The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Philippians 2:20-21,
"I have no one else like him [Timothy], who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ."
Paul makes a startling observation about his team. He says he had no one else like Timothy. Timothy will show "genuine concern for your welfare." Apparently, not so much for the others. In light of that and although he was sending one of their own back to them, Epaphroditus, he hoped he would be able to send Timothy to the Philippian church soon.
Timothy modeled in his own life something that was important to Paul and expressed in this letter to the church in Philippi. He desired this fellowship to work and play together well. To avoid factions and dissensions. "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." Philippians 1:27-28a. "Striving together as one... "
Paul also said to them, "make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:2-4. He also had a message to two individuals in the fellowship, "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord." Philippians 4:2.
"I have no one else like him [Timothy], who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ."
Paul makes a startling observation about his team. He says he had no one else like Timothy. Timothy will show "genuine concern for your welfare." Apparently, not so much for the others. In light of that and although he was sending one of their own back to them, Epaphroditus, he hoped he would be able to send Timothy to the Philippian church soon.
Timothy modeled in his own life something that was important to Paul and expressed in this letter to the church in Philippi. He desired this fellowship to work and play together well. To avoid factions and dissensions. "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." Philippians 1:27-28a. "Striving together as one... "
Paul also said to them, "make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:2-4. He also had a message to two individuals in the fellowship, "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord." Philippians 4:2.
Timothy had genuine concern for the welfare of the fellowship.
"Stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one".
Be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."
"In humility value others above yourselves"
Look to the "interests of the others."
Be "of the same mind in the Lord."
I think I see a pattern there, how about you? How can I model this outlook in my own life today?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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