Quotes from the pen of Pastor Charles Morris:
I preach and teach the things I believe to be true with great conviction because I believe this statement to be true. "If the things I believe to be true is good and true for me, then I believe them to be good and true for all men." 1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, (4) who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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The wilderness time seems like a dry lonely place. The wilderness place is best described as when God pulls His manifested presence back from us and we “feel” like we are alone.
Of course we know that He never leaves us but in the wilderness place it seems like God has departed. It is the natural thing to do to seek to get out of that place as soon as possible. What are some of the causes that lead believers to the place called the "wilderness" ? The wilderness place is the result of many different things. SIN: If we walk in unconfessed sin, we may very well find ourselves in the wilderness place. The Father, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, desires that we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh or in sin. If we are walking in unconfessed sin the Holy Spirit will convict us. If we ignore that conviction to ask forgiveness and seek repentance than the Father will draw back His manifested hand of His presence. TO LEARN TO LOVE GOD FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT HE IS GOD: What is going on when we are not in sin and we are activity seeking the face of our Lord with all that we know to do? With all of our strength and mind and emotions we are going after God. And then, we find ourselves in the wilderness pace. Things are dry and we feel like God has packed His bags and left us. Why would God place us in a dry place where He seems to be thousands of miles away and our prayers seem like they fall flat in the floor? The wilderness place many times is manifested when we long for His manifested presence and to experience His love, yet nothing comes but silence. Maybe to help understand this I will use a kid’s game to describe it. It seems like God is playing “hide and seek” with us at a time when we need Him the most. And believe God would ask us, "Do you love Me for nothing?" "Do you love Me as you seek after Me and yet you don't feel My presence?" Job 23:8-10 ESV “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; (9) on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him. (10) But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Have you ever been there with Job? We seek God and God could not be found! Although we know that He is present and that He loves us, and the Scriptures say He will never leave us, but we still have this overwhelming feeling that we are alone. We seek Him and His heart but we get silence and a sense of loneliness. We pray, and we remember, "there was a day when all I had to do was whisper God’s name and His presence was immediately there and filled the room." But now in the stillness and the silence, we want to shout, "GOD WHERE ARE YOU?" Job was picked to undergo a testing of his faith. Job 1:8-12 ESV And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" (9) Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? (10) Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (11) But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." (12) And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Yet in all that Job suffered as he saw the lose of his family, his livestock, his possessions and his health, he still praised God through it. Job 1:20-22 ESV Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. (21) And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (22) In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. Job 13:15 ISV Even though he kills me, I'll continue to hope in him. At least I'll be able to argue my case to his face! WELCOME TO THE WILDERNESS PLACE! Read Ps.63 for more insight to King David's wilderness place. In the area of JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS we see the two most important concepts of God's character in operation.
Righteousness starts with the vertical relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ which gives us the right to stand unashamed before a Holy God. It is a "right standing" before God. This is only done if we are walking in the atonement of Christ's sacrifice for our sins and in God's Truth and Spirit. Among men we have the horizontal relationship of righteousness. It is the quality of life demonstrated by those who live up to the established norms in a relationship. In other words, they seek to do right by another person. Justice starts with the vertical relationship whereby God must punish sin. God determined who was right in the court case of holiness and found only the Lord Jesus Christ to be innocent. All those who are "in Christ" have been declared "justified" because Christ took their sin and punishment upon Himself. Those outside of Christ have been declared guilty and already under God's condemnation. In the horizontal we see the judicial process of determining who is right in a case of law. The justice system of the court was established to determine and free the innocent and punish the guilty. In human trafficking and human slavery we find that the one guilty of trafficking is unrighteous both before God and before man. They cannot stand unashamed before a Holy God and they are not doing right by another person's life. The trafficker is guilty of injustice before God and before man. In the court case before God they are found to be outside of Christ and His commands, and outside the character and Word of God. Before man the trafficker is guilty of injustice in the fact that between them and the victim they violated the case of humanity, dignity, and self-will. Therefore, injustice is done and must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. When you were a kid did you ever try to mimic someone's every move?
Number 1, as hard as you try, you couldn't get each facial expression or sound from the one you are mimicking anywhere near perfect. (But it was fun trying). Number 2, Usually the person you were mimicking was frustrated that you were copying their movements and sounds. (Of course the more frustrated and madder they got, the more you wanted to continue.) We are to mimic or be imitators of God. What does that mean? First we want to look at the word mimic and it's meaning. It is the Greek word mimētēs, (mim-ay-tace') and is where we get our English word for mimic. It means one who is a "close follower." The word is only used 7 times in the New Testament. It means to be imitators, to mimic someone’s speech, to mimic someone’s walk, to mimic someone’s accent, and to mimic someone’s manner of life. So since we are God’s children we are called to mimic our heavenly Father who is peace and joy. We are to mimic His words, His acts, His nature, His ways, His graces, and His Spirit. And know this, God will not get frustrated with us as we mimic, imitate, and follow Him and His ways. We have in the New Testament, the picture of all that God is in character and holiness in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. In fact Jesus said if you have seen Him you have seen the Father. FOLLOWED/MIMICKED PAUL: Paul told the believers to follow or mimic him, as he is a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul understood the responsibility of living a holy and Godly life. People are watching, and our lives should be an example that others can follow. 1 Corinthians 4:15-17 ESV (15) For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (16) I urge you, then, be imitators of me. (17) That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. FOLLOWED/MIMICKED GOD: Paul understood and taught that the One we should mimic our lives after, the One we should follow is our heavenly Father. Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. (2) And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. FOLLOWED/MIMICKED PAUL, THE APOSTLES, OTHER BELIEVERS AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 ESV And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, (7) so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. (8) For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 ESV For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, Hebrews 6:11-12 ESV And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, (12) so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. In one place the word mimic or follower is translated zealous. You can place the word follow or mimic in 1 Pet.3:13 for it is the same Greek word in this verse. 1 Peter 3:13 ESV Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? Being a follower or mimic of our Lord Jesus Christ means that we learn to stay in His peace and joy while in the storms of life. Some storms of life by faith and prayer the Lord will deliver us FROM, which is truly an act of the Father's mercy and grace. However, most storms of life by that same faith and prayer the Lord will deliver us THROUGH, which is still an act of the Father's mercy and grace. Both are a call to us to walk in His character of peace and joy. WARNING: We can learn through our religious experiences to say the right things and do some of the right things when our heart is still far from the heart of the Father. This is being a hypocrite, or one who wears many faces. The mimicking and imitating we are speaking about is a constant change of heart from being around the Father and Godly saints. We are continuing with the introduction to the Book of Philippians as we see Paul's theme of joy and rejoicing established throughout the book. In the example Paul set for us, his first and foremost reminder is for us to be followers of Christ. When we read about the fruit of the Spirit in Gal.5:22-23, sometimes we might miss what Paul was saying as He was inspired by the Holy Spirit to pen those words. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is actually the character of God. It is not just what God does, it is who God is. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. God loves us as an action, (not the feeling thing which we seem to dwell on so much). True Biblical agape love is more than what God has done or what He will do. True Biblical agape love is who God is. God is love. The same can be true with each one of the fruit of the Spirit. 1 John 4:8 ESV Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God exercises, releases and gives joy as an action, (not as a feeling). God is joy, it is His character. God exercises, releases and gives peace as an action, (not as a feeling). God is peace, it is His character. This is the example that Paul followed and walked in, and admonishes us to do the same as believers. Imagine, having joy that is not controlled through emotional zeal. Imagine, being able to express joy out of obedience to the character of God (the fruit of the Spirit), no matter what our emotions are doing. No matter if our emotions are that of being happy or sad, hurt or accepted, loved or hated, we can bring the emotions under subjection to the Spirit, the Word, and the Character of God within us and have joy unspeakable and full of glory as an act of obedience. Of course you have heard the old motto, "All it takes is one bad apple to spoil the whole bushel"?
Ever notice every time a kid or young adult gets in trouble his/her parents respond with "Yeah, he was a great kid until he got with the wrong crowd"? So if everyone who gets in trouble was influenced by the wrong crowd, who is the wrong crowd and what are their parents saying? I have never heard a parent say, "my kid WAS the wrong crowd." When I stand in church and give my testimony I have four points that need to be addressed. In those four points there are some key elements to remember. 1. Keep the testimony 3-6 minutes long. Period. 2. Don't glorify sin or the enemy. 3. Lift up Jesus, it is His work in us. Don't exalt a church or a person, they didn't save us. 4. KISS=Keep it simply simple. Don't use church words that the lost would not know. The 4 points of a testimony: #1 My life before I was saved. (Remember element #2 above). #2 How I realized I needed to be saved. #3 How and where I received Christ. #4 My life now that I am saved. (Concentrate mainly on this one) Now back to bad company: When I give my 4 points in my testimony, on #1 I confess that I was the guy that your parents warned you about. I was the bad crowd. I seemed to look for and found trouble. Which takes me back to the One bad apple spoils the whole bushel. When my sons were young they did not understand why they could not do what all the other kids in school did. I will not stand before God for all the other kids but I knew that I was answerable to God for my two sons. Therefore I tried to keep them from morally bad influences. If they were going to mess up and sin then let it be totally on them and not influenced by bad kids. Do I have Scriptures for this? I am glad that you asked. 1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV (33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." Matthew 24:4 ESV And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. There is a lot of prayer and conversation over the topic of JUSTICE these days.
All over the world prayer groups are crying out for justice. It is a cry for justice against the plight of abortion and the millions of our unborn who have been murdered under the guise of choice and convenience. It is a cry for justice against the inhumanity of trafficking which sells people into slavery for the drug and sex market. The earth is crying out with the blood of the innocent. What are we as believers to do? What are we to expect God to do as we pray for JUSTICE? ABSOLUTE JUSTICE: Amos spoke to God and he spoke for God, and his attacks on injustice were rooted in the absolute justice of the law of God. A moral compass cannot be defined from our emotions, society, lifestyle, family, work or social relationships, or the lust of our flesh. We must get past "if it feels good do it." We need to get past "I have freedom in Christ to worship and live as I please." A "Moral Compass" must have an absolute standard that is unchanging from generation to generation. The Prophets knew that the only true unchanging standard whereby all men stand equally judged is the Word of God and the Character of God. A True moral compass, like a true weight on a scale leads to true absolute justice. Hebrews 6:17-19 ESV So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, (18) so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. (19) We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, We can get so close to the THINGS of God that we might exchange our love, our fellowship, and our worship to those things in place of loving, fellowshipping, and worshipping God.
You who are reading this might quickly say, "no way, Pastor, you are wrong." I have Pastored a lot of churches since entering the ministry in 1977. I have seen quote, double quote, "loving Christians" fight and split ways over something to do with the church building more than once. I have seen Christians sit under false teachings, when they knew and confessed that the pastor was teaching false doctrine, because they loved their church building more than God's Word that commands us to come out from them that teach false doctrine. How about this one: How many churches have more money set aside in their budget each year to maintain their buildings then to evangelism, reaching people for Christ, and discipleship material to grow new believers up? We are commanded by God to reach people with the gospel message. We are commanded by God to make disciples. But we are not commanded to maintain buildings over these things. How we spend our money individually and corporately as a church reveals a lot about where our heart is. We have many traditions within our churches that we would die for over the truth of God's Word. Examples: Look up Easter and it's origin. Easter is not Passover. We celebrate something as precious as our Lord's death, burial and resurrection on a pagan and sexual man-made holiday. The Lord Jesus did not die on Friday and raise on Sunday. This was given to us by the Catholic Church, but we love the things of God over the truth of God. Look up Christmas and it's origin. Jesus could not have been born in December but would have been born during the Feats of Tabernacles in late September or early October. But we take something as special as our Lord's birth and celebrate it on one of the most pagan holidays of the year because again the Catholic Church established it for us. And in both of these holiday examples the church would fight and die over them because the tradition of the THINGS of God are far more important than God. Mark 7:8-9, 13 ESV You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." (9) And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! (13) thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do." Colossians 3:1-3 ESV If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (3) For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Past achievements and successes can be as dangerous as past failures.
One of the dangers Paul speaks about in Phil.3:12-16 is resting in past achievements. (Philippians 3:12 ESV) Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Philippians 3:13 ESV) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (Philippians 3:14 ESV) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:15 ESV) Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (Philippians 3:16 ESV) Only let us hold true to what we have attained. I must admit that right after I accepted Christ as Savior I had a problem moving past the bad things that I had done or those things that had been done to me. It took years for me to accept the fact that God had completely forgiven me and freed me from my past failures. And it took years as a believe for me to truly forgive those whom had hurt me. My successes and accomplishments as a believer also became an issue, but it took longer for me to realize this. One of my drawbacks was getting sidetracked over past accomplishments and achievements. These can cause us to put confidence in the flesh, (our body, our experiences, our intellect). Paul stated that he had not attained (or captured) all the things that he was captured for, therefore he forgets past failures and accomplishments in order to press forward. What a great goal, “the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Although Paul was not with them physically he encouraged the Philippian believers to continue to make progress in their faith. This means there was a way to measure it. Paul explains what this spiritual progress looks like. We have hundreds of years of church history exalting our heroes. But true Christian maturity and doing great things in God are not limited to the special few, but to any who press forward. The illumination of the “deep things” in God’s Word is not for the chosen few, but to any who will press forward. The “yo-yo” up and down daily walk of many believers is not supposed to be the normal Christian life of joy and peace. Paul gives us the example of a Christian life that is lived out of a steady patient practice of Biblical disciplines until they become our own familiar character traits. In case there might be some misunderstanding here, I want to clarify that this is not just an outward change alone producing a religious type of fake life mirroring a Pharisee. It is an outward conduct that comes from an inward change of the heart towards God’s love and a sense of service to Him and the saints and finding the joy of the Lord in doing it. Paul did not tell us to do something that he himself had not done. He knew how to be content in whatever state he found himself. He knew how to rejoice in all situations and live a joyful Christian life even while sitting in prison facing death. (See Phil.1:12-18). Philippians 1:12-18 ESV (12) I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, (13) so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. (14) And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (15) Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. (16) The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (17) The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. (18) What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, Paul told us to mark those who have a good testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ and then use them as an example to follow. Philippians 3:17 ESV Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. Philippians 4:9 ESV What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Dream your dream and then set out to make it happen. God is the author of our calling.
Daniel 7:1 ESV In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. I recommend that you study the dreams and visions in both the Old and New Testaments and see what those who had the dreams and visions did with them. "This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” ― Corrie ten Boom This is so true. Remember, wherever you go, whoever you meet, God uses the experiences and people that have passed through our lives to mold and form us into the image of His Son. (1). Some experiences and people are like holy sandpaper, meant to rub the rough edges off of us. (2). Some experiences and people are like mirrors, meant to be used that we see ourselves though the experiences and lives of other people. (3). Some experiences and people are like a rose, meant to remind us of the beauty and sweet fragrance of life. (4). Some experiences and people are like heartburn, meant to reveal what lies inside of us that needs to be healed. (5). Some experiences and people are like walking a tightrope, meant to show us if we stay there very long we will certainly fall. (6). Some experiences and people are like salt, meant that they have preserved us, seasoned us, and keep us thirsty. When we speak about our past, why is it that for the most part all we can remember are the bad and the hurtful things were done or said to us? While we seem to find it easy to recall the bad and hurtful things done to us there are two things we seldom remember. (1). The good things and good times we had. (2) The bad and hurtful things we said and did to others. It is the easiest and yet most costly thing in the world to be and stay a victim to our past. Just some thoughts from a Pastor's heart that has learn to live without regrets. The Apostle Paul tells what to do in regards to our past and in relation to our future. Philippians 3:13-14 ESV (13) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. TORN BETWEEN TWO WORLDS: Should I go and be with the Lord or should I stay and continue to help you in the faith. Paul encouraged and challenged the believers to continue to grow in the faith. We said earlier that Paul wrote to the Philippians to encourage them in the faith. This means that although Paul was not with them physically he was still able to encourage them. He challenged them to continue to make progress in their faith. This means there had to be a way to measure spiritual growth. Paul was torn between two desires. He desired to leave earth and be with Christ or stay around and continue maturing the saints. Notice in Phil.1:25 that Paul equates their progress in maturing in the Lord with having joy in the Lord. Philippians 1:23-25 ESV (23) I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. (24) But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. (25) Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, Paul encouraged the Philippians that even though they are to walk in a attitude of rejoicing they also need to remember that it is not a time to set back in a relaxed mode. This is the message I speak every opportunity I get. The times we live in are perilous times. There has only been one other time in the history of man that the world as a whole was like it is today, and that was in the days of Noah right before the flood. The gospel message needs to be communicated everywhere by all believers. It is important to remember that we need not be sidetracked with matters that are worldly in nature and we are not to fear the circumstances surrounding world events. We are to be sure that our light is still shining in a dark and perverse world. We are to grow in the Lord, in faith, and in JOY. Philippians 2:14-17 ESV (14) Do all things without grumbling or disputing, (15) that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (16) holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (17) Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. GOD IS OUR STRENGTH: We know that God is all-powerful and is our strength, our fortress, our stronghold, and a mighty tower.
But in what areas does He strengthen me? 1. He strengthens me for BATTLE: Psalms 18:39 ESV For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. 2. He strengthens me in TRUST: Psalms 28:7 ESV The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 3. He strengthens me for TROUBLE: Psalms 46:1 ESV To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 4. He strengthens my HEART: Psalms 73:26 ESV My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. EVERY DAY IS CHOICE:
We are a busy, busy people with social, media, vocational, family schedules pulling us in all directions. HOWEVER... Who sits on the throne? Who is Lord of our time and schedule? Who will we serve, the Lord or someone/something else? Every decision we make for God today will need to be remade tomorrow. No microwave Christianity No blanket decisions No osmosis impartation of truth We all get to maturity the same way...day by day decisions and being tried by fire. Unfortunately there are believers who don't want to answer the question: Whom will you serve today? 1 Kings 18:21 ESV And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word. Encouraged in your faith: Paul wanted to encourage the Philippian believers, but what did he want to encourage them in? He wanted to encourage them in their faith. We all have had times that our faith was challenged, questioned, and shaken. Paul knew this and saw an opportunity to encourage others in their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:20 ESV But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, Paul was in prison in Rome, which is enough to cause a person to be in great worry and anguish if he did not trust in the Lord. Paul knew also that he was facing execution for his preaching the gospel. He wanted to ensure the Philippian church that he was in peace and rejoicing in his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was content knowing that the truth of the gospel was going out. Philippians 1:12-18 ESV (12) I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, (13) so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. (14) And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (15) Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. (16) The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (17) The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. (18) What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, Being in a prison in the first century is much like today in the fact that it carries a certain social stigma. Many shy away from someone who has been in prison or who is currently serving a prison term. But this was not the case with Paul. The Philippian believers had every opportunity to turn their backs on Paul as he sit in that Roman prison. But the believers in Philippi remained friends, true and faithful to Paul. |
AuthorCharles Morris. Founder and Senior Pastor of RSI Ministry, RSI School of Ministry, and RSI Publishing L.L.C.. Archives
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