summary

Phillip Johnson reflects on Paul’s teaching that real Christianity is marked by genuine love, sincere motives, humble service, and a refusal to seek personal credit. Drawing on passages from Corinthians, Philippians, Romans, and Revelation, this devotional offers questions for examining why we serve and whose glory we seek.

keywords

real Christianity, genuine love, Christian motives, humility, service, Apostle Paul, devotional, 2 Corinthians 6, Philippians 1, Romans 12:9

key topics

Phillip Johnson contrasts Paul’s sincere ministry with false teachers who used the Corinthian church to advance themselves.

The phrase “genuine love” means love without hypocrisy, mixed motives, or self-seeking.

Philippians 1 describes people preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, while Paul distinguishes them from those motivated by goodwill and love.

Romans 12:9 calls Christians to let love be genuine, reject evil, and hold fast to what is good.

Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9 links growing love with knowledge and discernment, including honest examination of motives.

Paul’s hardships in 2 Corinthians 11 illustrate a ministry shaped by concern for others rather than personal branding.

Revelation 22:9 models humble service: even the angel redirects worship to God.

A practical self-check: Would you still do the work if no one knew or gave you credit?

takeaways

“Love that is pure, transparent, and free from mixed motives.”

“That is the mark of real Christianity.”

“The moment the messenger becomes more important than the message, something has gone terribly wrong.”

“Love must grow, but it must grow in knowledge and discernment.”

“Why am I doing this? Whose name am I advancing? Whose applause am I seeking?”

“This is not the resume of a man building a personal brand.”

“Real Christianity is willing to suffer so that others may stand acceptable before God.”

“The credit belongs to God. The glory belongs to God. The worship belongs to God.”

“Would you still live it, say it, do it if no one ever knew?”

“Much more can be accomplished for the kingdom when we stop worrying about who gets the credit.”

key frameworks

Genuine love as love without hypocrisy

Self-examination questions for motives: What am I doing, whose name am I advancing, and whose applause am I seeking?

The no-credit test: Would you still serve if no one knew or thanked you?

sound bites

"Let love be genuine."

"Whose applause am I seeking?"

"May our love be genuine"

Chapters

00:00 Introducing the devotional on real Christianity

00:36 Paul confronts counterfeit Christianity in Corinth

01:32 Genuine love without hypocrisy or self-interest

02:29 Envy and selfish ambition in preaching

04:07 Let love be genuine, with knowledge and discernment

05:34 Paul’s hardships reveal love put into action

07:11 A servant’s posture: give the glory to God

08:07 The no-credit test for sincere service

09:08 Closing prayer and encouragement

“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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