previously worked diligently to support the development and work of the local Evangelical churchers and held fast to the foundational democratic, Constitutional, Conservative principles of our nation, now some of those same Evangelical colleges and universities fill the minds of students with the same kind of negative thinking that secular colleges and universities fill the minds of their students.
There certainly are plenty of reasons to examine whether or not Christians are obediently following in the footsteps of Jesus. For example, it seems to me that the Evangelical arm of Christianity—of which I am a life-long member—is largely backslidden. But, I’m not certain that harsh words of criticism are the best way to win the hearts and minds of backslidden people, encourage positive changes in them, and foster the kind of revival that needs to take place.
I think we need to wrap our analysis in God’s love and speak tender words, in order to encourage our brothers and sisters to reconsider their actions—even their devotion to Christ. It is more productive to urge repentance in a gentle manner than to offer harsh criticism. Please notice how the Apostle Paul handled such a matter in Philippians 1:15-18:
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
But what does it matter?
The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.Yes, and I will continue to rejoice...
Paul seemed willing to rejoice that Christ was being preached, even by those with whom he had great disagreement. I wonder if we need to reexamine how we react to the way other believers choose to preach the gospel, to live their lives, or do any other Kingdom work?
Originally posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2015
