Christ and Conflict 7/18/43

Scripture: Philippians 1: 9-18 (especially 15-18)

One of the reasons why the Bible is not read more faithfully and constantly than it is, is that one must study the Bible as he goes along. It does not read like a polished novel. Its literary style is excellent, but it demands concentration upon its truths, for they are not always apparent at first glance.

We think of Jesus Christ as the supreme revelation of love. We picture him as drawing people together in affection and understanding. We love to read of his deeds of mercy, his acts of kindness. With this in mind, then, it comes as a shock to read such words as these in Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and of strife.” What does that statement mean?

Certainly this statement does not mean what we might, with careless reading, take it to mean. There is no Christ of hatred, of quarreling and war, of envy or malice. Surely that is not the meaning in this statement. Whenever people have gotten themselves into a rage or into a fight against others, and prayed God and the spirit of Christ to be on their side, they have eventually awakened to the fact that their whole action was out of line. The spirit of Christ simply does not work in that partisan fashion.

It is more likely that the meaning of this verse could be expressed in some such words as these: “Some indeed preach Christ out of their envy and strife,” or “Some indeed preach Christ from motives of envy and rivalry.”

Paul would have had reason for such a statement. Like any other man of strong character, fighting fearlessly for the right and against what was wrong, he had enemies. Some were those whose influence over their brethren was threatened by Paul’s influence. And so they may have preached Christ out of their envy and strife, trying to present a case that would keep their own influence strong and keep Paul shut out.

It is a strange fact that this spirit so often appears among people engaged in the Christian program! It has been present in the churches for centuries. Within a given church, members have disagreed, at times violently, with each other on theology, on matters of policy, on ecclesiastical organization, on statements of belief, on methods of conduct.

Sometimes the real reason for striving is jealousy. Sometimes pride. Probably all of us have to fight this tendency in ourselves, for without vigilant self-control it easily gets the upper hand with us. We want credit for all that we do, all that we suggest or promote, all that we have helped to achieve. And this is justice. But Christian love is greater than justice.

At this point it is worth while to notice John the Baptist. He had begun to have an influence for good like one of the prophets. Crowds had flocked into the wilderness to see him and hear him. And they were stirred and excited by his message. He was achieving a real place of leadership among notable numbers of people. Then along came Jesus. And John was obliged to see his own influence wane as Jesus’ influence became more brilliant. And John displayed his own selfless cooperation in the will of God by saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

The apostle Paul towers above others in the organization, establishment and leadership of the early church. There were many who would have done well to follow his leadership more devotedly, even though it might mean a waning of their own influence, rather than preach an interpretation of Christ colored by their envy of, and strife against, Paul.

The latter part of the verse we have been considering continues, “and some also of good will.” Then follows the statement, “The one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.”

Those who were acting from the motive of love, preached with good will, for they knew that Paul was giving his very life for the Gospel that they, too, were trying to present.

The divisions among Christian people have been tragic. Differences of opinion we have, and that is probably well; for the recognition and study of our differences stimulates us. But to allow those differences to divide Christian and Christian is a sorrowful state. The church survives not because of its divisions, but in spite of them. An increasing number of people have become interested lately in closer church union. A dozen years ago [1931], the Congregational and Christian denominations reunited in one general fellowship. Three years ago, four great Methodist bodies united in one denomination. I understand that, together they now make, in point of numbers, probably the largest Protestant church group in the world. Other great denominational bodies are studying the possibility of future union or federation of their churches. I believe that this all means a growing spirit among Christian people of cooperative good will toward each other in the face of those evils which are the common enemy of all of the churches, and of all righteousness.

The spirit of Christ in the hearts of men faces serious challenge and opposition today. There is ruthless and selfish aggression abroad. Pagan philosophies have mounted like the whirlwind. There is moral laxity and spiritual laziness to be dealt with. And the gospel of Christ is the only effective weapon, the only force powerful enough to bring righteousness to our world.

There are some who challenge Christianity directly, thereby bringing a conflict into the open.

(The easiest kind of battle; open)

(Those who cloak themselves within the church are harder

to meet - the half-hearted, the occasion hypocrite - counterfeits)

Hypocrites

(Socially respectable thing, to join the church)

(business reasons - join church)

(cover wrongs - join the church)

But did you ever think what it is that might make it desirable for the occasional hypocrite to join a church? The reason for spurious discipleship of Christ is that the real disciples count for so much.

Counterfeit ten dollar bill. Why?

Because it is worth counterfeiting.

Does one counterfeit brown wrapping paper? (No)

Not worth counterfeiting.

Counterfeit Christian? Yes. Why? worth counterfeiting.

Real Christians not to blame for being counterfeited?

Ozora Davis, in a booklet of devotions, pointed out that there are 3 or 4 things to be remembered when we face conflicts with a Christian point of view.

1) “Truth is promoted even by outward opposition.” The spiritual power of the early Christians was never stronger than during the first two or three centuries of the church’s existence after Christ walked the earth. (Roman persecutions, etc.) Truth has been thrown into bold relief by the evil philosophies of dictators. And so it has been easier to defend. Opposition is at times the very means by which truth is advanced.

2) “Truth is promoted in spite of inner friction.” It is common strategy in warfare, and in other kinds of conflict, to divide and defeat. That technique takes advantage of one of the common follies of human nature as we know it. But Paul rejoiced that even factions resulted in making the truth known.

3) Paul rejoiced that in conflict, “the truth was being stated.” The victory could be won by confident witnessing, for truth is its own propaganda agent.

4) The truth can find its own defenders. Ultimately the will of God will win because it can not be flouted with impunity! He who whines at little annoyances, he who lives in blind self-concern, he who willfully strikes off after his own whims only loses his best opportunity, for truth is the only thing that finally wins. And the only successful life is the one which spends itself in the interests of the Great Cause.

The spirit of Christ is not the spirit of conflict in the sense of wars, of strife, of children’s quarrels and adult’s fights, or of economic and social ruthlessness.

Christ is definitely in conflict with all evil but it is an open conflict in the spirit of a contest - a race - of ultimate right against eternal wrong. When you read the gospel words “I am set” for the defense of the Gospel, you read words of snap and vitality.

Throwing aside all jealousy, and strife within, and all possible hypocrisy, let us work together for the high end of spreading Christ’s gospel!

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Dates and places delivered:

Pilgrim Church, Honolulu, July 23, 1939 AM

Wisconsin Rapids, July 18, 1943.