The fascinating character of Philip has intrigued and challenged us for generations. He shows us what good friendships look like and how we can nurture a warm and welcoming society. His life and commitment are deeply relevant to us, especially in our modern times.
Let us study his life and find principles that we can adopt in our daily lives. Here are a few insights from the life of this interesting follower of Jesus.
Relationships Across Barriers
We see that Philip celebrates ethnic diversity and embraces cultural differences. In John 12, he helped a few Greeks to meet Jesus, even though they were considered to be Gentiles. We also see in Acts 8 that Philip travelled to a city in Samaria, even though the people there were considered to be outcasts. He also had a long conversation with an Ethiopian that lead to his salvation and baptism.
These instances show an interesting aspect of Philip that is deeply relevant in our divided world. Philip did not look down on anyone based on race, religion, or skin colour. He was equally available to serve everyone. As the body of Christ, we have to emulate this in our lives, especially in our modern times, where there is so much division and strife.
Carrier Of Joy
Lastly, we see that Philip brought joy wherever he went. In Acts 8, we read that Philip went to Samaria and preached about Jesus there. When they saw the signs and healings, they paid attention to what he said, and then ‘there was great joy in that city’.
Philip shared the joy of the Lord wherever he went. May this challenge us to bring joy everywhere we go just as Philip did, for the Joy of the Lord is our strength. Let our lives reflect the joy of salvation and the beauty of a close walk with God.
Conclusion
Even though Philip is mentioned only a few times, there is a lot that we can learn from his life and ministry. He serves as a good example of how we, as children of God, should treat each other. Let us learn to see beyond our differences and find meaning and purpose in reflecting the love of Christ.
Let this encourage you to seek Godly friendships, build relationships across barriers, and be a carrier of Joy wherever you go.
This is part 6 of the series “Following His Footsteps”.
For more Lenten Special articles
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