What You Say Is What You Get

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice...Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— (Phil 1:18, 3:2-3)

With Paul, what you say is what truly matters. Though bound in prison for preaching the True Gospel full of integrity, while others where masquerading around pretentiously presenting the Gospel for their own gain, he rejoiced! He was delighted, that even in treacherous motives, they were preaching the True Gospel.

Later in the book, however, he calls some others dogs, men who do evil, mutilators of the flesh. Why the sudden change Paul? Because, whether from false motives or true, they were preaching a different gospel! Which is actually no gospel at all.

We so often worry about our motives, or the motives of other in preaching. What did they intend? What are they thinking? Why did they say that? But this is not for us to judge. If they preach Christ, rejoice! Delight in the proclamation of the truth! If they don't, even if they are well-meaning, do not budge. Don't relent stand firm until the clarity and truth of the Gospel has been recovered.