Philippians 2: 19- 22.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel
Currently, we are becoming more selfish than humanity has ever known. Almost everyone looks into everything to know "what might be in it for them", before they commit to it.
We have several names for this kind of approach to things. We call it 'strategic partnership', 'strategic positioning', 'being smart', 'friends with benefit', 'convenient partnerships', 'contractual marriages' and so on and so forth
Much as some of these concepts mentioned above do not necessarily demonstrate selfishness if the parties involved agree to its terms and mutually play along, all of them fall short when compared with the expectation Jesus has for us as far as His interest is concerned.
He is love, and encourages us to love one another so that the world will know we are His. In love, there is sacrifice or giving (remember how John wrote that "God so loved the world that He GAVE"?). Whatever we give out of Love; be it our time, substance, advice, support, friendship etc, is an offering to God and He rewards us for that
But the moment we become calculative and measure our benefit before demonstrating love to humanity, then we are being selfish, self seeking and conceited. All of which are contrary to the nature of Christ.
Paul felt very blessed to have a son like Timothy who had genuine concern for the interest of the Lord's people. He was not selfish at all.
THE INTEREST OF CHRIST WAS MORE HIS PRIORITY THAN ANYTHING
The Apostle lamented that everyone was out there looking out for their own interest and not that of Jesus Christ, however Timothy had proved himself faithful to the work of the gospel
Those who seek and live the interest of Christ, engage others for the sake of the gospel; not their personal benefit. They serve and do not wait to be served, they demonstrate the agape love of God even to the most "undeserving", especially those who cannot pay them back. With every word and act, they draw attention to the JESUS IN THEIR HEARTS SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT KNOW HIM TOO AND BE BLESSED.
God blesses them too. Always lifting them very high so that they may continue to honour Him and demonstrate His love to as many as He brings their way; drawing attention to the work of the cross and the free salvation that awaits all who will believe in Christ Jesus.
Why don't you make a decision this day to make the Word of God the priority in your life? In obeying its pages, you will realise that you are living out His interest and not for your own selfishness. His reward for your faithfulness is greater than what any man can give you in appreciation for whatever love you showed to them.
There's nothing strategic about it; simply demonstrating the pure agape love of Christ the same way He demonstrated to us, while we were yet sinners Christ died as a ransom.
GOD IS YOUR FATHER
John 1:12-13 (KJV)
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The depth of your christian walk is hinged on your comprehension of sonship. The Christian who has given time to meditate the scriptures and has come to the place of being intimately aware that God is a Father to him will find Christianity as the simplest way of living. Unlike the natural man Adam who was formed from the dust of the earth, the new creature is a product of the Word, which is God. The Apostle James puts it this way "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures (James 1:8)"
John states it plainly that the Christian is the one who is born of God. As you acknowledge this biblical truth and it abides in you, your consciousness of living changes which exempts you from all forms of anxiety, worry and stress. Natural parents will provide you with your needs day by day as you make requests, but your true Father, as He begat you, all that you needed for success in living was already given you. God your Father has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. There is no blessing you need which is outside you.
Do you know it is possible to walk in absolute peace and joy all the days of your pilgrimage on earth? The secret is acknowledging God as your Father and walking in the light of this reality. Keep meditating it, declare it every minute and second. As a son, you are the rightful heir of your Father's inheritance. The son of the King of the Universe couldn't lack anything. Hallelujah!
What is essential is for you to focus on your maturity which will rightly position you to enjoy all that you have already received
PRAYER
Thank you Lord Holy Spirit for this reality which is awakened in me. I acknowledge that God is my Father and I walk in the light of this word. Thank you Father, that you have blessed me with all blessings in the name Jesus. Glory to you, blessed Father. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
1 Peter 1:23
1 John 5:1
