Worship While It’s Warm

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he tells this beloved church of his that he hopes to send Timothy to them shortly apparently so he can report back to Paul and let him know how they are doing. For both he and Timothy genuinely care about what is going on with them and this will encourage Paul greatly since he is in prison at the time of his writing (3:19-20). Paul has already sent Epaphroditus, another of his fellow workers and another who has genuine concern for the Philippian church. Once again, Paul says in 3:28, that sending Epahroditus will relieve Paul upon hearing of there welfare. The same pattern is also indicated in his letter to the Colossians letting them know that Tychicus and Onesimus are on their way.

What is interesting is that Paul is writing these letters from prison. He does not have the luxury or the liberty to check on these folks. But he is so concerned about what is going on with them, that he makes every effort to see that people are sent to check on them and report back how they are doing. If I was in prison I am not so sure I would be that concerned about how others are doing. But Paul does because I think that first that he understands one thing, that I am becoming increasingly mindful of and that is that people matter.

I find that dealing with people is often challenging. People can be selfish, stubborn, disagreeable, delusional and short sighted. Above all, people can be hurtful. I confess that I can be a bit of a hermit and have little problem with reclusiveness, especially if the alternate is deal with people that for whatever reason would cause some degree of friction or discomfort. It’s more comfortable to be in front of my computer with my books (aka my throne) and learn away. But by doing so not only am I missing out on life’s greatest blessings but I am also shortchanging my Christian walk.

People are at the heart of God’s concerns. It was not sufficient just for God to create the heavens and earth, the sun, moon and stars. Man was needed. People were needed and so the earth was populated. After the flood, God indicates in Genesis 8:21 that He will never curse the ground on account of man.

If I live to myself, I am not really living. For God is relational and created us as relational beings. For when we come to Christ, it is not so we can become regenerate and individualistic. No, we then become members of the body of Christ, a piece of the whole. We are commended to think of others better than ourselves, to look after the welfare of others, to do good to others, to pray for others and above all, to love. When another hurts it should have an impact on us. This is why I believe that gossip and partiality are so insidious because it significantly undermines the relational connection we are to have with one another. When we cut others in this manner not only are we bruising the body but we are essentially saying that people don’t matter.

It is not for doctrine or denominations or buildings that Christ died, but it is for people that God loves and calls to himself. We have many disagreements within the body of Christ and yes, we are called to shun doctrine that does not align with essentials of our Christian faith. But in the process, we don’t shun people because above all, people matter.

(I promise I will get back to my testimony)