Philippians 2:29-30 (NASBStr)
Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Who do you admire and why do you admire them? The world admires athletes, Hollywood, politicians, soldiers, civil servants and people of wealth. Not everyone in this list is bad or absent of something to admire. However, this is NOT the criteria for admiration. We ought to admire, according to Paul's words in the above passage, those who give their lives in service for the King; Jesus Christ. Epahroditus, whom Paul is referring to in this section, is a man of God Paul is sending to the Philippian believers. He sending Epahroditus because Timothy was unavailable. Paul wanted to send Timothy but apparently Timothy was not able to go. So, with that reasoning in mind, Paul is telling them and us to admire his second choice. The Philippians were concerned about Epahroditus because he was sick and almost dead of the sickness. Paul tells them that he is alive and why: Because God has mercy on him. Now Paul wants men everywhere to admire him and those like him. We are to hold "such" men in high regard. Those who give their lives in service for the cause of Christ ought to trump anyone else we admire in this life. Giving our respect and submission to God's servants is pleasing to God. There are plenty of men we can admire and should. But, we are to hold in high regard the man who has giving their lives in sacrifice for the King.
No comments:
Post a Comment