Joy in Christian relationships

 

Because I’ve moved more than thirty times, making and staying in touch with people is a challenge. However, in Christian circles, there are people that seem as if we’ve known each other always. Christian fellowship is usually like that. The eternal Holy Spirit is our common bond, and His goals tie us together in a unity that is a precious and lasting gift from God.

Paul writes of his relationship with Timothy, a younger man but dear to him for several reasons. First, he was likely instrumental in Timothy’s salvation and certainly in his spiritual growth. He also trusted him to teach others as he was taught. “That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.” (1 Corinthians 4:17)

These two worked together to advance the Gospel. They were kinsmen who both considered themselves bond-slaves of Jesus Christ: “Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen” (Romans 16:21) and “Paul and Timothy, servants (bond-slaves) of Christ Jesus . . ..” (Philippians 1:1)

Paul also recognized Timothy’s love for others and his ability to edify their faith: “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” (Philippians 2:20) and “we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2)

This bond was not based on equality of skills or maturity in Christ. Timothy continued to need discipleship and instruction. He may have had problems with fear (2 Timothy 1:7-8) and with using sound words to share the truth he knew. (2 Timothy 1:13-14 and 2:15-17) Nevertheless, Paul did not neglect to stir his younger partner in the Gospel to love others and do good. (Hebrews 10:24)

As for me, I’m not like Paul yet advanced years and being a Christian for a long time puts me in a position where some of my Christian friends are also in need of discipleship and instruction. Since I am also aware of my own need, this makes our relationships mutual and more like kindred spirits than mentor/learner. I am so blessed because of God’s gift of fellow servants in Christ.

Lord God, thank You for the people in my life who pray for me, encourage me, and share truth with me. We are aware that we are not perfect, but realize that our relationship is a two-way gift from You. This week, I’ve had several people thank You for me, and it is easy to thank You for them. May we honor You in our efforts to build our friendship, but more so in our responsibility to glorify Your Name. This goal is our bond!

DO THIS: Think of at least three who are kindred spirits with me. Pray for them, but also thank them for their example to me and for sharing the same concern for the salvation and spiritual well-being of others.

 

 

Exalting the Lord — His Way . . .

 

After reading that survey yesterday about what people say makes them happy, I’ve had several thoughts. One item on the list was ‘being in control of my own life’ and while the attitude of going our own way rather than toward God is the root of sin, there are people in the world in slavery. The NT has much to say about the godly response of Christians who are slaves, however enslaving people is also sin. What then is an acceptable form of slavery? In Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, he said that he and Timothy were servants or bond-slaves of Jesus Christ.

It is interesting that evil spirits knew this. As Paul and his companions were going to a place of prayer . . .

We were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. (Acts 16:16–18)

Her words were correct, but their source was not the Holy Spirit. Why would a demon do this?

On the other hand, Paul’s goal was to exalt Christ and tell others the gospel. When he was in jail, he said:

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice. (Philippians 1:15–18)

The slave girl’s words annoyed him in contrast to those who preached to hurt him? Her words came from an evil spirit. This makes me wonder about cults and false teachers, even Christian preachers who use the right words with the wrong motives. Also, were these evil spirits trying to create the impression that they had the same interest in exalting Christ as did Paul? This is a lie!

There are many enemies of the gospel including those who twist it, those who preach it with false motives for personal gain, and those who are demonically influenced to make their evil motives seem good. I will not name names, yet some of these enemies are prominent, and draw large crowds in which some may actually be saved, but they are also making money and enjoying their power.

In contrast to the lifestyle and motivation of these enemies, the Lord said of Paul, “He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:15–16) Paul was a slave of a different kind, not to money, power, or personal gain. In fact, he gave up much:

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain . . . . But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death . . . Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Philippians 1:21; 3:7–12)

This is profound. Paul exemplifies true slavery as well as true joy. He wrote from jail. His life was filled with struggles and yet his desire to exalt Christ gave him endurance in trials. His goal remained, even when facing Satan’s tactics to appear as ‘an angel of light’ or when others tried to out-preach him while he was in prison. His focus was to glorify Jesus and share the Gospel, not a false Jesus, not a false gospel, and not with self-centered motives. I need to be discerning of teachers and speakers on radio and television, and who write books. I also need to watch that my motives and actions line up with truth and never find their source in the world’s notions, the flesh’s selfishness, or the devil’s lies.

Lord Jesus, I am blessed to understand that You want my attitude and actions to line up with Your will. ‘God-talk’ is not always about God. False teaching is subtle and everywhere. The enemy and his cohorts disguise themselves and try to look ‘Christian’ to deceive people. May You keep me from all that, that I might glorify You.

MORE: Read Exodus 15:1–21 and Psalm 99 looking for ways I can exalt the Lord.