Are you in alignment with your assignment?

Are you in alignment with your assignment?

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32

Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains” (Jean-Jacques Rousseau).

What is freedom?

Freedom is a mind-boggling gift from the Father that enables us to lead a fulfilling, joyful, and responsible life. The emphasis on responsibility is crucial because every liberty comes with a corresponding responsibility. These freedoms aren’t without limits or restrictions. Someone cannot yell “Fire!” in a crowded movie theater when there is no fire.

A distorted interpretation of freedom equates it to unrestrained behavior. Those embracing a licentious lifestyle suggest that they possess an inalienable right granted by God to act as they wish, when they wish, where they wish, and with whom they wish, devoid of any control or limitations (Timothy M. Dolan).

Jeremiah 9:24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who practices unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!

The Father wants us to know and understand Him through a personal relationship. Once we recognize that the Father seeks a relationship with every child of the King, our working definition of freedom changes. True freedom is not simply about acting without restriction, but it’s about nurturing appropriate desires and aligning our lives with the Father’s plan. To put it differently, genuine freedom results when our desires coincide with the will of God.

The Father designed us to enter into and develop a relationship with Himself. He also created us to relate to those around us. Real freedom can be found in nurturing deep, healthy, close-knit relationships with both God and other individuals. Father has invited us to experience true freedom as we commit our lives to finding and fulfilling His plan for us. True freedom is found when we experience the life Lord Jesus Christ desires for us to live.

“Freedom means the opportunity to be what we never thought we would be” (Daniel J. Boorstin).

Let’s come back to our original question: What does it mean to be truly free?

The Father invites each one of us to experience the freedom that comes from committing our lives to His purpose for us and loving others. This is the only path to experiencing the rich life the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to live. Then, we are in alignment with His assignment for each of us.

REFLECT & PRAY

“True freedom is not the liberty to do anything we please, but the liberty to do what we ought; and it is genuine liberty because doing what we ought now pleases us” (D.A. Carson).

Father thank You that You invited me into a close personal relationship with You. As I draw close to You, I can experience true freedom.

INSIGHT

In a postmodern world, the hope of discovering absolute truth has been largely abandoned. Yet true freedom is tied to knowing the Truth. This presents a conundrum for those living in the 21st century. How can we be free without Truth? The Lord Jesus Christ makes an extraordinary claim.

John 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

“There is a world of difference between knowing something to be true in your head and experiencing the reality in your life . . .. Truly knowing God only comes through experience as He reveals Himself to you through His word and as you relate to Him” (Blackaby). Lord Jesus Christ is not referring to truth in a philosophical or abstract way. The truth He speaks up is not information alone.

John 8:36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

It is instead a statement about a living relationship with the Son of God, “the truth,” who gives freedom to human beings (Borchert).

There is more than one Greek word that is translated as know. The Greek word in use here rendered as know is ginosko. Ginosko has the sense of coming to know, recognize, or perceive. Ginosko is experiential knowledge.

“Many people have grown up attending church and hearing about God all their lives, but they do not have a personal, dynamic, growing relationship with God. They never hear His voice. They have no idea what God’s will is. They do not encounter His love firsthand. They have no sense of divine purpose for their lives. They may know a lot about God, but they don’t really know Him. Merely knowing about God will leave you unsatisfied” (Blackaby).

The human race was created in order to have a relationship with God and our fellow humans. Authentic freedom resides in nurturing wholesome, intimate relationships with both the Father and others. Hence, the freedom inherent in an abundant life can only be experienced via these relationships. This is the Father’s original plan.

The Father extends an invitation to all of us to embrace the freedom that comes from committing our lives to His purpose for us and cherishing others through relationships. This is the only path to experiencing real freedom that the Lord Jesus Christ desires us to enjoy.

What does it mean to know the truth? There is a close parallel here between “you will know that I am” John 8:28 and you will know the truth in verse John 8:32. This truth is neither abstract nor propositional. It is personal. Jesus is the Truth (John 1:14; John 14:3). Knowing Him (John 8:28) = believing in Him (John 8:24) = knowing the truth (John 8:32). It is more than knowing some facts about the Lord Jesus Christ. It is knowing Him in an intimate, personal way. Such “knowing the Truth” is a primary characteristic of the child of the King (Bryant and Krause).

“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought” (Pope John Paul II).

“There is a world of difference between knowing something to be true in your head and experiencing the reality in your life . . .. Truly knowing God only comes through experience as He reveals Himself to you through His word and as you relate to Him” (Blackaby).

“When Jesus said eternal life is knowing God – including God the Son, Jesus Christ – He did not mean that eternal life is knowing about God. He was not referring to someone who has read many books and attended numerous seminars about God. He was talking about a firsthand, experiential knowledge” (Blackaby).

When we initially accept Christ as our Savior, we are only introduced to Him. We do not fully know Him. Over time, we get to know Him better. The Lord Jesus Christ is unlike anyone we’ve ever known. There is no dark side to His character. There is no ugly side. He is not proud or selfish. There is no arrogance. His character is flawless. When we delve deeper into the Word, our understanding and knowledge of Him deepen as we connect with Him. We continually discover the magnificence of His character. (1 Peter 1:8; 2:7) (Richison).

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same” (Ronald Reagan).

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© Dr. H 2023

Cut it straight ∙∙

Cut it straight ∙∙

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:14-17

 14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

 15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.

 17 This kind of talk spreads like gangrene . . ..

Individuals who have spent years perfecting their sewing skills develop remarkable talent and expertise. The journey to successful sewing doesn’t start with the needle and thread, but rather, it commences with the selection of the fabric to be sewn.

Mastering the art of cutting fabric straight is crucial and cannot be stressed enough. A misstep in the initial cut can lead to a complete disaster. Fabric pieces that are supposed to align may end up being different lengths, leading to twisted or uneven seams.

It’s essential to cut the fabric “on the grain.” It’s imperative to align the material correctly and identify the weft, which is positioned perpendicular to the selvage (the densely woven edge of the fabric that stops it from fraying or unraveling). Conversely, the warp runs at right angles to the weft. By gently tugging a thread line on the weft and then one on the warp, you can establish two straight lines at right angles to use as a guide.

All you need to get started is the fabric of your choice, a blueprint or pattern to follow, and a cutting instrument such as scissors.

The apostle Paul was a tentmaker by profession (Acts 18:2-3). It was his  “day job.” He had mastered the art and skills required. Tentmaking was not for the faint of heart. Neither is handling the word of God or being responsible for explaining it to others.

Paul admonished Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth. The Greek word translated as rightly divide is orthotomeo. Orthotomeo comes from orthos – straight and tomeo – cut. This is an old tentmaking term that literally means to cut straight. As a figure of speech, it means to interpret, analyze properly, teach correctly, or expound rightly. Much like fabric, the word of God also requires accurate and precise handling. This refers to correctly and accurately interpreting, teaching, or explaining the word of truth (UBS). There’s no room for incorrect cuts, shoddy work, personal views, opinions, or laziness.

The Greeks utilized orthotomeo in three distinct ways. It was employed to depict a straight road across uneven terrain, for plowing a straight, unswerving furrow in a field, and the meticulous work of a mason in cutting and positioning a stone so it flawlessly slots into a building’s framework. (Barclay).

Any child of the King who studies the Word of God with the intention of imparting or instructing others assumes a tremendous responsibility. It is not for the faint of heart. Nonetheless, it’s the responsibility of each of His children to share His truth with others.

Reflect for a moment on the teaching you offer others. Is it just “good enough?” And what about the instruction you have received? Is it merely “good enough?”

Paul is saying, “Good enough” is simply not good enough.

James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well” (Philip Stanhope, 1746).

Father thank You for the outstanding and excellent teachers You have provided me over my lifetime. May I do my best when I prepare and share the magnificent truths found in Your Word.

INSIGHT

The Father sets an exceedingly high bar for us. His standard is nothing short of excellence. Would He have established such a lofty benchmark if He didn’t believe we could achieve it? To ask the question is to answer it.

Regrettably, in modern culture, the importance of quality is often undermined and downplayed. There’s a pervasive attitude that paltry efforts are “good enough.” Yet the results are frequently haphazard and slipshod. The prevailing sentiment seems to be, “What does it really matter?” Against this backdrop, the children of the King should feel privileged to have a benchmark of excellence for which to strive.

Don’t be disheartened; instead, be encouraged. While achieving perfection is highly unlikely, excellence is doable. However, excellence requires focus, time, commitment, and practice. Ultimately, we stand or fall before the Father.  

Matthew 25:23 Well done, my good and faithful servant.

The Father presents numerous opportunities for personal growth and development. His challenges are not designed to condemn us. Instead, they pinpoint where we are and the necessary actions we need to take to improve. The ultimate objective is to gain His approval.

The Greek word dokimos, translated as approval or stands the test, pertains to things that have passed a test. For instance, a clay pot must endure the test of fire. It’s placed in a kiln, fired, and then inspected. If it had no cracks, it was approved for service and was stamped dokimos. Dokimos “describes anything that has been tested and is fit for service. For instance, it describes gold or silver, which has been purified of all alloys in the fire. It is, therefore, the word for money which is genuine” (Barclay).

But how do we achieve this? Paul provides us with guidelines, including what to do and what to avoid.

Paul urges us to be zealous and diligent. The Greek word spoudazo, translated as be diligent or work hard, emphasizes the effort required to attain excellence. It implies being diligent, earnest, eager, and making every effort to do one’s best.

We should steer clear of pointless disputes over words and refrain from engaging in worthless and foolish conversations.

There’s a strange thing about foolish and worthless words. They spread like gangrene. They’re akin to gossip, which many people relish hearing and sharing.

Proverbs 26:21-22

 21 Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.

 22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person’s innermost being.

For the Father, the proper handling of His word, extracting the correct interpretation, and explaining it accurately are of utmost significance. Each of the Father’s servants will be either approved or ashamed. Therefore, be diligent, work hard, and make every effort to cut it straight.

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© Dr. H 2023

How to become real ∙

How to become real ∙

Long ago, the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself. – Jeremiah 31:3

Zephaniah 3:17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

“The Velveteen Rabbit” is a classic British children’s tale penned by Margery Williams in 1922. The story starts when a stuffed rabbit, sewn from velveteen, is gifted to a young boy on Christmas. He is given several other presents that are modern and mechanical. The boy plays with his other new presents and forgets all about the Velveteen Rabbit.

The oldest and most experienced toy in the nursery is the Skin Horse. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by and by, their mainsprings break, and they pass away. He knew they were only toys and would never turn into anything else.

One day, the Rabbit curiously asks, What does being REAL mean? “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” inquires the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” replies the Skin Horse honestly. “But once you are REAL, pain doesn’t bother you anymore.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real, you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

“I suppose you are Real?” said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

“The boy’s uncle made me Real,” he said. “That was a great many years ago, but once you are Real, you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”

The Rabbit is taken aback by this idea, doubting his chances of becoming REAL. However, one night, the boy’s Nana replaces a lost toy with the Rabbit for the boy to sleep with. From then on, the Rabbit becomes the boy’s most cherished toy, accompanying him on spring picnics and becoming an integral part of his life. The boy considers the Rabbit as REAL. Time passes, and the rabbit becomes shabbier but happy. He became REAL because of love.

Do you see yourself in this story? Are you the young boy, the uncle, the Skin Horse, or the Rabbit?

In reality, we might identify with all four of them in some way. I envy the Skin Horse, but I am probably more like the Rabbit, yearning to become REAL.

The Father God resembles the uncle – older, wiser, and has loved His children for a very long time.

REFLECT & PRAY

“God rejoices over you, though He knows you are in the process of becoming all that He has planned for you to become . . .. God is patiently molding and shaping you into the image of His Son” (Stanley).

Father thank You for loving me with Your everlasting love and drawing me to Yourself. Thank You for taking particular delight in me. You literally shout for joy as You embrace me in Your loving arms.

INSIGHT

Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness to myself.

The Father, in His boundless love, gently pulls us closer to Him. This makes us children of the King, but it doesn’t make us real. To become real, we must experience His love for a long time. Like mechanical toys, many of us seem to break easily, have sharp edges, or require a lot of special handling. So, in fact, He has been “handling” some of us for a long, long time. Some of the rough edges have been knocked off. We have received a few dings, but they have not been shattered. Over time, we start loving His tender touch and accepting His warm embrace.

But there’s more.

The Father desires to make Himself known to us in a very special way. Wherever we are, He wants to be right there in the midst of it all. In fact, He is.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

But there’s even more.

Zephaniah 3:17 For the LORD your God is living among you . . . He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

This verse expresses the Father’s feelings towards the children of the King. He takes “delight” in us. This could be translated as “He will be very happy with you” (UBS). “The great God not only loves his saints, but he loves to love them” (Matthew Henry). “God takes great delight in loving us because we are His very own” (Jerry Bridges).

The phrase, “You will rejoice over us with loud singing,” could be translated as, “He will sing and be joyful over you” or “You will make his heart full of joy, and he will sing loudly” (UBS). He is so delighted that He shouts for joy!

Take a moment and imagine what it’s like being at an athletic event where you are rooting for your team. Your favorite team wins the game. You get ecstatic. You shout, cheer, and literally jump for joy.

Imagine being at an airport, witnessing close friends or family members or a long-separated couple spotting each other. They rush towards each other, radiating exuberance of joy and happiness. They embrace, they dance a little, and perhaps a tear or two trickles down their cheeks.

The Tanakh, the Jewish translation of the Old Testament, renders Zephaniah 3:17 as “He will rejoice over you and be glad, He will shout over you with jubilation. He will soothe with His love.”

Bathed in His love, He cherishes expressing His love for the children of the King. Have you begun shedding any fur yet?

What a charming portrayal of how the Father makes us Real.

The Father takes personal delight in us. He is not remote, indifferent, or merely satisfied in a stoic way. There’s no emotionless contentment. Instead, He bursts into a joyous divine celebration: He rejoices over us with loud singing (ESV Notes).

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© Dr. H 2023

Does God really meet all my needs?

Does God really meet all my needs?

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

2 Corinthians 9:2-8

 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

 6 Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Financial investments carry some degree of risk. In modern times, relying on interest income instead of the principal is a wise economic approach for those aiming to preserve their wealth while having a consistent income stream. This method depends on the interest generated from diverse financial instruments. It enables individuals to protect their principal and economic well-being.

What happens when we give away our principal? That is what first-century children of the King in Philippi did when they invested in the kingdom of God. The Philippians were all in and committed to supporting Paul. They generously supplied all he needed to carry on his service for the Father.

Philippians 4:15-17

 15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this.

 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent help more than once.

 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

Those who are generous in their investments in the kingdom of God will discover that the Father generously reciprocates. How did the Father respond to their kindness and generosity? What did He promise?

He promises that their every necessity will be met in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Have you ever taken a moment to ponder the meaning and implications of Philippians 4:19? Do you suppose this applies to all children of the King? Many people do. However, it’s crucial to consider the old maxim: a text without a context is a pretext.

Simply put, interpreting a verse in isolation can often lead to misunderstandings. One must consider its context to fully comprehend and extract the truth from scripture. This approach allows for a more accurate interpretation. Further, understanding the author’s intent, the target audience, and the purpose of the scripture enriches its meaning. Another maxim comes into play here. Every scripture has one interpretation but many applications.

Paul writes to the altruistic Philippians. He expresses his deep appreciation for their financial assistance. He conveys reassurance that the Father will meet their needs (Stanley). Paul acknowledges their generous contribution made to meet his needs. Paul notes that their gift was offered to the Father to fulfill His purposes. Thus, their donation was a sacrificial offering to God. The Father owes nothing to anyone and never will. He is a debtor to no one. He reciprocates and rewards those who have given to Him. “God’s supply to the Philippians is considered a natural consequence of their generosity” (UBS).

Paul assures them that the Father will reciprocate and provide an appropriate return. He ensures the Philippians that “God will fill up every need of yours” (Fee).

REFLECT & PRAY

Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Father teach me to be generous and support Your kingdom work. You love a cheerful giver.

INSIGHT

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The Greek word rendered as supply or meet is pleroo. Pleroo means to fill, fulfill, complete, or satisfy. Figuratively, it has the sense of abundantly supply, richly in part, supply entirely, cause to abound, furnish, or supply liberally. It may be translated as fully provided for or to have all we need.

The Philippians are assured of a generous return for their support to Paul. The context of this pledge merits careful consideration. Paul addressed those who were actively involved in the Lord’s work. His declaration in Philippians 4:15 encapsulates his point: “God meets the needs of those who give to him” (Melnick).

“Paul looked on their missionary gift as an investment that would pay them rich spiritual dividends. . .. The church entered into an arrangement of ‘giving and receiving’; the church gave materially to Paul and received spiritually from the Lord. The Lord keeps the books and will never fail to pay one spiritual dividend! That church is poor that fails to share materially with others” (Wiersbe).

Why do you suppose the Philippians are now in need? Could it be that they have exhausted their financial resources? Have they used up their capital? “This assurance of the divine supply of the Philippians’ needs implies that they had given so liberally that they actually left themselves in some real ‘need’” (Homer A. Kent).

The Greek term translated as needs is chreia. Chreia denotes anything necessary but lacking. The Philippians contributed repeatedly, even to the point of personal hardship. They gave and gave again until it hurt. Their goal was to further the Father’s kingdom work. As a result of their generosity, they found themselves in need. How would they recover from this situation and recoup?

Proverbs 11:25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

The somewhat academic yet unspoken question is: how can God manage to reward all His children who have invested in His kingdom? How can He compensate everyone for their myriad acts of kindness and sacrifice throughout the ages? It doesn’t take much reflection to recognize the absurdity of this query. However, Paul offers a profoundly insightful response. The Father doesn’t just possess vast resources. His wealth is infinite. He has a claim to everything He has created and is the creator of everything. Paul adds a novel perspective. The Father has transferred all His wealth to the Son.

Philippians 4:19 . . . according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

This thought can be expressed “since my God has so much wealth through Christ Jesus” or “in view of the fact that God is so very rich through Christ Jesus.” “God’s wealth may be shared with others by means of Christ Jesus,” or “wealth which God gives through Christ Jesus.” (UBS)

But there’s more.

Here’s another valuable insight: When we dedicate ourselves to serving the King and carrying out the assignments, He entrusts to us, He ensures our needs are met. “When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will not lack for God’s supply” (Hudson Taylor).

“Paul does not see this gift as simply coming from Philippi. He sees it as the supply of his need from heaven. Paul’s trust was in the Lord. There is an interesting contrast between Philippians 4:18 and 19. We might state it this way if we were to paraphrase Paul: ‘You met my need, and God is going to meet your need. You met one need that I have, but my God will meet all your needs. You gave out of your poverty, but God will supply your needs out of His riches in glory!’” (Wiersbe).

No one cannot give God!

Try it for yourself and see.

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© Dr. H 2023

Minor characters ∙

Minor characters ∙

I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. – Romans 16:22

Philippians 2:20-22

 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.

 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.

 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

Edward Kimball, a man of the 1850s era in Boston, might not be a familiar name to many. He doesn’t even have his own Wikipedia page. He seems like an obscure figure in the grand scheme of the kingdom of God in 19th-century America.

However, when it comes to the kingdom of God, there are no minor characters. Every child of the King is precious to Him. The Father has kingdom work for every one of them.

Kimball was far from insignificant. He leaves an indelible mark on history through his kindness and genuine care for his students. As a Sunday School teacher, he was passionate about sharing the message of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross with his students.

On April 21, 1855, Kimball went to Holton’s Shoe in Boston to share the love of Christ with one of his students. This particular Sunday school student had shown little interest in God or the Christian faith. He found the teenager in a back room wrapping shoes. As Kimball shared his message, the young man listened carefully to what he had to say. On that day, he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart and became a child of the King. Later, he reflected, “I had not felt that I had a soul till then.” The young man recalled, “I was in a new world. The birds sang sweeter; the sun shone brighter. I’d never known such peace.”

He immediately began sharing his new faith with others. His family wanted nothing to do with his new beliefs. Undaunted, he searched for young men like himself and shared his new faith with them. When he tried to join the church, he was initially not accepted. Why? He was asked what Christ had done for him, and being somewhat nervous, he simply replied that he was not “aware of anything particular.” But eventually, things got straightened out.

That young boy was none other than D. L. Moody, who grew up to become one of the most influential evangelists of the 19th century, reaching an estimated 100 million people.

But that is only part of the story; the rest is even more amazing. Through his influence, F.B. Meyer became a child of the King, and a chain of faith began. Through F. B. Meyer, J. Wilbur Chapman became a child of the King. In turn, Chapman influenced Billy Sunday, a prominent 20th-century evangelist. Through the work of Billy Sunday, Mordecai Ham became a child of the King. Mordecai Ham became a preacher and evangelist. Through his efforts, in 1934, he led another young man to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: Billy Graham.

Edward Kimball serves as a potent reminder that what may seem insignificant in the world’s eyes plays a significant role in the kingdom of God. Edward Kimball’s story reminds us never to underestimate the result of sharing the love of the Lord Jesus Christ with just one person. His Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).

Ponder for a moment and play the “what if” game. What would have happened if Edward Kimball had not followed the Father’s leading on that April day in 1855 and decided he had better things to do?

Minor characters are nothing of the sort in the kingdom of God. Each child of the King is a work of art, a masterpiece that demonstrates the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ for all time and eternity.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

REFLECT & PRAY

There are no minor characters in the kingdom of God.

Father repeatedly remind me that I am precious in Your sight and You have kingdom work for me to do. Encourage me to finish my current assignment and lead me to the next.

INSIGHT

Who are some New Testament “minor characters” that are nothing of the sort?

First, there is the writer of the book of Romans. Paul was the author of Romans, but he was not actually the writer. Instead, Tertius wrote it.

Romans 16:22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.

In the first century, some individuals were professional writers and scribes. They were like modern-day stenographers who use shorthand to take down someone else’s words. Many modern-day secretaries also play this role. They are called upon to “take letters.” Someone else dictates the message, and they write it down.

In the first century, scribal assistants were commonly employed to write down the words and thoughts of another. This person was called an amanuensis. The otherwise unknown Tertius is actually the writer of Paul’s magnum opus, the magnificent book of Romans. Not too bad for a “minor character!”

In the 21st century, now more than ever, post-COVID, it is hard to get good help. But it has always been so. Paul had a particular problem with this. Many people attended to his needs, helping him and providing comfort and aid. But he had only one go-to person, Timothy.

Philippians 2:20-21

 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.

It’s surprising, but not many people know that the Bible addresses the issue of excessive self-love or narcissism. Paul even points out that a lot of people exhibit these traits. Timothy, on the other hand, was the exception. He was one of the many ordinary minor characters who was extraordinary.

What made Timothy extraordinary? The Greek word translated as no one like him, kindred spirit, like-minded is isopsuchos. This is a scarce word, only used once in the New Testament. Isopsuchos comes from isos – equal and psuche – soul, mind. It has the sense to be activated by the same motives, of like character, like-minded. It could be literally translated “like-souled.”

Paul implies that at their core, he and Timothy share a unique bond that isn’t replicated with anyone else. You might say in everyday English, “They were cut from the same piece of cloth.”

Paul and Timothy shared identical passions and perspectives. Their concerns and priorities were aligned. And when it comes to other people, they were genuinely concerned about their welfare. They put others before themselves.

On the other hand, Paul is saying he could count on Timothy like no one else. He is confident that Timothy shared his deep concerns of heart and would carry out his wishes. “In some languages, who shares my feelings is best rendered as “Who shares one heart with me.’ In other languages, one may say, ‘He has my heart and mind,’ ‘He thinks the same in his heart as I do,’ or ‘My thoughts are his thoughts’” (UBS).

In other words, no one was as close to Paul as Timothy. They shared a more profound bond than that of brothers or best friends; it was more akin to the relationship between a father and son. Such a deep companionship is a rare luxury.

This unique relationship meant that when Paul couldn’t be present, he could trust Timothy to represent him perfectly as if Paul himself were there.

“Others might be consumed with selfish ambition, but Timothy’s one desire was to serve Paul and Jesus Christ. He is the patron saint of all those who are quite content with second place, as long as they can serve” (Barclay).

Timothy serves as an ideal role model for us in our spiritual journey. He embodies the quintessential “minor character.”

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© Dr. H 2023