Friday after the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on September 10, 2021 by under
Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18 (NKJV)
1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Devotion
Why would a preacher preach another gospel instead of the Gospel intended by God? And by “Gospel” here is meant Gospel in the broad sense, which includes both Law and Gospel. One who preaches the Gospel in the broad sense preaches the Law full strength to show us our sinful nature and our sins, and he preaches the Gospel full strength to show us our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Why would a man go to the effort to preach the Gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ falsely? Though many reasons might be given, such as ignorance or desire for power or money, they all go to one source. The answer is: Men are led by the devil, Satan himself, to preach the Gospel falsely. It is the devil’s miserable work to mislead human souls to hell.
But the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a ministry of the true joy of salvation. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached in love so that we may hear and believe. In that is true and great joy. In that, we who believe can rejoice. Let us all rejoice in the love of God in Christ Jesus. With Paul we say, “Rejoice I say, Rejoice!”
Prayer: Keep, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy Church with Thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without Thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by Thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
