I Will Rejoice. Philippians 1:18. “What then notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached: and I therein rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Whether the motives behind other men's preaching were genuine or false was not important to the apostle Paul. If it was for appearances or for the sake of what was right, he was glad that the Gospel was being shared and people were hearing it. The Gospel's goal and the truth of its message do not rely on who proclaims it. The message is much more important than the preacher himself. Even though Paul was in prison and some Christians tried to add to his difficulties by preaching, he was determined to look past them and rejoice that God's word was not bound.
When Christ is preached to people in remote parts of the world, and although I do not know many of those proclaiming the way of salvation, I am led to reflect that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and His message, God can use to bring sinners to Himself. Even if their motives are not pure, I should never neglect to pray that the Holy Spirit will cause God’s Word to endure. He is the One who convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come. He is the One who uses the Word of God to bring about faith that leads to people being born again by the Spirit.
I am now the one who must pause and reflect within my own soul – “Will I honestly rejoice in my heart?” regardless of who God uses to preach. After all, God can bless His Word and use anyone’s voice, eloquence, and position to read the Bible publicly. What they say about it may or may not be entirely correct, but what God declares in scripture is what truly matters. Therefore, I must be willing to look beyond the person God employs for His own sovereign reasons. In His own way, He grants power to His Word. What is spoken publicly is never coming back, and the word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword.
I choose to rejoice in the Gospel itself because I know there is enough in a few words to light up a sin-darkened soul. The speaker isn’t really the main point. No one will remember who said what after a very short time. As long as Christ is preached – it’s okay. I thank God for what is true; people can hear redemption’s plan whenever it is shared. I will aim not to criticize but to rejoice in this fact. God is bringing lost sheep into His fold in His own way, at His own time, in whatever place He chooses.