Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Emptiness of Self-seeking

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. (Philippians 2:19-24, NKJV).


Timothy was the Apostle Paul's protege, his son in the faith. Timothy's mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, are mentioned in the New Testament by name, and were Jewish. His father was Greek. Timothy, whose name means "honoring God", was well-schooled in the Scriptures from childhood, and joined Paul as a convert to Christianity in Lystra, after which Paul arranged for him to be circumcised so that he would cause no offense to the Jews to whom he would be sent to evangelize. He became Paul's constant and loyal companion, accompanying him even into prison. Eventually, he took over the leadership of the church in Ephesus, and tradition indicates he died as a martyr to his faith.

There was a sincerity and steadfastness to Timothy, and although it appears he had weaknesses, both physical and spiritual (who doesn't?), he remained loyal to Paul, and more importantly, to Christ no matter what the circumstances. Here, Paul commends him as being the only one at that time who had not abandoned the ministry, and who had not forsaken the well-being of the church at Philippi to seek their own, and not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

This is phenomenal statement in that it illustrates, not only Timothy's faithfulness, but also that, at times in the apostle's life, Paul was abandoned by those who paid lip service to faith and fellowship, but who were at heart self-seekers. Self-seeking is the emptiest profession imaginable, and the easiest career at which to become proficient. It is the most natural occupation in the world, and the least rewarding in the long run. At its heart, is the ruthless sacrifice of every relationship, every endeavor, and every act of kindness that is not deemed sufficiently self-rewarding. Every word, action, purpose and strategy is done with an overriding ulterior motive of self-satisfaction. Nothing is sacred. Truth is irrelevant, and in the end, despair and loneliness is the result. And along the way are the discarded husks of relationships that were cast aside after their usefulness came to an end.

Although there were some in Paul's life like that, Timothy was the exception. He was a true companion, of the same mind, selfless in his care for others, and a man of proven character. That word "proven", is the same word used repeatedly in the New Testament to indicate something, or someone, who has passed the test of being genuine; of being the real deal. And his relationship with the Apostle was that as a son with his father. This is a beautiful portrait of interpersonal fidelity that comes with faith in Christ; thicker than blood, more lasting than the planet itself. And his partnership with Paul was in the service of the gospel, perhaps the noblest endeavor in all Creation. As a father and son team, they were indomitable, not for themselves, but for the glory of God.

Yet, despite their closeness, Paul was not unwilling to send his "son in the faith" as a delegate of comfort and support to others. Despite his own imprisonment, the whole thrust of this letter to the church was to care for them, and their state. So Paul sent his trusted companion on a mission of significance and two-way solace, to inform the church of Paul's condition, and to subsequently console Paul with news of their condition. Partners like that are truly gifts from God, rare as diamonds, more precious than gold, of eternal pricelessness. Sometimes they are found in the church, sometimes in marriage, but only in Christ, never in the world. For the apostle to desire to send Timothy as soon as possible to Philippi was a declaration of his trust of the man, and his deep regard for the Philippians. And even in declaring that trust, he bespoke his greater trust in the Lord, the he, himself, would come shortly.

Both Timothy and Paul sought first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, with everything else coming in as not even a close second. They were both examples of seekers-after-God, and not self-seekers. They lived lives of others-centeredness so comprehensively that they willingly suffered the loss of all things on behalf of the greatest conceivable benefit to others - the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

This is the only sensible perspective and strategy of life for a follower of Christ. It is the only reasonable and rational response to knowledge of, and faith in, the Lord. What does it matter, Jesus Himself taught, if a man became the most successful self-seeker in the history of the universe, gaining ownership of the whole world, and renown from all its inhabitants, if in the process his eternal soul is lost forever? What does it matter if you attain the popularity or good reputation you seek if you do so at the expense of truth and faith? What does it matter if you are loved by the world, but by your self-seeking priorities prove that you are at enmity with God?

It is no surprise, then, that we are taught by Christ Himself that if you love your life in this world, you will lose it. And he who seeks his life in this world, who is a self-seeker, will lose not only life, but self, forever.