Love: A New Commandment - a Journey in PhilippiansSample

Love training?

In our culture love is often described as something that happens to you, a feeling that just comes over you. Sure, loving will involve our emotions. Remember Jesus looking at people and being moved with compassion? To focus only on emotions, though, is not a very loving thing to do. It doesn’t help people to grow in love.

It was very common in the world Paul lived in to write letters of recommendation. The Philippians trusted Paul and Paul recommends Timothy in this letter. But why did Paul trust Timothy? Because of his holiness or devotion in prayer or great teaching ability? Paul recommends Timothy because he is genuinely concerned for the welfare of other people. Timothy wasn’t in it for himself. Think back to the poem and the mind of Christ. Seeking the interests of Jesus lines up with caring for Jesus’ people.

In those days sons were trained by working with their fathers. Many businesses were family-owned, with sons learning the trade from their fathers to continue the business. This partnership between a father and son-in-training is what Paul and Timothy shared. Timothy’s training went so well that Paul trusted him. What was this family business? The Kingdom of God. What’s the trade? Not looking out for your own interests but that of others.

And this way of thinking and living isn’t just a feeling that comes and goes. It takes training. We don’t earn anything through training. We develop what has been given to us.

Think of an athlete. Get into a training mindset. Stop waiting for something to come over you. Stop trying to be more loving. Start training. Note the joy and rejoicing in Paul. That can be true in your life as well. There are Christians who aren’t trained well. They still think more about their own interests than the family business. We don’t know to whom Paul refers, but let’s ensure the same cannot be said of us.

Reflection Question

How and where can I train in caring for others?

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you care about the interests of your people. Help me not only to receive your love but train me in caring for the interests of others. Amen.