When speaking of family most are talking about those who are related by the blood that runs through their veins. I have met those who count this as the tie that binds them, and no matter what the circumstances, they are loyal to those people. They will defend them even when they are wrong. They will stand by them when it is clear the relative needs to suffer the consequences of their wrongdoing. I guess if we think about it, we are all blood relatives since Adam is the father of all of mankind, but today I want us to think about the blood that truly binds us together. If we are a Christian this would be the blood of Jesus. This would be the family that we chose, not one we are physically birthed into and have no choice who it is, but the one we are spiritually birthed into by the blood that was sacrificed for our sins.
In Philippians 2:19-30, we find Paul speaking of two such men that are family members by the blood of Jesus. Timothy, who he speaks of as a son, and Epaphroditus as a brother. These were men that Paul loved as one would love a family into which they were born. The only mention of Paul’s family by birth is in Acts 23:16. His nephew was allowed into the Roman castle where Paul was being held as a prisoner to warn them of the Jews plot to kill Paul.
Act 23:16 “And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.”
After Paul’s conversion his mission in life changed and his companions were those who were like minded in the cause of Christ. When speaking of Timothy in Philippians 2:19, he is preparing to send Timothy to minister to the Philippian church. He speaks of his confidence in Timothy to let him know the status of the church. In the next verse he calls Timothy “likeminded.” Paul is saying that he and Timothy have the same desires for the faith, the same love for the church, and the same goals in life. They are so much alike and so entrenched in their desire to obey and share Christ that he refers to him as a son. In other words, we are family. Family bound by the blood of Jesus.
Philippians 2:19-24 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.”
In the following verses of this chapter, we see another person that Paul counted as family. He is sending Epaphroditus to them. Epaphroditus had been sick, word had gotten back to the church, and they were worried about him. Paul tells them of his sickness the same as any of us would express the situation to a family member. Why does he give them details of his sickness? Because they were all family in Christ, and family genuinely cares about the details. Paul understands that their concern and worry will not cease until they can see Epaphroditus for themselves. He knows it will bring them immense joy to embrace this brother in the faith that they had been so concerned about. Paul loved them as family and when they hurt, he hurt for them.
Philippians 2:25-30 “Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
What do we learn from this passage? It is no accident that Paul refers to these men as a son and a brother. He is teaching us that we are to love other believers as we do our own relatives by birth. Therefore, we should care for them as our own. We are to defend them, pray for them, and help any way we can to relieve their burdens. We should be likeminded and embrace our likeness instead of focusing on our differences. If every believer related to other believers this way, there would be no church splits. We would not only embrace our likeness we would willingly accept admonition. If we would love the way Christ loves, we would trust one another and work together for the betterment of the family of God. This is the desire of Christ. We will not win the world by acting like the world. We will not win the world by being critical of the body especially to the unsaved. Love is attractive, and when a church treats each other as family others take notice.
I have lived in many states as an adult and been involved in many churches. Each move brought me a new family to work, share, and worship with. When we have moved it hasn’t changed my love for those left behind, because these are my family by the blood that matters, the blood of Jesus! I’m thankful for a large family that God has given me. I rejoice when I hear from each one. I long for the day we will all be in Heaven together and we can rejoice face to face forever.
Excellent