Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

16 December 2024

Reading From Philippians 1-4

“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.”

–Philippians 1:15-18

     The Apostle Paul’s view of other ministers seems very mature.  Even though he does not necessarily agree with what everyone else is communicating and in some cases questions their intentions, the main thing is that the Gospel is being proclaimed.  This reminds me of Isaiah 55:11 which says, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  Of course it is my prayer that the Word of God is rightly divided and communicated with balance, integrity and faithfulness.  But even when it is misconstrued, the Word itself has great power; even the power of life.

     This passage in Philippians echoes Paul’s sentiments presented in I Corinthians 1:10-17.

 “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”

While there are great varieties of ministers, ministries, churches and denominations, unity in the faith is something that the Lord would have us work toward.  Part of attaining greater unity is to make earnest efforts to understand one another more.  This can only be accomplished through civil discourse. 

We need to love and respect one another enough to listen patiently when someone is speaking and to thoughtfully consider what they say.  I celebrate the diversity that is found in the Body of Christ, but we must be reminded that is who we are, the Body of Christ, not the Bodies of Christ.  A key part of Paul’s ministry was His resolved to simply preach Christ crucified, risen and coming again.  Keep the message simple, yet powerful.  It is the essential truths of our faith that bind us together in unity.

“Lord Jesus, I love the diversity found in Your eternal family, but I also pray for greater unity.  I pray that You would bring us together around common goals and unite us in the firm belief of the essential doctrines of our faith.  Give us the wisdom to know what is essential and what is not.  Help us to genuinely love and appreciate one another and value everyone’s contributions to the building up of Your Kingdom upon the Earth.  Thank You for empowering and equipping us for the work of Your ministry.  In Jesus’ Name I pray these things.  Amen.”

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

–I Corinthians 12:12-14