Living As A Servant: Now In This Life

But you know his proven character,

that as a son with his father he 

served with me in the gospel.
Therefore I hope to send him 

at once, as soon as I see how 

it goes with me. 

But I trust in the Lord that I

myself shall also come shortly.

Philippians 2:22-24

     The Philippian Church being the first of the Churches Paul founded in Macedonia had special love and feeling for them and cared for them as a father cares for his children. This love and care can be read in the opening verses of this letter. Timothy who shared Paul's desire to care for the Church had a great love for the Gospel, to spread the Gospel, to aid the brothers and sisters in their growing sanctification that Paul would send him to the Philippians. Paul wanted to come but being in Rome as a prisoner awaiting trial that he had requested to have as a Roman citizen needed to stay and finish what had begun. How this was to work out had yet to be determined but Paul sent Timothy to do what he at the moment could not do. His hope was that in time he would be able to come to them. Timothy shared preaching the Gospel with Paul and we too have need of fellow workers to share with us as we intentionally spend time sharing the Gospel. Some of the Philippian Church had succumbed to their own way, a Gospel that was not the true Gospel that Paul had imparted to them and he wanted to come to straighten this out but could not so he sent a trusted brother in Jesus Christ. Are you a trusted brother in Jesus Christ ready to be sent where you are needed? There is great need in the world, both at home and abroad, or are you too wrapped up to be successful in this life, to have what this culture says that you should have: "The American Dream." The dream is not a dream when it comes to Authentic Christian Faith for there is reality and that reality is that this world is not your home, your home is in heaven, now, legally you are there, and until you arrive in heaven you, being an ambassador for Jesus Christ, have work to do. There are Churches that need help, help to return to the truth of Scripture that is not of a man's theology. You are not in prison as was Paul, but your desire must be the same: the spreading of the Gospel. Who will go? Will it be you? 

     Paul had another helper: Epaphroditus, and Paul called him a brother, a fellow worker, and fellow soldier, and their messenger sent to Paul who aided him by ministering to Paul's needs. Epaphroditus became ill, and longed to return to Philippi, and due to God's mercy he became well once again and Paul rejoiced in his recovery. The Philippian Church were instructed by Paul to receive Epaphroditus: "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphorditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need, since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service towards me" (Philippians 2:25-30). 

     If you went away, especially to do the work of Jesus Christ, would you be esteemed for your effort under any circumstance that may befall you, that you are an Authentic Christian holding fast to Authentic Christian Faith? Will your work for the Lord Jesus Christ be a joy to know about by others as they see the fruit of your labors? Or, are you seeking self-acclamation and self-aggrandizement for being successful in your secular work. It is good to do well in secular work and receive good things from it, but is this your highest priority? God is pleased when a person puts Him first, the highest of all priorities. Not for personal gain, you have that, you are legally in heaven, and nothing, no one can take that away from you. Will you live as what you are and to whom you belong? We all must answer that question. May it be true of you as it was about Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Many waters cannot quench love,

     Nor can he floods drown it.

If a man would give for love

     all the wealth of his house,

it would be utterly despised.

       Song of Solomon 8:7

Now is the time to serve God

Richard L. Crumb