I just love Paul’s introduction and greeting to the church at Philippi. Notice that he doesn’t introduce himself as an ‘Apostle’ as in most of his letters. Instead, he introduces himself, together with Timothy as “bondservants of Jesus Christ”. Paul’s letter is filled with thanksgiving, joy, and service. He encourages the Philippian Christians to “…be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and one mind”. His greeting “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Jesus Christ” demonstrates a loving and sacrificial partnership in the Gospel.
Paul and Timothy were vastly different. They had different gifts and ministries; they were different in age, different in both social and racial background, and most certainly different in personality. However, in their dedication and service, they served God together in perfect harmony. As Paul puts it in his introduction, they were serving God together as ‘Bondservants’ of Jesus Christ.
Just as Paul and Timothy were ‘Bondservants’ of Jesus Christ, so are we. Most Bible versions simply translate this as ‘servant’, but the actual word Paul uses is ‘doulos’ meaning quite literally ‘slave’. This can sound quite harsh, but with the word ‘bond’ added it describes someone who has made a loving commitment to their master and has ‘bonded’ to serve him for life.
Praise God, we are ‘bonded’ to Jesus who said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” – Matthew 11 v28, 30.
All of us are uniquely different but we are all ‘in Christ’. 1 Corinthians 6 v19 says that we are “…Bought at a price”. Yes; He “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” – Titus 1 v14.
Let’s be blessed and encouraged as we move on together, bonding to each other and to Jesus, who “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, He humbled Himself …and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” – Philippians 2 v6-8.
In loving bonds and serving God together,
Eddie.