Recently, I found myself in a situation similar to Paul's. I pointed out some glaring issues in the church in the West, and not knowing to whom I spoke was taking an opposite position. His reactions were ugly, to say the least.
Paul says he rejoiced though Christ was proclaimed in pretense, which may need to be clarified for some believers. It is all too easy to have an unrealistic view of the Christian life, particularly when any teaching is overemphasized to the neglect of another. For example, in his first letter, John instructs us in chapter one to walk in the light or be transparent with ourselves and others. Some preaching within the large umbrella of the church is the gospel, but it can be pretentious and not authentic if the pastor or elder has not learned transparency and to humble himself.
How does preaching in pretense happen? If you have spent much time in the Gospels, you probably realize that Jesus Christ never gave slack to the religious leaders. He often went looking for confrontation. Why? There are several reasons, not the least of which is knowing their final condition; He led them to where they were bound to go - His betrayal. Secondly, Jesus hates hypocrisy. Switching gears to us today, when a church does not lay the groundwork for transparency and honesty so that members show up on a Sunday morning looking all clean and well-groomed but hiding some nasty behaviors, attitudes, and motives - this is hypocrisy and pretense. Furthermore, believers are to proclaim Christ for God's glory and in truth with nothing altered. Paul said some were preaching for selfish ambition, which meant their motives were pretentious.
Some churches have small groups, which can be an excellent thing, but if the same pretense is not exposed by leaders and allowed to grow and fester, then that places church members in a delusion about their salvation. The war with the world, the flesh, and the devil will rage on, but with a misunderstanding about sanctification and how to overcome temptation. A believer either correctly understands the truth or pretends to live godly. We'll think more about this subject next week.
Paul's Affliction and Humility! I feel awful sometimes knowing there are churches across our nation where preachers proclaim in pretense, not desiring to exalt Christ but the church and themselves. I am no more speaking about false prophets and wolves in sheep's clothing than was Paul in his letter. Philippians 1:15 & 17, "Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife ...the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment."
It is necessary to differentiate between false teachers and pretentious saints. The Apostle Paul cut no false prophet any more slack than Peter, James, John, or Jude. Paul brought down railing curses upon false teachers in his Galatian letter. Therefore, when he says, "...and in this I rejoice..." he cannot be speaking about unsaved pastors or teachers serving in ministry.
My dear readers, it's hard sometimes to see the truth about ourselves and others. Nevertheless, it's always best to live by Jesus' words. "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31, 32. So many brothers and sisters stop learning and searching the scriptures at the pastor's word, even when preached in pretense and falsehood. If this reality of taking a teacher over Jesus Christ were not true, there would have been fewer pages in the New Testament.
Advocate for Authenticity! Every member of Christ's body must be aware of pretentious behavior, particularly among leaders, and must pray. Then in a spirit of humility must take up the responsibility to disciple others in authenticity and truth. Humility is not an option in the Christian life; it is a necessity. The prerequisite for leadership is humility, not a degree that enlarges pride, oratory, or a gift of organization, or any such thing, but humility. Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, among those born of women, there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!" (Matthew 11:11). It was John who told his disciples that He (Jesus) must increase and I (John) must decrease. We make disciples of Christ, not ourselves.
Paul understood that well-meaning men, as they entered a relationship with Christ, could be corrupted through spiritual warfare and pride by their position in the church. He did not rejoice in pretense; he rejoiced because Christ was preached, knowing God could use a donkey to share the truth with a sinner. Notwithstanding, the gospel should be proclaimed in truth, not pretense.
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