Desire To Have A Proven Character
God’s grace and peace be yours this day!
Today we come to a discussion about who we are as Christians in the world. What does it mean to be faithful in all that we do. Also, what does it mean to be faithful in our service to God and our witness of Him.
Paul has already told the Philippian Christians that he will be sending Timothy to them very soon. 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 (Philippians 2:19). He now speaks directly of what they know of Timothy and of his faithfulness before God.
Paul says this, But you know of his proven character, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly. Philippians 2:22-24
Paul makes two statements concerning Timothy which we would do well to understand. First, Timothy is a man of “proven character.” Second, he served Paul like a “child serving his father.” These two statements speak of commitment, love, and devotion which are qualities largely missing in our world today.
What does it mean to have a proven character? Here is what a simple search for the definition will tell you.
Proven character is a term used to describe a quality of having stood the test. It is a mature and complete faith that has been tested and approved. The term is often used in the context of Christianity, where it refers to the heart of a Christian with proven character, who has stood strong through tribulations, testing, and trials.
In every place where Paul ministered, he experienced trials. There were those who opposed the message of the Gospel from the Jewish Synagogue. There were many who opposed Paul from the pagan temples. Government officials, who were themselves pagans, used their positions and authority to work against Paul and his ministry. Every step of the way as Paul was facing various hardships, Timothy was there by his side.
Timothy had proven himself many times over that he could be trusted. It is because of this that Paul is confident in sending him to Philippi to serve and then return with verified truth concerning the situation there. Remember, in every church throughout the 1st century, and beyond, the devil was working to pervert the Gospel. Often the method used was a perversion of the truth with a believable and convincing lie. Timothy would be responsible for clarifying the true Gospel and opposing those who were preaching a perverted message for personal gain.
Paul then speaks of Timothy serving him as a son. He says, he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. There is a lot which could be said here but there needs to be some foundational statements made first!
The role of a parent in relation to their child is one of love and devotion. It is not the intent of God for a parent to be in the business of raising and providing for their child for their entire life. Nor is this dynamic to be reversed. The child learns life from the parent and then, when the time is right, the child leaves the nest, so to speak, and begins to live on their own.
In the Jewish culture it would be the oldest son who would inherit the family business and thus would be responsible for caring for the parents in their old age. This was always done with a view to independence on the part of both parties but a love and devotion for one another.
Timothy had made a choice in his life to come alongside Paul and serve with him and even take care of him at times, be it when Paul needed physical assistance or when he was suffering and imprisoned. Like a firstborn son, Timothy has been faithful to follow Paul’s lead and then at times to take the lead when needed.
In this instance, as Paul expresses the desire to send Timothy to Philippi, he will go on Paul’s behalf and with the message and authority of Paul backing him. This action on Paul’s part will place Timothy in the bullseye of the opponents of the Gospel. He will face criticism and hardship as he seeks to confront the error in the church and those who are serving for their own personal ends.
What we see in the life of Timothy is still a common practice today. When the Gospel is being perverted, anyone who stands up for the truth and opposes the false teachers will be targeted and that person will experience hardship.
For many of us, our own recent experiences in the UMC are evidence of this. To oppose the errors, lies, and false doctrine came at a price. The desire to hold people accountable to the truth of God’s Word meant sacrifice and hardship. A parting of ways became the only plausible solution!
Paul ends this section by expressing a heartfelt desire to come to Philippi and renew relationships as soon as possible. He expresses his confidence that God will open the way to allow this to happen.
So, what is our takeaway from this text? I would commit to you the Word of God as an application of this text in our lives. But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” Luke 9:62. To be of proven character is to be faithful to God in all things from our family life to our service in the kingdom. May it be so for all of us!
In Christ,
Pastor Russ
Today we come to a discussion about who we are as Christians in the world. What does it mean to be faithful in all that we do. Also, what does it mean to be faithful in our service to God and our witness of Him.
Paul has already told the Philippian Christians that he will be sending Timothy to them very soon. 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 (Philippians 2:19). He now speaks directly of what they know of Timothy and of his faithfulness before God.
Paul says this, But you know of his proven character, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly. Philippians 2:22-24
Paul makes two statements concerning Timothy which we would do well to understand. First, Timothy is a man of “proven character.” Second, he served Paul like a “child serving his father.” These two statements speak of commitment, love, and devotion which are qualities largely missing in our world today.
What does it mean to have a proven character? Here is what a simple search for the definition will tell you.
Proven character is a term used to describe a quality of having stood the test. It is a mature and complete faith that has been tested and approved. The term is often used in the context of Christianity, where it refers to the heart of a Christian with proven character, who has stood strong through tribulations, testing, and trials.
In every place where Paul ministered, he experienced trials. There were those who opposed the message of the Gospel from the Jewish Synagogue. There were many who opposed Paul from the pagan temples. Government officials, who were themselves pagans, used their positions and authority to work against Paul and his ministry. Every step of the way as Paul was facing various hardships, Timothy was there by his side.
Timothy had proven himself many times over that he could be trusted. It is because of this that Paul is confident in sending him to Philippi to serve and then return with verified truth concerning the situation there. Remember, in every church throughout the 1st century, and beyond, the devil was working to pervert the Gospel. Often the method used was a perversion of the truth with a believable and convincing lie. Timothy would be responsible for clarifying the true Gospel and opposing those who were preaching a perverted message for personal gain.
Paul then speaks of Timothy serving him as a son. He says, he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. There is a lot which could be said here but there needs to be some foundational statements made first!
The role of a parent in relation to their child is one of love and devotion. It is not the intent of God for a parent to be in the business of raising and providing for their child for their entire life. Nor is this dynamic to be reversed. The child learns life from the parent and then, when the time is right, the child leaves the nest, so to speak, and begins to live on their own.
In the Jewish culture it would be the oldest son who would inherit the family business and thus would be responsible for caring for the parents in their old age. This was always done with a view to independence on the part of both parties but a love and devotion for one another.
Timothy had made a choice in his life to come alongside Paul and serve with him and even take care of him at times, be it when Paul needed physical assistance or when he was suffering and imprisoned. Like a firstborn son, Timothy has been faithful to follow Paul’s lead and then at times to take the lead when needed.
In this instance, as Paul expresses the desire to send Timothy to Philippi, he will go on Paul’s behalf and with the message and authority of Paul backing him. This action on Paul’s part will place Timothy in the bullseye of the opponents of the Gospel. He will face criticism and hardship as he seeks to confront the error in the church and those who are serving for their own personal ends.
What we see in the life of Timothy is still a common practice today. When the Gospel is being perverted, anyone who stands up for the truth and opposes the false teachers will be targeted and that person will experience hardship.
For many of us, our own recent experiences in the UMC are evidence of this. To oppose the errors, lies, and false doctrine came at a price. The desire to hold people accountable to the truth of God’s Word meant sacrifice and hardship. A parting of ways became the only plausible solution!
Paul ends this section by expressing a heartfelt desire to come to Philippi and renew relationships as soon as possible. He expresses his confidence that God will open the way to allow this to happen.
So, what is our takeaway from this text? I would commit to you the Word of God as an application of this text in our lives. But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” Luke 9:62. To be of proven character is to be faithful to God in all things from our family life to our service in the kingdom. May it be so for all of us!
In Christ,
Pastor Russ
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