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: TRUE CHRISTIAN FRIENDS.  Do you have a lot of Christian friends?  Take time to really think through that question before giving a hasty “Yes, I know a lot of Christians I would consider my friends.”  The reason why I say “Go slow” in answering because I am not referring to friends like those we have on Facebook.  I am wanting us to look at friends as it is exemplified in the Bible.  Like the relationship of David and Jonathan . . .

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1).

Like the relationship the Apostle Paul had with a rather obscure brother named Epaphroditus . . .

“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” (Philippians 2:25).

We need to make the distinction between a worldly acquaintance and a biblical friend. It is quick and easy to say, “I have friends” or “So and so are my friends” when in reality we have few friends and a lot of acquaintances.  And the difference is laid out for us in the examples of David and Jonathan, Paul and Epaphroditus.

First, Jonathan loved David as his own soul, and David reciprocated that love.  What does that mean? Think about the care we give to ourselves. We go to great lengths caring for our mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.  Even Jesus says in giving the Great Commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). This was the standard David and Jonathan used in their friendship, and to be honest, how many people in our lives are we at that level of commitment and relationship depth?  Likely few if any, and if that is the standard for friendship, then we have more acquaintances than friends.

Next, we see the Apostle Paul and Epaphroditus.  This takes friendship to a far deeper level than even David and Jonathan.  Paul would recognize three qualities in his friend Epaphroditus, and this becomes the gold standard of biblical friendship.   We read of three identities in Epaphroditus’ relationship with Paul; fellow brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier.  All points to spiritual foundations for true friendship.

“My brother” establishes spiritual intimacy in the family of God.  They share the same Heavenly Father, and the same Divine Brother in the Lord Jesus which transforms human relationships beyond the earthly.  Then Epaphroditus is recognized as Paul’s fellow worker.  This takes us into mutual labor in the Gospel.  And few things are more joy-producing and satisfying than to labor with other believers in the work of the Gospel. Finally, we read of the heart-warming relationship as fellow soldier.  What a picture of spiritual warfare locking arms with brothers and sisters in combat.  Such a relationship really cements hearts and goes way beyond just acquaintances.

So, true Christian friends.  If we measure the standard by the Bible, we will have to admit we have few, but it need not stay that way.  God wants us to establish and deepen our relationships with each other.  We are meant to travel to heaven with true Christian friends.

PRAYER: Father, help me not to be satisfied with shallow relationships with Your people.

REFLECTION:  The Christian life is to be lived in deep spiritual relationships with the Lord AND His people.