Considering a label we might like to wear: ‘There’s no one like him’

By Dean Collins

“There is no one like him.” That’s how Paul described one of his two friends in Philippians chapter 2. There are probably lots of reasons we might use that description of another person.

“There’s no one like Bob. He will do anything for a laugh.”
“There’s no one like Mary. She can hold the crowd speechless when she stands up to teach.”
It might be a compliment or it could be something far worse. “There’s no one like Mike. He will cheat in any game he plays.”

Paul used that line to describe his disciple Timothy. Paul’s plan was to send Timothy to Philippi since he was unable to go himself. “I have no one like him” was Paul’s opening comment about Timothy, and he went on to explain the reason. Timothy will be genuinely concerned for your welfare, Paul said. He isn’t like others who seek their own interest or fame. Timothy’s focus was Jesus. He learned that from his mentor and teacher, Paul, who learned it from Jesus.

Paul went on to mention a second friend, Epaphroditus. Paul described him as a brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, a messenger, and minister to Paul’s need. Epaphroditus had been very sick and nearly died. God had mercy on him and healed him. Paul also felt God’s mercy because he wasn't sure if he could have endured the sorrow of losing his friend after everything else he had been through.

Friends and partners

We should all have two friends as Paul described. But maybe the goal could be that we learn how to be a friend like the two Paul described. Paul would say these two men were life-giving to him. I suspect he would say that without them he couldn’t have endured and continued his ministry.

Timothy and Epaphroditus were friends and partners in Paul’s ministry. I am so blessed to have friends like these two. There are so many who pray for me, encourage me, support me, and help me in the ministry of leading Point University. Many who will read these words are among those I call friends. Some are my mentors, some are my colleagues, some I mentor, some are prayer partners, and some just show up regularly to check on me and encourage me. But all are friends and partners in the gospel.

Every relationship different

The secret to these kinds of friendships and partnerships is found in the second chapter of Philippians. In fact, the basis of relational ministry, social justice progress, marriage transformation, and even world peace can be found in the first 11 verses of Philippians 2. Here we learn what is the mind of Christ and how we can develop it in our lives. Wouldn’t you agree that if we took on the mind of Christ as Paul describes every relationship would be different?

Imagine what would happen in your home, church, business, or community if we did as Paul described: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more signifcant than yourselves.” Paul tells us to have that kind of mind as we live our daily lives. He said that it is ours in Christ Jesus. He then reminds us what Jesus did to lay this foundation for us.

“…though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

The love of Christ was so profound that he gave up status, privilege, and glory to come to earth, and live humbly by serving us even to the point of taking our sin to the cross with his death. And there our transformation was made possible. Our debt was paid. Now just as Jesus was raised from death, we are also called to live a new life in a new way.

The mind of Christ

Paul learned to live this way by the Spirit of Christ living in him. He taught Timothy and Ephaphroditus the joy of living this way. Their partnership and friendship changed the lives of many in the early church. Choosing to live with the mind of Christ changes every relationship. It brings a dynamic power to every place where it is practiced.

It shouldn’t be our goal to be mentioned by name. But when we take on the mind of Christ and live the life of Christ, transformation will occur where we live, work, play, and walk. I suspect someone will probably say, “You know (fill in your name)? There’s no one like them. They don’t seek their own interests. They are genuine and are concerned for others.”

The more followers of Christ are described like that the sooner we will see the return of Christ in glory.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:1-11,‬ ‭20-22, 25-30‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Chris Liverani at unsplash.com

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