October 5 | Philippians 3:17-21
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Disappointed by False Followers
By Dave Mann
Today’s passage is full of sadness for the Apostle Paul and for all believers. Paul acknowledges that there are people who claim to be true preachers of the gospel, but who are not. Paul has wept over this situation. Some people are really enemies of Christ, and their god is their stomach. They want the pleasures of this earth, not the expansion of the kingdom of God. Just because someone speaks in religious ways does not mean that he/she is following the Lord. The Apostle Paul was a realist. He knew that not everyone who sounds religious is sincere.
Paul addressed this matter earlier in his epistle to the Philippians. Check out chapter 1, verses 17-18, where Paul writes about some false brothers who are trying to take advantage of Paul’s imprisonment to undermine Paul’s influence among the young churches that Paul had recently planted. Amazingly, Paul puts a positive spin on this matter, rejoicing that the name of Christ is being promoted even if it is being done out of selfish motivation.
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.
Even Jesus addressed this issue in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:21).
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
No doubt, you have heard about modern preachers of the Bible who have proclaimed one thing with their mouths but have secretly lived a different life. Often such people are popular on their televised broadcasts, raking in large sums of money in their offerings. Eventually, their perverted lifestyle becomes public and their ministry falls apart. These are sad moments.
Nevertheless, Paul demonstrates how we can remain in the faith even if others are double-minded. We can continue to place our faith in the Lord, not in flawed human representatives.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Jesus is Lord, even when we are disappointed by those who claim to represent him.
PRAYER
Faithful Lord, even when others have proved themselves to be unfaithful, we look to you. Help us to follow you, to proclaim your true gospel, and to live a life worthy of the name of Jesus, Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DAVE MANN
I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.
In my 4+ years of UALC membership, I have heard more true- to -God's -word- teaching and leadership than I had in the former 4 different church memberships I have held. Back to my Lutheran teaching in northern Ohio. When scripture is read, shared, held up as the ONLY truth, I feel once again in tune to God, His love for each of us, and yearn for the day I will meet Him face-to-faith in my forever home.
Lord, I pray for our leaders and pastors at UALC. We pray their eyes remain on you and that their motives are kingdom focused always. Thank you, Jesus, for your goodness!