christian relationships
"Paul, by the will of God an apostle of Christ Jesus sent to proclaim the promise of life in Him, to Timothy, my child whom I love." —2 Timothy 1:1-2
Paul considered Timothy and Titus his spiritual children (2 Tm 1:2; Ti 1:4). Paul remembered them in his prayers "constantly, night and day" (2 Tm 1:3). When Paul and Timothy went their separate ways to serve the Lord, Timothy broke into tears (2 Tm 1:4). Paul felt so close to Titus that his very presence lifted Paul's spirits (2 Cor 7:6). Both Timothy and Titus were accountable to and submissive to Paul. Timothy obeyed Paul by staying on in Ephesus although he may have wanted to quit that ministry (see 1 Tm 1:3). Titus obeyed Paul by taking on the exceptionally difficult ministry of appointing presbyters in every town of Crete (Ti 1:5).
Paul's relationships with Timothy and Titus are a good model of authentic Christian relationships. These relationships are Christ-centered, prayerful, submissive, deep, loving, pure, and self-sacrificing. The Lord wants to gift us with these kinds of relationships. If we die to ourselves and obey the Lord, He will give us relationships of unconditional love, permanent commitment, and deep joy. Let Jesus be Lord of all your relationships.
Prayer: Father, may my relationships not be conformed to this world, but transformed by Your Spirit (see Rm 12:2).
Promise: "The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather One That makes us strong, loving, and wise." —2 Tm 1:7
Praise: Sts. Timothy and Titus obeyed their spiritual father, St. Paul, and showed many the Way to the Father (see Jn 14:6).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Who Am I In Christ? or our four-part series of audio tapes starting with AV 7A-1 or our two-part video series starting with V-7A.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2008
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