Articles
What Would You Do for the Cause of Christ - Acts 16
What Would You Do for the Cause of Christ - Acts 16
How many times has the old discussion come up about how I would jump on the grenade if it was tossed into our foxhole? Usually over lunch in some air-conditioned restaurant. But as the old adage goes – the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
We learn here in Acts 16 that Paul decides, for the cause of Christ, that Timothy needs to be circumcised. Easy for Paul. Timothy? Would I? Would you? In an era when MY privileges are to be held onto at all costs, this action of Timothy seems unthinkable! For so many today, even the situation of being inconvenienced is rejected.
Later, Paul would write of Timothy: “(19) But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. (20) For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. (21) For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:19-21).
How many church problems would have been averted if only those involved had this mind of Timothy? In this, Timothy is simply demonstrating the very mind of Jesus, which we ALL are instructed to develop: “ (1) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, (2) make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. (3) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;” (Philippians 2:1-3).
Do you really regard your brethren as more important than yourself? Do you really seek their interests over your own? Do seek the interests of Christ over your own? We need more Timothys.
Hugh DeLong
