Flawed Messengers

Chuckle: "Do you realize that in about 40 years we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos?"

Quote: "Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth." --Henry David Thoreau

"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will . . . 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" (Philippians 1:15, 18 NIV).

In recent years, we have seen some prominent preachers go down in disgrace because of personal greed, ambition, sexual misconduct, dishonesty, etc. What a tragedy it is when men and women of God lose sight of the One they serve and become influenced by the standards of the world. All of us, as Christians, whether preachers or not, should say: "There, but for the grace of God, go I." All of us are wise to be on guard and keep our eyes upon Jesus so that our testimony is not discredited by sin in our lives. Whether we are preachers, teachers, or serving our Lord in some other capacity, we are all flawed messengers -- some more than others. We are all sinners saved by grace. Yet, Paul rejoiced if the message was being preached, regardless of the sinful motives of the ones doing the preaching. God can use His message for good regardless of the flaws in the messengers.

Flawed people sometimes attempt to serve the Lord with sinful hearts. "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry" (vs.15). Unfortunately preachers don't always practice what they preach. The same was true in Rome in Paul's day. How can one preach the One who cleanses from sin while still intentionally sinning himself? Sadly, it happened in Paul's day, and it happens in our day as well.

Flawed people should serve the Lord with sincere hearts. ". . . some preach Christ . . . out of goodwill" (vs. 15). Remember, that though good men may be sincere, they are not perfect. Even the best of us are at best only flawed human beings. Paul says in Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect (mature), but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Paul's confessions about his own imperfections are sobering. "What a wretched man I am!" (Romans 7:24). "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst" (2 Timothy 1:15). Thank God for his imperfect servants who are nonetheless sincere in what they do for Him. And thank God for his forgiveness and cleansing (I John 1:9).

Flawed people sometimes serve the Lord with sinful motives. "The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains" (vs..17). "Some preach Christ out of false motives" (vs..18). Paul certainly had his enemies in the church at Rome, and they saw his imprisonment as an opportunity to demonstrate their perceived superiority over him. Preachers often deal with the temptation to promote self rather than the gospel. No matter who you are or what you do for the Lord, be careful of your motives and heed Paul's admonition. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit" (Philippians 2:2). Beware of what lurks in the heart, for "when the Lord comes, He . . . will expose the motives of men's hearts" (I Corinthians 4:5).

Flawed people should serve the Lord with pure motives. "The latter do so in love" (vs.16). Sincere servants of the Lord are motivated by their love and gratitude toward God, His Word, and the people for whom He gave His Son. Wise preachers, teachers, and other Christians, in spite of their failures and flaws, should make God's love the obvious motive for their service to the Lord.

Love, Jerry & Dotse