Do Motives Matter if Christ is Preached? Philippians 1:12-18

 Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Paul writes in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called to His purpose.  His being imprisoned is one of the great examples of this.  "God didn’t waste Paul’s time during the Roman imprisonment. God never wastes our time, though we may waste it by not sensing God’s purpose for our lives at the moment." (Guzik)

13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.  Paul didn't need for everything to be perfect to preach the gospel.  It was often messy and it still is today. Though he was in chains physically, it became clear that his real servitude was to Christ.  His witness led to the conversion of some people, including the palace guard. 

14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.  Paul's example of trusting in Christ regardless of his circumstances gave the other believers confidence.  Paul's trust in Christ despite being in chains encouraged them to take a risk for the sake of the gospel.  Courage inspires courage in others, and often fear does the same.  Which do you exhibit more?  

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.  Some preached Christ to get a competitive edge over Paul. They were more worried about popularity ratings than faithfulness to the gospel.  Ambition to become the best you can be for the Lord is fine, but when it is "selfish" ambition it moves from motivation to pride.  

16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.  There were others who were preaching out of sincere motives.  Notice there will always be people with mixed motives in preaching the gospel.  That is a given, but our job is less to judge others, and more to be found faithful with what the Lord has entrusted to us.  We all have different talents, and we will not be judged by someone else's talent only our own.  

17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.  Some were so envious that they hoped by their preaching they would stir up more trouble for Paul.  That is pretty low.  

Famous devotional writer A.W. Tozer writes this, "If I err in my self- judgment and actually underestimate myself I do not want to know it. I purpose to pray for others and to rejoice in their prosperity as if it were my own. And indeed it is my own if it is Thine own, for what is Thine is mine, and while one plants and another waters it is Thou alone that giveth the increase.” (from The Price of Neglect, 104-105)

18 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.  Paul closes by saying, "what does it matter?"  He might also say, "It isn't our business to judge another brother or sister's ministry?"  In the end the most important thing is that Christ is preached.  If the gospel reaches a lost sinner, it really doesn't matter who preaches it.  After all it is not the preacher that saves anybody, but Jesus and His Word empowered by the Holy Spirit.  You can see Paul's singular aim and sole motivation was that the gospel was preached.  He didn't get caught up in the petty divisions and conversations about who was a better preacher, or more effective in reaching souls for Christ.  

How has God used difficult situations in your life to be a platform for preaching the gospel?  If you are going through a difficult time now, do you think your witness to Christ will encourage others to a deeper trust in Him?  If not, what might cause you to be more passionate for the gospel and the preaching of it?