“Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men…
“I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him.” 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; 12:18
Paul names many servants of Christ in his letters. Fellow missionaries, church leaders, varied ministers are often described, commended, and greeted. His repeated mention of the mysterious ‘brother’ to the Corinthians highlights the aim of his life: Christ exalted, self abased. A fellow traveler with Paul, an earnest and dynamic preacher of the gospel, a stalwart among missionaries, he remains nameless, ‘the brother’ hidden behind the Lord he portrays.
Oh, how man relishes being famous! Striving to be known for achievements, acquaintances, attainments, endorsements, individuals pose and post, present and pop off to put their names in lights. Pretense and puff, any notoriety for temporal accomplishments and superficial experiences, are spiritually insubstantial in God’s sight. There may be no hiding of opinion or activity, but likely much concealing of an empty soul.
For the Christian, the gospel is primary. Those sold out to Jesus want Him seen, known, and adored. The richer our relationship with Him, the more He increases and we decrease. We live and serve to make Him famous, to glorify His name, increasingly fulfilling our God-created purpose. Is this our desire? (Isaiah 49:3; John 3:30; 1 Corinthians 2:2-5)
We may say we want to honor God, but what do our words and actions betray? Are we more about posturing self, or presenting Christ? Does insecurity or fear hide our faith, or do we gladly, boldly, hide behind Him?
What evidence is there in our demeanor, attitudes, actions, and speech that we’ve been marked by the Word? How does it daily adorn our countenance, shape affections, inform decisions? How can we, as a called brother or sister, serve earnestly, befriend faithfully, and preach honorably, so Jesus Christ- His name and power and graces and salvation- are made famous?
Worthy Lord, cover me in You so my life brings You alone the praise and fame You deserve.
