Love: A New Commandment - a Journey in PhilippiansНамуна

“Celebrities”

We don’t know what it’s like to have no way of knowing how a person is doing except through a sent messenger or letter. Paul goes for both to tell the church in Philippi what happened to Epaphroditus. You see, prisoners depended on support from friends or family to survive. This church partnered with Paul in the Gospel, so they sent Epaphroditus to support him in prison.

For various reasons, it was a dangerous journey. (More about the money involved later in the letter). Epaphroditus also risked his reputation by supporting an “enemy of the state” in prison. In the Roman Empire’s culture of honour and shame, this would have raised many eyebrows. Then he also became very ill. No quick miracle here. Thank God he eventually got better, otherwise, Paul would have had sorrow upon sorrow. And Epaphroditus? His concern is for the people back home who are worried about him. Thinking about the Gospel and others. Sound familiar? Paul commands that we celebrate such people.

Celebrity culture is a big thing in our world. The people that are celebrated mirror the culture that celebrates them. Like fish in water, we live in a consumer-driven society. Everything is about “what’s in it for me?” Even to think that there is a joyous way to be human that doesn’t revolve around me may feel like the fish is being taken out of the water. Actually, that pond has been polluted and God saved us - he placed us in Christ, the ocean of his love.

People like Epaphroditus and Timothy show the culture in Christ - put the Gospel and other people above your own interests. Simple and straightforward. Still, Paul needs to emphasise these examples, because there are many Christians who don’t think and live this way. In our love training we need examples. We need other people to train with. We need church. There are things that you can develop by yourself. Love isn’t one of them.

Reflection Question

Who inspires me to train in this Christ culture?

Prayer:

Thank you, Father, that you establish your kingdom in this world. Thank you for giving me examples in the Bible and in my life to inspire me. Thank you for church. Strengthen your culture in us, and use your church to impact the culture where I live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.