The Permanent Presence of Political Posturing Part 2

Over the next few blogs I am going to give a few reasons not to despair over political posturing. Here is the first.

1. Christ Is Preached: "And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance," Philippians 1:14-19 ESV

I will not give an expanded explanation of what is occurring in this text, except to say, there were those who were taking advantage of Paul's imprisonment to promote their own ministries. Our involuntary response would have been to anathematize these men: "They are heretics!" However, this prideful, political, anti-Paul posturing was serving a positive purpose: Christ was being preached.

So, rather than fighting political pygmies, Paul glories that Christ is preached. Even if with envy, rivalry, insincerity and pretense the preaching of Christ and the gospel is always a positive thing. It is better to endure the politician than to pause the preaching of Christ. We must trust that the Gospel is powerful enough to save in spite of the malice and motives of men. Paul is confident that even this will turn out for his deliverance.

The Permanent Presence of Political Posturing Part 1

I know the title is cheesy, but hopefully it got your attention. We as preachers, myself included, bemoan the political posturing of Pentecost, especially among preachers. This aversion to all things political has been the driving force behind many good and bad decisions. This hatred for political power has cause men to: compromise convictions, leave organizations, change fellowships, isolate themselves and worst of all backslide.

The ironic thing about this hatred for politics, is that few things can make a man more cold, calculating and political than a hatred for politics. A perfect secular example of this is the Occupy Wall Street crowd. They have become what they protest; the spirit is the same, the agenda is just different. No one is more vitriolic than a man embittered toward an organization or fellowship.

The reality is, there will always be political power struggles in the body of Christ. Political maneuvering and manipulation will always exist. It will be a permanent reality on every level: local church, regional fellowships and organizationally. As much as we detest politics, we must come to grips with its permanency. Jesus had to deal with it in his disciples, it was in play in Corinth, it was in play through out the New Testament and will be in play through out the duration of church history.

I am not suggesting that we should sanctify it and protect it; however, I am suggesting that we accept its reality. If you do not accept this reality and you pursue an idealistic ecclesiastical climate free of political men you will die a frustrated, bitter and lonely man. We must ask God for the grace to endure.

I will suggest in part 2 that it is a positive thing...