Cynicism Regarding the Church

1:15-16a Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love...

Even though Paul knew well that some were preaching Christ out of evil motives, this did not cloud his vision and make him unable to see that there were others who preached Christ out of love and good will. This verse is good medicine for treating the disease of cynicism. How many folks who see hypocrisy in the church allow that to convince them that no one is really sincere (with the possible exception of them ), that all preachers of Christ are phonies operating out of self-interest.

Now I well recognize that many today get naively sucked into the deceptive schemes of phonies who are preaching in the name of Christ. (You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to discern some of them.) There are wolves around, no doubt - vicious wolves. And Christian people must be very careful. But there is a difference between being careful and being cynical. Carefulness recognizes the possibility that there might be a wolf. Cynicism arrogantly concludes that there is nothing but wolves.

For some, this cynicism about those who preach Christ is a defense mechanism. It makes them feel better about themselves to think of "the righteous" as hypocrites. It justifies their refusal to listen to what these people are saying. (Thus, we must be anxious to remove this veil of suspicion and distrust: because it keeps people away from the word of God.) Sometimes they will acknowledge that some are preaching Christ sincerely, but it never seems like it’s the ones that they listen to.

God’s word still holds true today: "Some...are preaching Christ...from good will,...out of love..." Let us stay far away from the snare of cynicism.

O Lord my God, I give praise to You that the power of Your Spirit is greater than the power of human sin. Thank you that in Your great might You are able to conquer the wills of men and save them from their phoniness and deception and hypocrisy. Thank You for the men and women of sincere faith that You have raised up all around the world. I thank You, Lord, that even when so many preach Christ to promote themselves, there are some who preach out of love and good will. Bless them, Lord Jesus. Encourage them. Strengthen them. Keep them pure. Increase their zeal to serve You. Shine the light of Your word through them. Thank You particularly for the ones You have used in my life to build me up in Jesus Christ. What a blessing it has been to see the reality of Christ in the lives of His humble sincere people! Thank You, Lord!