DRAWING NEAR
February 4
The Joy of Kindred Spirits
"Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:1).
Despite their shortcomings, people of kindred spirit are precious
gifts from the Lord.
Timothy was Paul's trusted companion in the gospel. In Philippians
2:20 Paul describes him as a man "of kindred spirit." That is, they
were likeminded, sharing the same love for Christ and His church.
Elsewhere Paul described Timothy as his beloved and faithful child in
the Lord (1 Cor. 4:17) and fellow worker in the gospel of Christ
(Rom. 16:21; 1 Thess. 3:2). Those are significant compliments coming
from Paul, whose standard of ministry and personal integrity was very
high.
However, as godly and useful as Timothy was, he apparently struggled
with many of the same weaknesses we face. For example, 2 Timothy
implies he might have been intimidated by the false teachers who
challenged his leadership (1:7). He perhaps was somewhat ashamed of
Christ (1:8) and tempted to alter his theology to avoid offending
those who disagreed with sound doctrine (1:13-14). He might have been
neglecting his studies in the Word (2:15) and succumbing to ungodly
opinions (2:16-17). Other struggles are implied as well.
Paul wrote to strengthen Timothy's spiritual character and encourage
him to persevere in the face of severe trials.
Despite those apparent weaknesses, Paul valued Timothy highly and
entrusted enormous ministerial responsibilities to him. In addition,
Timothy's friendship and ministry was a source of great joy and
strength to Paul.
I pray that you have people of kindred spirit in your life-- brothers
and sisters in Christ who encourage you, pray for you, and hold you
accountable to God's truth. Like Timothy, they may not be all you
want them to be, but they are precious gifts from God. Esteem them
highly and pray for them often. Do everything you can to reciprocate
their ministry in your life.
If perhaps you lack such friends, seek the fellowship of a local
church where Christ is exalted, His Word is taught, and holy living
is encouraged. Build relationships with mature Christians who will
stimulate you to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24).
Suggestions for Prayer:
Identify three people who are of kindred spirit with you. Pray for
them and tell them how much you appreciate their examples and
ministries.
For Further Study:
Read 2 Timothy 1:1-14.
What were Paul's admonitions to Timothy? How might they apply to you?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
1 Corinthians 4:17
For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and
faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ,
as I teach everywhere in every church.
Romans 16:21
Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my
countrymen, greet you.
1 Thessalonians 3:2
and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow
laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you
concerning your faith
2 Timothy 2:15-17
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who
does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to
more ungodliness.
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus
are of this sort
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good
works
2 Timothy 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to
the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the
Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my
forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers
night and day,
4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I
may be filled with joy,
5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which
dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am
persuaded is in you also.
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you
through the laying on of my hands.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of
love and of a sound mind.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of
me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel
according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according
to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was
given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus
Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to
light through the gospel,
11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of
the Gentiles.
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not
ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is
able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from
me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy
Spirit who dwells in us.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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