Whatever is Better
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
Philippians 2:18-21
It seems that Paul is in a bit of a conundry certainly. There’s an issue here of having a problem and it spills over into the territory I’m afraid of what is the matter with you. In fact, so often some of us like to delve all into other’s personal business that we forget all about the Lord in our midst. Then again it’s something that no amount of liking will cure in particular. See, our Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever isn’t he there in the end. As Paul would often be fond of the saying, there’s joy and hope to be found with the Lord. The situation we’d just encountered of the people who’d come to faith in the Lord and also those standing in need of his Word might not make sense to you at the moment yet when our God’s in the room he can make even that as unto his throne, a sweet smelling savor, this blessed holy Savior to whom we have flown. In fact, he's the best refuge this world has ever known. At times you too might be like Paul in need of a helper standing in for the Lord or else just that of his Word. Then too again, there’s those others in which you’d have needed him who’s a very present help in times of trouble, whether this one right here that we’re in or just that of himself in the end. It might not make very much sense right now to have joy for the moment considering that the trial of our faith is supposed to work the patience it takes to know that all things will be set right in the end. In fact, that’s what Philippians is all about, the ability of Paul to be in trials or chains all for the sake of the gospel and the goodness of Christ in his life all the while finding more reasons that his joy might be full. It’s almost as though the gospel has come with a sword as filled with the cup of his fury in the hand of the Lord. Though to Paul it’s an offering much rather, just as his life, poured back out unto God. Though it’s good indeed to have those around who can know the state of us thus. It’s almost a like mindedness though as unto Christ wherein the fullness of the Godhead bodily dwelled. It’s a let this same mind be in you as in Christ Jesus there in particular who would not serve as a distraction for Paul. You see, when everyone’s seeking their own separate matters it’s hard to find Christ’s in particular. So then if there’s but ought of love and trust in the Lord to be found, it’s in this that he has a plan. Nor is it a plan as some often have of trust in themselves. In fact, it’s to prosper and not to harm us to give us a hope and a future. Wouldn’t you know though as so often is that all men are seeking their own things, that of this life without a care or concern for others in their midst or even the next. I could be just like Paul quoting God all day long and his promises back to calling down Scripture to speak on an issue. Though it’s nice at times not to have a do nothing God on the matter. He’s alive and well you see, actively involved in whatever we’d face and also his dealings for us, whatever we’d weather. Thus, it’s a perspective of just his plan always in mind, for as long as it takes, all the way to glory and back of being led by his hands, so also being tended and cared for by whatever his plans.