Working for Christ

"because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me."

– Philippians 2:30

Exposition:

        According to what is revealed in the book of Philippians, one of the principal ways how Epaphroditus laboured for the work of Christ is his service toward Apostle Paul (Phil. 2:25, 30). He brought gifts from Philippi to Rome, where Paul was imprisoned (Phil.4:15, 18; 1:13). We may be tempted to think delivering a gift was not a big deal, well, there were no aeroplanes those days, the journey alone must have been a hard one. Furthermore, Apostle Paul wrote about him quite favourably contrary to what he thought of a man like Demas.

        Epaphroditus could have done a lot of things for the furtherance of the Gospel, but what we know for certain is his service to Paul, and in doing so, he even got sick almost unto death (Phil. 2:27). The work of Christ, we are called to do, is not only to proclaim the Gospel to those who are lost. In fact, God has given the church gifted people to proclaim His words to the unreached, and not many of us are called to do this. Each one of us is given a gift from Christ for His work. We have to use our gift diligently and joyfully. Any work we do in the ministry for the edification of the body of Christ is a legitimate work for Christ.

        Are you accompanying a fiery preacher in a revival? Are you attending the needs of a sick brother at home or in a hospital? Are you raising funds for the cause of ministry? Are you sweeping the floor of a church? Are those not for the work of Christ? We have seen it from Epaphroditus.

Personal Reflection:

·       Am I delighted with any work of the ministry as much as in preaching God's word to a lost sinner?

·       Am I treating every worker of the ministry as a specialist (masterpiece) of God?

Personal Commitment:

·       I must practice not only to appreciate all kind of works in a ministry but also to delight in any work I come across.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to do my work to please You, and not to please the eyes of man, Amen!

Considering Other's Right

“But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.”

– Philemon 14

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely” is unfortunately what we see in the world, but Apostle Paul has modelled for us in honesty, equity, and modesty in this verse. Onesimus, a runaway slave of Philemon encountered Paul in a prison, became a Christian, and ministered to him. Paul considered the whole episode to be the providence of God, and therefore, would like to keep Onesimus with him for the sake of ministry, especially seeing that he is fulfilling what his master Philemon would want to do for Paul.

Onesimus, like anyone, needed conversion. Paul needed somebody to minister to him in a prison. Apostle Paul considered Philemon, his convert, to be a brother and partner in the gospel. Onesimus being a Christian now must be considered a brother by Philemon also, even as a partner, since he served Paul on his behalf. Apostle Paul, with all his wisdom, authority, and the providence of God, could have kept Onesimus without consulting Philemon, or even commanded him what to do. Instead, Paul asked him to receive Onesimus like it was him. Paul didn't even tell Philemon what other good deeds he should be doing, although he gave him hints — to send Onesimus back to him. Paul did not annul the authority of Philemon, rather he entrusted him to do what seemed best, trusting his voluntary decision.

Are you a one-man leader or do you consult the consent (not to mention the wisdom) of other workers in a decision-making process? It's okay to expect others to do the right thing; it's better if they do it voluntarily; it's wonderful if they do it voluntarily and gladly. Would you practice considering the rights of others as well, and not being obsessed with your own rights?

My Bible Reading Plan (Rongmei Version/Translation)

Importance of Good Works

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”

– Titus 3:8

Some people have accused Christians that we are so heavenly-minded that we have not done any earthly good. That is a lie. Indeed, Christians are the only people free from the power of sin to do all good works to the glory of God. Paul instructed Titus to remind believers that we are to be ready for and be diligent in every good work. It is not because we will be saved by good works, rather we are already saved from our evil and sinful deeds by the kindness of God. We are already made new and therefore our works must be good as evidence of our conversion.

We are to constantly remind ourselves that the wrath of God is upon the evil workers. We aren't supposed to be doing the things which God has saved us from. There is no neutral ground: either our work is good and pleasing to God or evil and grieves the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, good works are profitable for all people, both believers and unbelievers. Good works serve as a great testimony for evangelism, because our good works aren't done for our self-accolades, but because we know it is the will of God. They strike the conscience of people because unbelievers live for their own pleasures according to their own standard of righteousness.

On the negative side, those who aren't cultivating good works are mere professors. They profess to know God but deny Him in their works. They are to be warned, and even be rejected in accordance with their works. Faithful Christianity maintains good works; false Christianity oppresses others for its selfish gain. Are we growing weary in good works? Remember, we are made for them. Professor, is there a change of desire, a change of pursuit, a change of fruit, and a change of hope of eternal life after your profession of faith? Examine yourself whether you are a true believer or not!