2 CORINTHIANS 7:13 – “Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.”
THEME OF THE DAY: THE REFRESHING CHRISTIAN. Today’s scripture should cause us to pause and think. There is much contained in this one verse worthy of contemplation, but for our purposes, we want to home in on two – Titus and the Christians at Corinth. The Apostle Paul doesn’t give much detail about Titus. He does imply he needed some spiritual help. We might even say he suffered “the spiritual blues” or maybe even the experience of the Psalmist – “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation” (Psalm 42:5). Now before you think that I may be stretching this scripture to say something it doesn’t, what does the Apostle Paul commend the Corinthians for doing in Titus’ life? They refreshed his spirit. Evidently, his spirit needed refreshment.
The weight of ministry, the warfare against the devil, and the weakness of the flesh all have a draining impact on Christians, and Titus experienced all three. So do we. We know those seasons of “spiritual blues” that often lead to sleepless nights, fatigue in doing good, and the reality of our remaining sin bringing upon us a downcast or depressed heart. When we enter those painful experiences, we need refreshing Christians in our lives. Like the Corinthians. Like Philemon – “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (Philemon 7). We also need to be that type of Christian for others. So, what defines a refreshing Christian? At least two things. First, a close walk with Jesus. The fundamental necessity to spiritually refresh other believers is to be regularly refreshed by Jesus Himself. It is our individual walks with the Lord that equip us for fruitful and encouraging ministry to fellow pilgrims on the journey to heaven. Our Lord said, “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’”. Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37-39). Jesus is referring to the living water of the Spirit of God. Left to ourselves, we only can give “stale waters” to others, not the refreshing truth and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Refreshing Christians are close to Christ. He flows through them to others.
A second thing in the life of a refreshing Christian is the noticeable absence of self-interests. In conversations, this type of believer displays a genuine interest in others and bring no attention to themselves. Think about it for a moment. Believers who want to talk about themselves, how God is using them, and dominate conversations with “I, me, my and mine” are not refreshing companions. They are those people we endure their presence, not enjoy their presence. The Apostle Paul describes a refreshing Christian in Timothy by this characteristic – “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” (Philippians 2:19-20). Refreshing Christians concern themselves with the welfare of others far ahead of themselves and self-interests.
So, who are we? Are we the type of Christians who refresh other Christians when they are struggling? To be so is our privilege and responsibility. May we be so close to Jesus that we are becoming those followers of Him who are like a cold refreshing drink of water to parched and needy souls around us!
PRAYER: Father, help me to be a source of spiritual refreshment to every Christian I encounter.
REFLECTION: Christians should enjoy our presence, not have to endure our presence.