Ever notice that even though every action that Obama takes is aimed at the suppression of free enterprise, he pretends to like free enterprise. You know that your ideas are still in the ascendancy when your enemies – who hate your ideas – pretend to support them. Your enemies’ protestations in fact reinforce your ideas.
The apostle Paul noted the same thing two thousand years ago. Paul had been arrested and was in chains in Rome when he wrote a letter to the church he founded in Philippi. While under arrest he took the opportunity to preach to the Imperial Guard. His letter to the Philippians was designed to heal divisions among the Christians there. It also made the point that the motives of those who opposed him in fact strengthened the message he was spreading.
In Phillipians, chapter 1, he says:
Be of good cheer. Thus endeth the lesson.12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.18 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.
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