PHILIPPIANS 2:25 – I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.
THEME OF THE DAY. THE EPAPHRODITUS-LIKE CHRISTIAN. This man is my spiritual role model. I know the Apostle Paul stands tallest as the greatest Christian ever to live. And throughout church history, I am sure many of us have “heroes” we admire. I do. Jonathan Edwards is my hero when it comes to a self-disciplined life. Samuel Rutherford is my hero when it comes to a passion for spiritual affection for Christ. And Robert Murray Mc’Cheyne is my hero when it comes to the pursuit of personal holiness. But Epaphroditus is my spiritual role model. We don’t know much about him. He is mentioned twice in the Bible; in today’s scripture and chapter four of the same book – “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). Though he doesn’t get a lot of press, his example is one of the finest of what a New Testament Christian is to be like. The Apostle Paul sure valued this dear brother in the Lord. He overflows with praise, not flattery, for Epaphroditus’ influence and help in his life. And if we want to model what our Bibles define as a disciple of Jesus Christ, then here is our model. To be an Epaphroditus-Christian is to be a Biblical Christian and that includes men and women. There are five things Paul says of this man of God, and we will focus on the first three in describing the Biblical Christian – my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier.
First, a biblical Christian develops spiritual relationship with other Christians of depth in sharing and life-on-life investments – “my brother.” This goes beyond a “see ya Sunday” type relationship. Being a Christian is a family and community journey. God never designed it be lived on the peripheral. He demands and commands we practice the over fifty “one another” scriptures and that means spiritual intimacy as family members.
Next, a biblical Christian participates in the work of the Gospel with other Christians – “my fellow worker.” This doesn’t mean “hands on” together, but it does mean “hands together” in the work of the Gospel. And when it comes to the work of the Gospel, the most important is laboring in prayer together for the souls of men and women, boys and girls, and for God to revive His church. Simply stated, biblical Christians pray together for the furtherance of God’s kingdom.
Finally, a biblical Christian engages in spiritual warfare with other Christians – “fellow soldier.” This does not mean walking around neighborhoods or cities rebuking the devil. It means being comrades in arms sharing our burdens, struggles, victories, and defeats. It also extends to mutual encouragement to remind ourselves we are in a war, enlisted in the Lord’s army, and call to arms against the Lord’s enemies. And like in literal military organizations, the depth of intimacy and care for fellow warriors in the Lord’s spiritual forces is wonderful, uplifting, and takes us into a spiritual fellowship of joy that is foreign to “civilians”.
In the Apostle Paul’s life, God gave him Epaphroditus and what an encourager and helper he proved to be to Paul. Are there any Epaphroditus-like Christians in our lives? Better yet, are we seeking to build relationships with other Christians to be Epaphroditus-like to them? We must because to be Epaphroditus-like is to be a Biblical Christian.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to move out of my comfort zone and develop deep spiritual relationships with your people.”
QUOTE: “Christians not investing in the lives of other Christians, don’t understand Biblical Christianity.”