Books
Envy and Strife or Good Will Preaching
Philippians 1:15-16 “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will.” (KJV)
Some preach Christ with envy and strife. Some preach with good will.
One preaches Christ with selfish ambition, not sincerely, expecting to add to my chains (or troubles and trials). Philippians 1:17 “But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.”
The other preaches with love, knowing that I am appointed to defend the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:18-19 “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
Either way, whether preached by a pretender or by one true preacher of Christ, Christ is preached. Rejoice because Christ is preached. Because these will all cause salvation through prayer and supply the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
(By Linda Sedrick Pearson)
Works of the Flesh Versus Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
