“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.” (Philippians 2:19-20)
Jesus had such an impact on Paul’s heart, that whenever someone saw Paul they saw Christ at work in his life. Because of the great results that come from living a Christ-like life it is no wonder then that Paul appeals to all Christians to imitate him as he imitated Christ (I Corinthians 11:1). Paul did it successfully, as every part of his conduct and speech reflected the very nature of Christ. Should not this imitation be the desire and goal of every Christian today – to let the world see Christ in us?
In our text, we see one aspect of Christ at work in Paul – his genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of the church at Philippi. Throughout his letters to the early church, Paul revealed his love and concern for each congregation. He alwasy wanted to know if their faith was strong and if they loved each other as they should. It mattered to him if their hope in Christ remained steadfast and secure and he encouraged them to share it with others through the gospel. He wanted every case of disunity addressed and corrected quickly, lest Satan use it for his advantage (I Corinthians 1:10-17). Whenever immorality was creeping into the church that also needed to be addressed as soon as possible (I Corinthians 5:1-13). Paul confronted false teachers and did so publicly, lest the brotherhood be led astray by their “persuasive words of wisdom” (I Corinthians 2:1-5; I Timothy 1:18-20).
Paul longed to meet with his brethren wherever they met. They meant everything to him as he did to them. After facing much opposition to his teachings as well as heated debate and persecution (Acts 25:1-27; 26:1-32; II Timothy 4:14-15), Paul couldn’t wait to be with those of like common faith. It was a special gathering, a meaningful one whenever he was permitted to feast on that spiritual fellowship table with his brothers and sisters in Christ (Romans 1:8-15).
Paul sent Timothy to the brethren at Philippi, hoping that their spiritual condition was just what it needed to be – that they were remaining faithful to the cause of Christ and were in no way influenced by Satan’s deceptions and schemes (II Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11). Nothing could encourage the apostle Paul and Timothy more than this, for they were cut from the same cloth.
I am challenged by that kind of concern. How about you? Do we share in it for the Lord’s church ? Is our concern as sincere and genuine as theirs? How are we expressing that concern? Is it limited to our local congregation or does it extend to the Lord’s church throughout the world? Do we pray for the church? Do we weep for her and try to encourage her in whatever way we can? How deep is our concern for her spiritual condition?
Owen Sound