One of Paul's heroes was Epaphroditus, the messenger the Philippians had sent to the apostle to deliver their financial gift for his ministry. In Philippians 2:25-30 Paul lauds Epaphroditus' faithful service and calls attention to his personal sacrifice. Epaphroditus nearly died due a severe illness while serving Paul. Thankfully, God spared Epaphroditus' life by healing him. Paul sent Epaphroditus back to the church at Philippi with a letter and asks the believers there to honor Epaphroditus and people like him because he had risked his life to serve the Lord. One way to show such brave and selfless servants how much they mean to us is to follow their example.
Epaphroditus' example convicts me. It's easy to serve Christ when there is no opposition or hardship, yet Epaphroditus ministered even though it nearly killed him. Am I willing to take such a risk to obey Jesus and do His will? Lord, give me the courage to take the risks necessary to do your will.
There are missionaries on various fields whom I know and love that act very much like Epaphroditus. Malaria, exhaustion, robberies, threats, intense loneliness, and financial poverty are just a few of the hazards they've gladly endured because they love Jesus and the people they're trying to reach. You probably know people who have sacrificed themselves to take the gospel to other cultures and lands. God bless these faithful, fearless servants.
But I also think of several modern-day folks like Epaphroditus who have taken risks and suffered much to help me grow in Christ. My parents sacrificed much financially to send my brothers and I to a Christian school, and later helped pay for me to attend Bible college. Pastors like Bruce Dick, Ralph Wenger, and Gerald Carbaugh stuck out their necks for me when I was quite young and woefully inexperienced in the ministry and gave me a chance to serve, even recommending me to other pastors. They certainly laid their reputations on the line for me. There were friends like Bruce, Glenn, Steve, and Craig who had the courage to say hard things to me for my correction and betterment as a pastor. Harvey could have given up on our friendship long ago, but he pursued me and our mutual accountability. And then there's Dawn, my dear Dawn, who has forgiven and loved and forgiven and loved me some more. She of all people has suffered like Epaphroditus to help me grow more like Christ.
Take a careful look at your life. Who has taken a risk to help you become more like Jesus? Be sure to honor them. What will you do when a risk is required to help some you know grow up in Christ? Will you step forward to the challenge or fall back in fear?
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