The Message of Christ

I think we can all agree that church splits are ugly. It's kind of like a head-butt — no one wins with a head-butt. It hurts both sides. It doesn't matter how we dress them up or frame them, they just are not nice.

When you have to watch one from the outside, especially from a distance, you can easily take sides. Sometimes you choose sides based upon who you know; other times on what you know. And if you're like me, and you don't know anything, you base it on principle. The wonderful thing about principle is that it gives you a high place to stand, even if only in your mind. You are able to pass your judgements without information or wisdom. It is interesting when uninformed ethics override Godly wisdom and situational knowledge. The outcome tends to make the one who thinks he stands so high look rather foolish.

In the interest of being real, I must confess that I have taken this uninformed stand regarding ministries in my area. I had a rather troubling conversation yesterday that I took to prayer this morning. As I usually, as I am asking God to correct others attitudes, I am gently reminded of the plank in my own eye.

As I began my normal scripture reading, my high-mindedness collided with the latter half of Philippians 1. Here Paul tells us of the chains he bares for the Gospel of Christ. He then goes on to tell of how others are inspired by him and they preach Christ. Followed by the fact that others preach Christ not out of genuine love for the people or even for the gospel but out of jealousy of Paul. He says it this way:

"Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn't matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice."

Ah the gentle way God lovingly brings the most appropriate words at the most appropriate times.

I am still not a fan of church splits, not matter how they are dressed up. However, I have learned this today — it is the message of Christ that matters and not the politics of church. It is not my place to judge intentions or take sides, especially when I am not involved. It is my place to say with Paul, "Whether their motive are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice."