"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!