Phiilippians 1:15-19

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: ( 16 ) The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds. ( 17 ) But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. ( 18 ) What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. ( 19 ) For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

What would you consider to be the center of the gospel of Jesus Christ? What does it take to truly be born again? ( In my opinion ) true salvation has its center on Jesus Christ and him crucified, buried and the fact that he arose from that grave. He lived a sin free life, never sinned. In Him and Him alone do we put our faith. I say that without contention or envy, even without strife. I truly wish God’s will on all that believe.

I don’t offer that as an opinion but; rather that it’s my opinion that it is the center of being born again. I’m sure that if we, as in a group of believers were to sit at a round table we could even debate; what the actual center might be but, my point is that we are all preaching and teaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That, in itself becomes a great asset toward the salvation we seek.

My passion, my burden is the fact that there are so many people that are members of our Churches and are not born again, they have never been saved. While I am not a judge of any man, that doesn’t mean that I’m not concerned. The Bible teaches us this fact in many areas. For instance, when I see people that old things have not passed away and, all things are not becoming new, that concerns me. I can see how a person can be deceived in thinking that simply believing in Jesus Christ is salvation and that is not all it is to salvation. The Bible says that the devils believe, and tremble. ( James 2:19 ) At any rate, that is my burden therefore, I can be hard on Church leaders because my desire is for Church people to be sanctified, set apart for the glory of Jesus Christ. The Church is the one place a sinner should be able to come and meet Christ, see Christ above all. And, every person that represents any Church should represent Christ outside the doors of that building.

Just as it is the resposibility of the Holy Spirit to draw a sinner to Jesus Christ it’s also his responsibility to convince each believer of truth. Since or, if we have Jesus Christ as our center then, you are not my enemy nor will you ever be. There are many people that see things differently that I do but, we have the same passion for sinners and salvation. For instance, there are those that believe you can lose your salvation, I happened not to believe that. We both love Christ and are witnesses in his name and we are not enemies. We are on the same team.

Whether the issue is, falling from grace, speaking in tongues, the rapture, tribulation, baptism, the Lord’s supper or, what Church you go to, it doesn’t matter. It will take the Holy Spirit to teach every person of their error in truth, including me. When truth is revealed to me by the Holy Spirit then, it becomes my responsibility to yield to that truth and change what I am teaching. With that being said, we are not enemies and, the people that are lost shouldn’t ever see us as such.

I do however, also realize that it can all work together for the salvation of the sinner. There’s a fine line between two believers being seen as people that are concerned for the lost and two that are fighting among each other.

I try my best to choose my battles. and that, because we are on the same team. If I fight I battle that I cannot win and, if I win, what have I won? To whom is the profit? However, If I win a battle but lose my ability to witness to some that are lost then, who actually won that battle?

Satan often wants to put God’s children at odds because he knows when we argue, he wins. As a born again believer, I have no desire to win anything. My desire is for God’s Spirit to win in the heart of the sinner, to teach what I believe to be true and, to allow God’s Spirit to us me for his glory. I truly appreciate every person that teaches for God’s glory, no matter what avenue they choose to use.

I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. When he has a voice from any person then, he can win. I want to encourage every person that seeks to exhault Jesus Christ to keep up the good work for his Glory. Flood the web, the television, the radio, the streets and highways, the mountains and valleys with all his glory.

When we lift up his name then; the Holy Spirit can teach each of us in all things and, sinners will be saved above all.

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7