I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
The theme of Philippians is joy: joy in pain, in service, in whatever situation you find yourself. For Paul found joy even in a jail cell.
Today let continue the study of Paul’s greeting to the Philippian church. As stated before most of Paul’s letters in the New Testament start with love and grace but also with firm rebukes to the sin or disputes happening in the churches his missionary work founded. His greetings to the church of Philippi are different.
Paul finds rest and joy in the Partnership of Fellow Believers
Does Paul’s joy mean there is so sin amongst them, that there were no quarrels or disputes that he had the wisdom to rebuke? Of course not. Even those who are saved through Christ battle the selfish desires of the flesh.
But the Philippians clung steadfastly to the truth of the gospel. They prayed earnestly and sought wise counsel when needed. There was no need for Paul to assert himself over the leadership, which gave him the ability to express his joy in having the companionship of these godly men and women.
When we seek advice, or yearn for depth, it is not the flashy and shallow of the world that we should seek but the harbor of Christ amongst his people.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ then my prayer for you is that God surrounds you with bible believing Christians who will open their arms to you. That you will find a family within the church that may not share your DNA but are bonded with through the blood of Christ. A family that will love you as Christ does, that will challenge you each day to become better, who will lead you to a closer relationship with God.
Prayer
Lord, You are the creator of the heavens and the earth, you knit me together in my mother’s womb, You know me better than I know myself. I pray Lord that you lead me to a church family that will strengthen my walk with you. That you will bind my wandering heart to you by placing those who love you and know your word in my life, who will give me wise and truthful advice. I thank you Lord for the work you have started in my life, and I praise Your name for you will never forsake me nor abandon me. Lord, I pray that you help me be a benefit to my church family, that you open my eyes to see where I can serve, and you open my heart to the people you have placed into my life. In Jesus’ Holy and Powerful name I pray. Amen.
