The Joy of Kindred Spirits - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

"Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:1).
Despite their shortcomings, people of kindred spirit are precious gifts from the Lord.

Timothy was Paul's trusted companion in the gospel. In Philippians 2:20 Paul describes him as a man "of kindred spirit." That is, they were likeminded, sharing the same love for Christ and His church.

Elsewhere Paul described Timothy as his beloved and faithful child in the Lord (1 Cor. 4:17) and fellow worker in the gospel of Christ (Rom. 16:21; 1 Thess. 3:2). Those are significant compliments coming from Paul, whose standard of ministry and personal integrity was very high.

However, as godly and useful as Timothy was, he apparently struggled with many of the same weaknesses we face. For example, 2 Timothy implies he might have been intimidated by the false teachers who challenged his leadership (1:7). He perhaps was somewhat ashamed of Christ (1:8) and tempted to