Title /Philippians 2:25-2:30
There are many different kinds of people living among the people. Happy and unhappy, rich and poor, busy and easygoing, ungrateful and virtuous, arrogant and humble, deceiver, jealous, sociable and not , meek people, there are various kinds of people, but if you can divide them into two, you can divide them into those who are recognized and those who are not. In the text, it is written about a person who has been recognized by people. He was recognized by the saints as a shepherd. How, then, can we have such trust in each other, and how can we participate together?
First, the saints and the shepherd must be essential to each other (verse 25).
Second, the saints and the shepherd become joyous when a true and transparent life is realized toward each other.
The saints must also live a life of truth toward the shepherd. In order for a transparent life to be possible, it is possible only when we become believers who know how to submit to the authority that God has established.
If everyone's hearts were filled with the mind of Christ, they would be able to lay everything down for one another and discuss all matters without fault. Only when I can understand the commands God is giving to me and willingly give it to me without worrying about all the parts of my life that I need to obey, can I be accepted by God and enjoy the joy of small achievements. The heart of Christ is a heart free from resentment and quarrels, and a heart that considers others better than mine, without envy and strife. I will have to entrust each moment that is given to us to the Lord and decide what I have to give now. We should give ourselves up to the Lord to lead us appropriately, and we should live a life of joy because we are faithfully presented before the Lord with a sincere heart without fault.
Third, the shepherd and the saints are essential to each other, and there is joy when they not only live a life of truth and transparency, but also respect each other.
The shepherd was called before the Lord to serve his whole life, devoted only to the work of Christ. There are many things in the world, but saving the souls who will die forever is more precious and important than any other work, so it is a life in which you have decided to give up your worldly things and give yourself completely to the Lord, and to have nothing but the Lord. That is why we live a life where we can throw our lives away with all of our body, mind, mind, and devotion. Also, it is struggling to fill the lack of the saints. If there is a person who is physically weak, we pray with all our passion as if we were praying with our problems to the Lord for the things of the flesh. The same is true of spiritual things. While preparing the Word, we not only want the word to be preached to be a word that can be applied to the lives of the saints, but also earnestly wish that the entire life will be carried out just like the preached word in real life. A shepherd who is offered only for Christ should be recognized and cherished by the saints as someone with double respect (verse 29).
“Receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such as they are” (Philippians 2:29). And those who labor will be added.”, knowing them as people with double respect (v. 17), provide them with what they need (v. 18), and sound a warning to beware of slander against the shepherd (v. 19).
1 Corinthians 16:15-18 says, "...Be in subjection to all those who work and toil with such people... They have refreshed your hearts with Me, therefore, know these people." .
Also, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says, "...Know those who labor among you, who rule over you and admonish you in the Lord, and cherish them most in love because of their work, and be at peace among yourselves." say We will now have to check our appearance. If you are going to live a life of blessings from the Lord, you will need a life that does your best for the church of God, not for the benefit of yourself alone. Now, when we look at each other and look forward to the beautiful work that the Lord will accomplish, live a transparent and true life, cherish the shepherd, and live that life faithfully. There will be praise. This work will not be finished today, but it is an immediate task that we must all run on until the day of the Lord's coming. Shalom