Escaping the Whirlwind

"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 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. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,...." Phil. 1:15-18 NIV

I am very aware I used this same scripture in yesterday's post. I knew then I would do another post on it. There is so much to be understood in these three verses! The Word of God is so full, one could teach out of one or two verses for weeks. However, I promise not to go that far in these posts, but it would be fun to watch the Lord continue to unfold Himself out of the text. If you have not read the post from yesterday, I would urge you to do so and then come back for this one.

 Paul has begun in these statements to explain how he has conquered three battles. The first one he tackles is inside his own heart. The fact that Paul "did not bite" on his enemies' carrot to get into the competitive whirlwind is evident. Instead he turned it all to rejoicing. Now what did he know and how did he do it? What interior disposition had he submitted to that enabled this kind of response?

He knew that competition (rivalry, selfish-ambition) in its very core essence is demonic. Those are strong words, but it is what the scripture tells us.

"But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." James 3:14-16 NIV

As we submit to the training of grace, the Holy Spirit will allow us to leave our flesh way of thinking and release us into the glory of the mind of Christ.

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and wordily passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,...."Titus 2:11-12 "...But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Cor. 2:16b NIV

In this Spirit placement, which is a gift from the Lord Jesus, we cease to compare, cease to out-do, cease from always looking to see what others are or might be doing and cease to be so consumed with self and self's accomplishments that we begin to be empowered to "see" in the mind of our Beloved. Then we are released to rejoice as He does in the works of others in His Kingdom - even when we think they have it wrong in their hearts. Such is the joy of learning to live in the fullness of Spirit.

No one said this is easy stuff, but the fruit of the process is revealed here as being a wonderful release of joy and a fellowship in and with the Holy Spirt that surpasses our minds ability to do or contain. Thus, Paul's attitude does not condemn all who do not have it, but instead through his statements we can hear the Spirit's invitation to begin to "see" what has not been seen and to release into joy instead of the stress of competition inside ourselves.