He Risked His Life
I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for
your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests,
not those of Jesus Christ. 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. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
But
I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus,
my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you
sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you
and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on
him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the
more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I
may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and
honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked
his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Philippians 2:20-30
There
is a kind of love that is more honorable than having great knowledge or faith.
This kind of love is hard to find, and sometimes we put ourselves ahead of
Jesus Christ. We care more for our own interests than those of Jesus.
If
we think we could never put our life on the line for others, the Bible shows us
that it is entirely possible. Our love for Jesus can be greater than any other
love we will ever enjoy. Just remember that kind of love can only come from
Jesus, it doesn’t come from us. It comes
from the Spirit of God, who can give us the desire and ability to feel for
others some of the inexpressible affection God has for us.
You can measure your love for God by showing your love for
others.
Our Daily Bread –